“To smile, to laugh, to shed a tear, to dream, to be challenged, to hope, to be inspired. What more could one want from a night out!” - ArtsHub

Hidden Republic reveals the undiminished spirit in the music of Aboriginal Australia and songs which honour identity and understanding for all Australians. It celebrates songs of hope and resistance in an uplifting concert experience which delves deeply into the songbook of contemporary Aboriginal music to reveal the renewed promise of ‘post apology’ Australia.

The Black Arm Band is a collection of many of Australia’s most influential and iconic musical talents including Jimmy Little, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Dan Sultan, Shane Howard, Mark Atkins, Lou Bennett, Emma Donovan, Bunna Lawrie, Shellie Morris, Stephen Pigram, Ursula Yovich and Bevan Gapanbulu Yunupingu with special guest Genevieve Lacey.

In a powerful and symbolic collaboration, The Black Arm Band is joined on stage by a 33 piece western orchestra and blistering jazz section as Hidden Republic reveals the vast reservoir of optimism and joy in the music of Indigenous Australia. 

For more information on The Black Arm Band, click here.

Developed and produced by Arts House, a City of Melbourne contemporary arts initiative.

To view the Festival First Night 2010 Minisite, click here.