The Great First Nations Songbook - Darwin Festival

Presented as part of Darwin Festival 2026

Join celebrated 'Quandamooka Crooner' Adam James and his band The Dreamtime Swing as they take you on a musical journey of swing and soul.

This performance features the beloved hits of Australia's iconic First Nations musicians, reimagined with the electrifying flair of 1960's big band music.

The Great First Nations Songbook: A Night of Swing and Soul is a celebration of First Nations song from the last 60 years. Opening with 'Royal Telephone' by Australia's very first pop star, legendary Yorta Yorta singer Jimmy Little, and closing with Yothu Yindi's 'Treaty', you'll be taken on a musical journey underlined by swing and soul.

Featuring songs by First Nations music makers like Troy Cassar-Daley, Coloured Stone, Dan Sultan, Pirra, Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach and Busby Marou among others, this is more than a concert - it's a celebration of heritage, harmony and Dreamtime swing that will captivate audiences with its toe-tapping rhythms and soulful melodies.

Get a unique glimpse into the heart of Adam James' creative journey as he brings the best of Blak Australian music, and the stories behind it, to new audiences and new heights.