Yilila perform high energy reggae and world music with displays of colorful traditional Red Flag dancing. Their live performances are filled with energy, culture and stunning singing. Yilila sing powerful songs sung in Nunggubuyu, Anindilyakwa, Maccassan language and English.
Yilila / Artistic overview
Yilila lead singer/songwriter, Grant Nundhirribala, has had professional experience dancing and singing with Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australian Ballet Company and Yothu Yindi and members of Yilila performed at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games. Red Flag Songs and Dances belong to the band’s Nundhirribala clan and have come from hundreds of years of contact with the Maccassan traders from Indonesia. Grant was the winner of ‘Best Male Musician’ and ‘Best Act’ at the 2006 NT Indigenous Music Awards.
Information / http://www.yilila.com
Yilila’s songs are rooted in traditional Aboriginal, reggae and rock music and from there they look to the rest of the world for inspiration and sounds. Yilila have previously collaborated/performed with artists like Zakir Hussein, Raka Mukherjee, Sultan Khan, John Butler and David Bridie. Yilila’s first CD Manilamanila won 2 awards at the 2005 Indigenous music awards for ‘best release’ and ‘song of the year’ and was nominated for ‘best artwork’. The music is based on songs, dances and stories unheard and unseen by international audiences.
