We acknowledge the sharing of this land with all three tribes, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri and acknowledge that this was known as a gathering place for each tribe to come and trade. We acknowledge the sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural cost of that sharing and in the hopes that we may walk forward together in harmony and spirit of healing. We would like to pay our respects to each tribe and also acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.
Sunday 27 November
The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock
Macedon Ranges, VIC
GATES OPEN: 1PM | CONCERT BEGINS: 2PM | CONCERT FINISHES: 10PM
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Mushroom Group, the Victorian Government, and Bad Apples Music announce First & Forever – a new, day-long festival celebrating Blak excellence and the irrepressible force that is contemporary First Nations culture and music. Artists from multiple nations will converge on Victoria’s most spectacular stage, The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock on Sunday 27 November for this landmark music event.
Hand-picked by Bad Apples Music founder, rapper and author Briggs, the collected artists represent the myriad forms and genres through which First Nations culture continues to evolve, a dizzying procession of acts interwoven in short, uninterrupted sets.
Gates to the picnic-style event will open from 1pm, with music running into the night. Artists will showcase a set on one main stage, located at the foot of Hanging Rock – one of VIC’s most majestic and significant backdrops, and one befitting the performers’ awe-inspiring talents. A venue previously reserved for international performers, it’s a fitting setting for a bold and inspiring collection of First Nations talent.
Curated by Briggs (with a special thank you to Paul Kelly), the First & Forever line-up features 20+ supreme talents – from acts at the top of their game to iconic, progressive trailblazers, song writing giants and jaw-dropping, effervescent party starters.

















Country is Birdz (Butchulla). Rather than focussing on besting his rivals in the rap world,
Birdz’ sites are trained on the bigger picture. Capable of ingenious sleights of hand, his
wordplay exposes toxic colonial nationalism, under the cover of lullaby beats, on the track
‘Aussie Aussie’. On his Hottest 100-featuring hit ‘Bagi-la-m Bargan’ he goes for
overwhelming directness instead, linking First Nations peoples’ continued resilience in the
present day to the defiance of his Butchulla ancestors as they encountered Captain Cook’s
first fleet. Birdz is here to carry you above the fray.





Kalyani (Trawlwoolway) explores dance music from across the globe. She takes a confident and idiosyncratic approach to her sets, which can traverse bass-heavy genres including booty bass and trap; or transport audiences with gems of Turkish and Hindi pop rarely heard in clubs this side of the equator. As much as Kalyani is firmly embedded in the underground of Naarm’s club scene, her years of songwriting experience means melody remains an essential element of her sonic tapestry.

Eleanor Dixon (Mudburra)
Janey Dixon (Mudburra)
Kayla Jackson (Mudburra)
Beatrice Lewis (Welsh/Scottish)


Sunday 27 November
The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock
Macedon Ranges, VIC
General Entry $79 for everyone 12 years and over
Entry for kids under 12 is free
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We acknowledge the sharing of this land with all three tribes, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri and acknowledge that this was known as a gathering place for each tribe to come and trade. We acknowledge the sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural cost of that sharing and in the hopes that we may walk forward together in harmony and spirit of healing. We would like to pay our respects to each tribe and also acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.
