Barunga Festival 2025: Thelma Plum, East Journey and J-Milla to headline line-up
Multi-award winning artist Thelma Plum will headline the outback festival as the only NT stop on her national album tour. SEE THE LINEUP.
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Acclaimed singer-songwriter Thelma Plum will headline Barunga Festival next year, marking the only NT show on her Australian national album tour and the first time the festival has been headlined by a woman.
She will be joined on the line-up by Northeast Arnhem Land rock-royalty East Journey, performing a special reunion show after almost a decade since their last performance.
Darwin born brothers J-Milla and Yung Milla will return after this year’s high energy performance, arriving at the community a few days prior to work with youth and smash out a DJ set for the local blue light disco on Friday night.
Female rapper Kootsie Don, and a rare solo performance by Yolngu songman Rrawun Maymuru (from East Journey and Yothu Yindi) round out the line-up so far.
The next artist announcement will be made in the new year and will add an extensive line up of local talent, along with launching a new stage and a Yidaki competition, a fashion show and lots more for a full program of music, dance, sport and culture.
Barunga, an Indigenous cultural festival entering its 37th year, will take place June 6-9 at the namesake community 80km southeast of Katherine.
“We are thrilled to host the Barunga Festival on our country and share our rich cultural heritage with everyone,” traditional owner Esther Bulumbara said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate our traditions, and engage with visitors in a meaningful way.
“We are thrilled to announce that acclaimed singer-songwriter Thelma Plum will headline the festival.”
A Gamilaraay woman from Brisbane, Thelma Plum has cemented a name for herself in Aussie music.
Her debut album Better In Blak became one of the most successful albums of 2019, nominated for seven ARIAs and spawning three Platinum and one Gold single.
Barunga Festival tickets are on sale now.
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