Nabarlek is one of the bands synonymous with Indigenous rock in this country today. Rounding up their Queensland tour at the Cairns Civic Theatre on March 10, they brought the house down. The audience was dancing in the aisles in the second set when this nine-piece group from Manmoyi in Western Arnhemland got the place rocking.
The anthem "Free" had everyone joining in the stand up, rise up for our people reprise. A dedication to George Rrurrambu from Warumpi Band was delivered to rapturous applause. Like Warumpi Band, who recorded the first ever rock song in an Aboriginal language ("Jailanguru Pakamu" in 1983), Nabarlek performs its songs in both the Kunwinjku language and English.
The best thing about Nabarlek, whose music is a riot of ska, reggae and bar-room rock, is that they know how to have fun with their music. A rendition of Men at Work's "Land Down Under" was adapted as only they could.
Nabarlek has two albums: Munwurrk, meaning "Bushfire", and Bininj Manborlh, meaning "Blackfella Road". The nine musicians are Ross Guymala, Terrah Guymula, Stuart Guymala, Rodney Naborlhborlh, Leon Guymala, Marshall Bangarr, Benjamin Buranali, Winston Naborlhborlh and Berribob Watson.
Keep an eye out for future tours to experience Nabarlek live. To hear some tracks from Bininj Manborlh, visit