Tiwi Islands notes to fill town hall

Horsham Town Hall patrons will be able to ‘journey’ to the Tiwi Islands through a performance of ‘Mamanta’ on Saturday.

Building on its international touring acclaim, seven-piece Tiwi Islands band B2M – Bathurst to Melville – is on its first major national tour.

The band will showcase its unique blend of contemporary and traditional sound for an 8pm performance that reveals the breadth of Tiwi culture and identity.

Mamanta – meaning ‘friend’ in Tiwi – is a cultural experience told through a mix of music, multi-media and song.

In an historic show of support from Tiwi elders, B2M has permission to use traditional Tiwi chants and blend them with modern musical elements.

Combined with vivid multi-media imagery of contemporary arts and cultural practices, Mamanta brings the Tiwi Islands to life.

Band member Jeffrey ‘Yello’ Simon said the performance drew on a strong tapestry of stories, including ‘our own songlines that have never left the Tiwi Islands’.

“Mamanta is unlike anything ever seen. We have never created a show that shares our experience this fully,” he said.

From ancient stories to life today, Mamanta honours the past and celebrates the future.

“Like the paintings that reflect the depiction of country, our songlines demonstrate our journeys, our history and our community,” Yello said.

Formed in 2004, B2M features Tiwi men who write, record and perform music that transcends cultural, social and geographic boundaries.

Promoters describe the band’s music as unique and infectious, ‘filled with beats, chants and harmonies that showcase their ability to carry a positive image of their people and culture through RNB, Tiwi style’.

“For us, the message that B2M shares is the most important facet of our music,” Yello said.

“Steering clear of catchy love-songs, we focus on bigger issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and understanding identity.”

Mamanta is directed by Gail Evans and produced by Artback NT and Skinnyfish Music.

B2M band members are Shelton Murray, Greg Orsto, Fabian Kantilla, Daniel Cunningham, Damien Narul, Darren Narul and Yello.

The band’s three-month tour started in Port Pirie, South Australia, and involves 30 venues across Australia.

Horsham Town Hall member tickets are $20, members concession $15, adults $30 and concession $25.

People can book by calling 5382 9555 or visiting website horshamtownhall.com.au.