The Desert Divas Showcase of Indigenous female performers was an amazing experience at the Alice Desert Festival. A huge crowd packed into the Play Stage tent on Anzac Oval, to witness the birth of professional singing and performing careers for five young Indigenous women from the Alice Springs and remote regions.

 

The Desert Divas workshop series kicked off in Alice Springs at CAAMA Studios on Wednesday September 7, in preparation for the Desert Divas Showcase – part of this year’s Alice Springs iNTune Music Conference program. The artists participated in a skills development workshop in the lead up to the their performance, mentored by NT singing legend Shellie Morris.

The Desert Divas are: soul and blues singer Jacinta Castle from Alice Springs (Catch The Fly), singer and guitarist Cassandra Williams from Hermansburg, R&B singer Kirra Voller from Alice Springs, MC extraordinaire Kylie Sambo from Tennant Creek and soul singer Catherine Satour from Alice Springs,

Shellie Morris (left) also performed at Desert Divas, relating her own experience as a female Indignous performer in the Territory, which she described as not “difficult – but you are very alone”. She praised the young women as “brave” and was clearly proud of their efforts.

Jacinta Castle‘s acapella song ‘Money Problem Blues’ seriously showed off her abilities as a singer – a huge hit with the crowd – as was rapper Kylie Sambo’s incredible hip hop performance. Performing original songs about life in Tennant Creek, she stole the show rapping with confidence of a a veteran performer.

Although nervous Kirra Voller bewitched the crowd with her heartfelt songs and gentle style; Catherine Satour showed what she was made of – a giant confident voice – and Cassandra Williams‘ beautiful guitar matched her equally beautiful voice.. every member of the crowd was audibly moved and inspired by the remarkable show.

Equally inspired by her fellow performers, Jacinta told the crowd that “Bush Bands Bash boys better watch out!” Interviewed earlier in the week, she also said she was “absolutely wrapped” to be performing at the Desert Divas Showcase, adding that part of her mission was to “inspire other young people who want to follow their dreams”.

Everyone of the Desert Divas showed amazing talent and the tent was charged with an excitement reserved only for those who are on the verge of something great. And adding to the energy, famous musicians signed up at the last minute to be in the Divas backing band. According to Shellie Morris, they “learned the songs in 10 minutes flat” the morning of the gig. The band included Warren H. Williams on guitar, Baden Williams on bass and Buzz Biztrop on drums.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

Desert Divas: Indigenous Women’s Music Showcase is also another initiative presented by Music NT, designed to showcase emerging contemporary Indigenous female musicians and singers from Central Australia in front of the national industry.

See all of the pictures from the Desert Divas here.

Words: Megan Spencer