Dan Sultan in Darwin on June 21 to play with DSO for Garrmalang Retrospective

A popular seven-time ARIA Award winning singer-songwriter and guitarist has made his way to the Northern Territory, with the Indigenous artist preparing to perform this weekend.

“It’s not always easy,” said Dan Sultan, the seven-time ARIA Award winning singer-songwriter and guitarist. Picture: John Feder / The Australian

“It’s not always easy,” said Dan Sultan, the seven-time ARIA Award winning singer-songwriter and guitarist.

“Not every night is a good night, and there are some shows that you would rather forget. But when you zoom out a bit you realise how fortunate you are to be able to do this sort of thing.”

It’s this gratitude and love for performing, the 41-year-old Arrernte-Gurindji alt-rock artist says, that drives him.

On Saturday, Sultan will take centre stage with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra Quintet at the Darwin Entertainment Centre for what he hopes to be a “beautiful” one-night show.

Sultan has performed in the Northern Territory multiple times in the past. Picture: Supplied.

The show comes as part of the Garrmalang Retrospective, marking the 10th anniversary of the Garrmalang Festival.

Sultan, who performed in Darwin multiple times last year, will ride solo for the show’s opening, sharing some of his new, unheard songs for fans to relish.

“I was actually doing some final touches in my notes while I was on the plane, too,” he said.

After a short intermission, he and his fellow bandmates will return to the stage to perform, before later bringing on the DSO Quintet to wrap up the night.

Sultan hopes he can treat Territorians to a good night.

“We’re all just trying our best, and I think this concert has the potential to be a nice part of someone’s day,” he said.

“I know a lot of work has gone into the festival over the last 10 years, so it’s wonderful to be up here and be able to make a small contribution to a large triumph like this.

Sultan says he has a strong connection to the Northern Territory. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Although he now lives in Melbourne, Sultan says the Northern Territory still connects with him on a personal level.

“It’s wonderful here in Larrakia Country… it’s a beautiful part of the world,” he said.

“And I have a connection here; I have a lot of family here and I used to live here when I was a kid, so it’s special for me.”

To purchase tickets for the show, follow the link here: https://bit.ly/GRDanSultanDSO

Originally published as Dan Sultan in Darwin on June 21 to play with DSO for Garrmalang Retrospective