Image: RISING - The Wilds by Eugene Hyland

RISING Festival Launches In Melbourne CBD w/Sampa The Great’s ‘An Afro Future’

After enduring two years of cancellations, Melbourne’s RISING festival kicks off today (1st June). The festival runs until Sunday, 12th June and the program includes dozens of recognised local and international musicians, as well as dance, theatre and visual arts.

Sampa the Great presents An Afro Future at Forum Melbourne tonight (1st June) and tomorrow, 2nd June, launching the festival in style. An Afro Future will include a special headline performance from Zambia-based Sampa Tembo and support from Mwanjè, KYE and C.FRIM.

The list of international acts making the trip to Melbourne for RISING includes Moses Sumney, Masego, Baxter Dury, Lucy Dacus, Shabazz Palaces, Midori Takada, Chai, Buffalo Daughter, Boris, Arab Strap, Kelly Lee Owens, Ana Roxanne, Andy Shauf, Yussef Dayes and more.

The program also includes headline shows from Tkay MaidzaHarvey Sutherland, Ed Kuepper w/Jim White, The Goon Sax, and the exclusive RISING commission Wurukur Djuanduk Balag — Ancestors Are Calling.

The RISING festival program includes a raft of quality local support acts, such as Becca Hatch (Masego), Our Carlson (Baxter Dury), Snowy Band (Lucy Dacus), Teether & Kuya Neil (Shabazz Palaces), Rot TV (Boris), OK EG (Kelly Lee Owens), Wilson Tanner (Ana Roxanne), Sweet Whirl (Andy Shauf) and EXEK (The Goon Sax).

You can find the complete program on the RISING website and get your tickets here.

Must Read