Gurrumul on stage performing with Saltwater Band in 2008.

Saltwater Band, Tableland Drifters, Warren H. Williams and Belyuen Kenbi Dancers performed at the 7th annual Indigenous Music Awards, Saturday August 28th, 2010, at the Darwin Amphitheatre, George Brown Botanic Gardens. Indigenous singer Ali Mills – seen on Sunsrise singing her hit ‘Waltjim Bat Matilda’ – and APRA NT’s Rob Collins MC’d the event. The IMAs is a key music event in the Darwin Festival calendar.

Three of the headline acts performed new material from forthcoming albums: Elcho Island’s Saltwater Band (includes band member Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu), 2009 Hall Of Famers  Tableland Drifters from Tennant Creek (‘Land Down Under’ is their new CD), and Warren H. Williams from Ntaria (Hermannsburg).

Known as a ‘night of surprises’, the IMAs is featured impromptu performances by musicians attending.

The 2010 IMAs are part of NT Music Month. Read more about the IMAs here.

Words: Megan Spencer