The Sydney Opera House revealed to Wednesday a new platform to celebrate the unique songlines of diverse First Nations communities from across Australia.
The new event - SongRites - take over the Western Foyer venues of The Sydney Opera House from the 3rd – 6th of September, 2025.
Through broad forms of contemporary storytelling, SongRites will continue the living history of Tubowgule as a place of cultural exchange and creativity.
The program is anchored by artists committed to the retention of cultural practice and language, offering Sydney audiences a rare opportunity to connect with regional and remote First Nations cultures. Sydney Opera House's head of First Nations Programming Michael Hutchings shared details on the upcoming line-up of First Nations artists set to showcase their enduring connections to country.
"SongRites is a celebration of the diverse and constantly evolving cultures that have thrived across the continent for millennia. The extraordinary artists we've assembled harness modern disciplines to share ancient traditions and languages in powerful ways using music, dance, screen and ceremony," he said.
On the 5th and 6th September, Song Rites will showcase the Arrkula Yinbayarra (Together We Sing) performance. Hailing from the remote Gulf of Carpentaria, this show is a passionate reclamation of the critically endangered Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Gudanji and Marra languages.
A celebration of resilience through music, it's created and performed by the Borroloola Songwomen with proud Yanyuwa and Wardaman woman Dr Shellie Morris AO, recently honoured by Creative Australia with the 2025 Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership. This will also be the performance's Sydney premiere.
Also taking place on the 6th of September is the Singing Up Country – Stories, Songlines & Sisterhood conversation event. Created as an extension of Arrkula Yinbayarra, this intimate panel presentation with the Borroloola women is a personal glimpse inside the journey of creating their new album on Country and a rare behind-the-scenes look at life in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria.
The new SongRites event will also host a series of short films and documentaries including a screening of the iconic documentary-style, Wrong Side of the Road, a drama following the highs and lows of life on the road with groundbreaking Aboriginal bands No Fixed Address and Us Mob.
Set to be an engaging and jam packed few days, First Nations creatives and communities are already looking forward to this years September event.
SongRites will take place from Wednesday the 3rd – Saturday 6th of September, 2025. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday the 27th of June.
For more fashion, arts, culture and lifestyle news subscribe for free to the Style Up newsletter.
