‘lt took away a bit of the pain’: Blak Powerhouse to return on January 26

First Nations rapper Nooky grew up dreading January 26. So the idea of spending the day at an institution that holds some painful memories for his people may not seem to make sense.

But Nooky, aka Corey Webster, a Yuin and Thunghutti man from Nowra, changed his mind last year, when 3000 people turned up to Powerhouse Ultimo to see him and other First Nations artists including ARIA nominee Barkaa perform.

Warriors founder Nooky (Corey Webster) at Powerhouse.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

“I’ve never really had good emotions on that day until last year when we did Blak Powerhouse,” the rapper, radio host, and founder of social enterprise We Are Warriors says. “lt took away a bit of the pain that day usually carries … I was blown away by the amount of support and love and joy that was in the room.”

Blak Powerhouse returns to Powerhouse Ultimo on January 26 this year, with a music line-up including Maanyung, Mi-kaisha, Rona, Miss Kaninna and Becca Hatch, and guests including ABC News Breakfast host Tony Armstrong and musician Ziggy Ramo.

Lisa Havilah, chief executive of the Powerhouse Museum, is proud that the venue can be part of shifting ideas about January 26: “[Blak Powerhouse is] really taking a very contested day and creating a space that’s about First Nations positivity and talent and creativity.”

Webster says it’s especially important to host the event after the failed Voice to parliament referendum: “You come here, and you’re going to hear the voice that they denied. That voice will be loud on the night.”

He adds that the impact of the referendum is being felt in the way that people speak about January 26 on social media: “You see [people write], ‘January 26 is coming around the corner. We voted no, we don’t have to deal with this stuff any more’. It’s ugly out there.”

Webster recalls feeling “worthless” when Australia resoundingly voted “No” on October 14. But that spurred Webster to change his plans for the 9pm New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Sydney, which was curated by We Are Warriors and creative studio R/GA.

He says: “We went hard with the messaging on New Year’s Eve, putting up onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge a direct message to my people that got hurt [“You are loved. You are seen. You are heard”]. I think it was needed.”

The Powerhouse collection holds many Aboriginal artefacts, including tools and weapons, as well as archives and photographs, and contemporary works by Aboriginal artists.

Powerhouse Associate Director First Nations, Beau James (left) with Nooky.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

Havilah says the way the Powerhouse collects Aboriginal artefacts has shifted recently to being led by First Nations curators and communities. “We’re caretakers of First Nations materials instead of owning them,” she says.

Hosting Blak Powerhouse at Powerhouse Ultimo then holds an extra layer of meaning. Webster explains: “Institutions like this, some of their archives, there are things in there with painful memories attached to them, so to come into a spot like this and breathe life into it and paint it with our colours, it felt healing.”

Webster is excited to make the 2024 event even bigger than last year – with art and photography exhibitions, a film premiere, market stalls for Aboriginal-run businesses, and a panel discussion titled Blak Power and Excellence.

He hopes that young people having access to artists, musicians and guests including Armstrong will demonstrate that they too can follow those pathways: “That’s what it’s all about: showing options to our youth, creating that betterment for my people and uplifting moments for my people, and combatting the stereotypes and the negativity and the racism.”

Blak Powerhouse is at Powerhouse Ultimo on January 26.

The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.