Uncle Archie Roach remembered at National Indigenous Music Awards

Artists cover well known single in touching tribute to the late Archie Roach. SEE ALL THE PICS HERE.

3 min read

August 6, 2022 - 11:30PM

Northern Territory

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FIRST Nations musicians have left audience in tears as they paid homage to their Uncle Archie Roach at the 2022 National Indigenous Music Awards.

With thousands gathered on Larrakia land Emma Donovan and songman Fred Leone led a cover of Roach’s 2012 single We Won’t Cry with nine other artists.

“This is something real special, and this is the way we know how to pay our deepest respect,” said Donovan, who often collaborated with the late Roach.

“If there’s anything I’ve learnt from them two beautiful people (referring to Roach and his late wife Ruby Hunter) it’s that you can say what you need to say in a song,” she said.

Yirrimal’s classic Yolngu calling opened the tribute sending shivers through the audience and instantly captivating their attention. A silence fell over the Darwin Botanical Gardens as Roach’s own words rang out.

“If your burden’s too heavy, Then it’s gonna break you. And you might go crashing,” sang Leone.

The classic reggae tune continued as images of Roach’s life rotated on the screen behind performers.

The touching tribute was televised live for audiences across the country.

SEE ALL THE PICS HERE:

National Indigenous Music Awards

A touching tribute for the late Yolngu songman Gurrumul who was inducted into the NIMAs Hall of Fame the 2022 National Indigenous Music Awards. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

National Indigenous Music Awards

Archie Roach Tribute

THE AWARDS WRAP

11PM SATURDAY 6 AUG: DUBBED one of the nation’s top music events, the National Indigenous Music Awards have recognised those past, present and emerging in the industry.

After winning five consecutive Best Artist of the Year awards from 2008-2012, the late Yolŋu songman Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was inducted into the Hall of Fame in an emotional tribute.

The blind guitarist and vocalist, who passed away in 2017 joins fellow singer-songwriter Uncle Archie Roach NIMAs’ revered ranks, whose recent life and passing was also celebrated in a surprise tribute.

Emma Donovan and Fred Leone paid tribute to Roach’s ground breaking career and tireless advocacy for First Nations people with a rendition of his own single We Won’t Cry.

Archie Roach. Picture: Supplied.

Overall, much like the arts and fashion awards this week, Territory artists proved they are the best in Australia taking out five of the eight music awards.

For the third time Baker Boy, Yolŋu man Danzal Baker, took out Artist of the Year and his first ever Album of the Year titled Gela. In previous interviews Baker has described the album as an “experience of duality” where he transitions between his life living as Yolngu man under his skin name Gela and as Baker Boy, the artist.

Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung indie artist Jem Cassar-Daley’s fast rise to success won her New Talent of the Year after the 2021 release of her debut EP, I Don’t Know Who to Call.

Yolngu surf-rock band King Stingray have received the coveted Song of the Year award for their single, ‘Milkumana,’ which signals the kind of success projected for their debut album, released on Friday.

Producing the finest First Nations clips of the year were Barkaa, the Malyangapa and Barkindji woman who was awarded Film Clip of the Year for her banging tune, ‘King Brown,’ and Indigenous Outreach Projects who earned Community Clip of the Year.

The Archie Roach Foundation Award went rapper and drummer Dobby, Rhyan Clapham.

Northern Territory Arts Minister Chansey Paech in his opening speech said the artists and music celebrated at NIMA are shaping our society.

“All of the artists we are celebrating this evening are in some way , creating messages that thread and shape our race relations, gender equality and even identity,” he said.

“By providing a platform for the celebration of our Indigenous artists we are actively acknowledging this powerful intersectionality of music, society and culture.”

The night concluded an enormous week celebrating Indigenous fashion, arts, and music in the Territory.