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, songwriting giants and jaw-dropping, effervescent party starters. Artists include:

BAKER BOY, BUDJERAH, JESSICA MAUBOY, KING STINGRAY, SYCCO, THELMA PLUM, ALICE SKYE, BUSBY MAROU, CHRISTINE ANU, DAN SULTAN, ELECTRIC FIELDS, EMMA DONOVAN, TASMAN KEITH, ZIGGY RAMO, BARKAA, BIRDZ, DAMEEEELA, JESS HITCHCOCK, JK-47, KARDAJALA KIRRIDARRA, KOBIE DEE + MORE

Tickets ($79 general entry + fees for 12 years old and over) go on sale Friday 14 October (11am AEDT) via firstandforever.com.au. Frontier Members can access the Frontier Pre-sale, which starts Tuesday 11 October (11am AEDT), see website for more details.

The wheels propelling First & Forever began turning following a chance encounter between Briggs and the late Michael Gudinski AM, founder of Mushroom and a lifelong champion of First Nation talent. In one another, each found a fellow creative instigator and source of inspiration.

Briggs wasn’t the only person MG reached out to…

Matt Gudinski, Mushroom Group Chief Executive said:

In honouring those who have paved the way for First & Forever’s unparalleled artist line-up, performances will take place on the ‘Uncle Archie Stage’ – an homage to the late Uncle Archie Roach. With the blessing of his Foundation, the Uncle Archie Stage will be the setting for celebrating a legacy of Blak excellence and a grounding presence for our First Nations artists.

The peoples of the Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung have long gathered on the lands where First & Forever is hosted, working with each other and First & Forever to name the location: The Gathering Place – a name that acknowledges the power of Country to build community, communication and an equitable future.

It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

For transport details (including fee parking for vehicles with more than four attendees, bus services from Melbourne and shuttles from Woodend – full event info and tickets, head to firstandforever.com.au.

** Media: for interviews with the First & Forever artists, please get in touch

FIRST & FOREVER
​THE GATHERING PLACE, HANGING ROCK
​NOVEMBER 2022
​Presented by Mushroom Group, the Victorian Government and Bad Apples Music
​With thanks to Paul Kelly AO
​Hosted by the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung. Supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria.

FRONTIER MEMBERS PRE-SALE
​via firstandforever.com.au
​Runs 24 hours from: Tuesday 11 October (11am AEDT)
​or until pre-sale allocation exhausted

GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE
​Begins: Friday 14 October (11am AEDT)

Sunday 27 November
​The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock | Macedon Ranges, VIC
​Licensed. All Ages – free entry for Under 12s
​Ticketmaster.com.au | 130 100

Patrons are advised to purchase tickets only through authorised ticket sellers. We cannot guarantee any ticket purchase made through any means other than the official ticketing agents listed on the Frontier website.