Following back-to-back wins at the ARIA Awards and the J Awards Film Clip of the Year, activist, author and proud Warnindhilyagwa woman from Groote Eylandt and Milyakburra/Bickerton Island Emily Wurramara has announced a round of encore tour dates in February and March across Victoria, WA, South Australia, New South Wales and the ACT in support of her multi-award-winning album NARA.
The initial album tour featured multiple sold-out shows, including headline gigs across Dharawal Country/Wollongong, Ngunnawal Country/Belconnen and Naarm/Melbourne. Gracing the stage once again in 2025, the encore dates will see Wurramara playing in varying formats that showcase her skill and sleek melodies, taking the audience along with her on a profound journey of growth and healing.
"I want to say how honoured I am to be the first Indigenous woman to win the Best Adult Contemporary Album Award ever in ARIA history. I'd just like to acknowledge all the Elders and all the mob who came here in order for me to be here. NARA is a big album for me, and I am so so honoured to be receiving this nod and recognition - big love, and thanks everyone for the support," she said.
ARIA shared the news expressing they were just as thrilled to see the talented artist recognised for this achievement.
"We're thrilled to acknowledge Emily Wurramara's historic achievement in becoming the first Indigenous woman to win the Best Adult Contemporary Album ARIA Award for NARA. The album debuted at #17 on ARIA's Aus Albums Chart on September 2 and was awarded the ARIA for Best Adult Contemporary Album at the 2024 ARIA Awards on November 20. Huge, well-deserved congratulations to Emily and all involved in this incredible album and historic achievement," the ARIA team said in a joint statement.
Co-produced by Wurramara and James Mangohig (A.B. Original, Daniel Johns) and recorded at Boat Ramp Studios on Larrakia Country, NARA features many of the singers most popular singles including 'STFAFM' ft. Arringarri, 'Lordy Lordy' ft. Tasman Keith, as well as 'Magic Woman Dancing' and many more.
A self-described "rebirth" album named for the Anindilyakwa word for "nothing", NARA - debuting at #17 on ARIA's Aus Albums Chart, #9 on the Digital Albums chart, and #6 on the AIR Albums Chart - has attracted high praise from musicians, actors, comedians and media figures alike from The Wiggles to Nicky Winmar, Barkaa to Ben Lee, Fanny Lumsden, Sean Millis and many more.
The album beckons listeners through portals on a journey of growth, that sees Wurramara tracing intense highs and lows - from winning accolades and taking her music across the world, losing her house in a fire, giving birth to her daughter and struggling with her mental health - to her ultimate arrival at peace in the knowledge that: "It was when I had nothing, I realised I had everything".
Rollicking mental health anthem and current single 'STFAFM' features Wurramara's brother - spoken word poet Arringarri in his musical debut - who joined her onstage for the first time during the album's initial tour run.
Having already made appearances at prestige venues like the Sydney Opera House, in addition to countless festivals and events such as A Festival Called Panama, Groovin The Moo, RISING, Bluesfest, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Sydney Festival and many more, Wurramara is building a stellar reputation as a live performer.
With new tour dates added and national recognition from the ARIA team, Wurramara's career is facing nothing but a trajectory of growth. The talented artist is at the forefront of the First Nations music industry.
NARA ENCORE TOUR DATES
Fri 7 Feb – Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country VIC
Sat 8 Feb – Treaty Day Out, Gunaikurnai Country VIC
Sat 15 Feb – Riverboats Music Festival, Yorta Yorta Country VIC
Sun 16 Feb – Perth Festival, Whadjuk Noongar Country WA
Fri 7 Mar & Mon 10 Mar – WOMADelaide, Kaurna Yerta SA
Fri 21 Mar – Music Lounge (Great Southern Nights), Wollongong, Dharawal Country NSW
Sat 22 Mar – Belco Arts Centre, Canberra, Ngunnawal Country ACT
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