The festival will be opened and headlined by Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji woman and renowned performer Emma Donovan.
Emma’s performance in partnership with Singing Our Futures will also serve as a fundraiser for the Archie Roach Foundation, following the passing of the First Nations music legend in 2022.
The festival will also see the return of the Smith Street Dreaming event, celebrating the footprint of Koorie history in Collingwood and Fitzroy and featuring some of the top First Nations musicians and artists.
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A celebration of local music, the diverse line-up of live shows will hit venues across Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Collingwood, Abbotsford and Richmond from Thursday 13 July. Opening the festival this year is Melbourne music legend, Emma Donovan, with a fundraiser gig for the Archie Roach Foundation. Donovan will play alongside local talent, Kiwat Kennell and Kee’ahn at The Corner Hotel in Richmond on opening night Thursday 13 July.
Over the last year the Archie Roach Foundation has been hard at work with the inaugural program ‘Singing our Futures’ (SOF), is a mentorship experience that helps emerging First Nations artists on their songwriting and recording journeys. As a part of this program, Emma Donovan has been mentoring Kee’ahn who will be joining her on stage.
The much-lauded Smith Street Dreaming program is back, celebrating the footprint of Koorie history in Collingwood and Fitzroy and featuring some of the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and artists.
The impressive line-up also includes local legends Cash Savage, Thando, ZÖJ, Porpoise Spit, Ayebatonye, Makepisi, Eamon McNelis’s Skellingtons Quartet & Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo, MzRisk, THANDO, Parsnip and so much more.
Punters can enjoy a smorgasbord of gigs and events spanning a broad range of musical genres from electronic to hip hop to jazz and rock. Events for all age groups and every budget, including plenty of free gigs are on the program.
“Yarra is the beating heart of Melbourne’s live music scene. Council is proud to host an event that, for over a decade, has supported local musicians, music venues and industry, through the quieter winter months,” Mayor Claudia Nguyen said.
It kicks off July 13. To learn more about Leaps And Bounds 2023 visit the website: https://www.lbmf.com.au/.
