For ARIA Award-winning rapper Adam Briggs, clarity — in this case, within the howling vortex of misinformation and division on the Voice to Parliament — can be found by going back to his roots.
The Yorta Yorta man is returning to Shepparton this Friday, October 6, to deliver his own sonic conversation starter.
With an impending referendum and seemingly no music-related events in the works, Briggs decided to break new ground on home soil and organise a unique concert at the Shepparton Showgrounds, Yorta Yorta Woka.
The rapper announced Now & Forever on Friday, September 22, featuring some of the biggest names in Australian music: A.B. Original, Baker Boy, Barkaa, Emma Donovan, Hilltop Hoods, Jimmy Barnes, Mo’Ju and Paul Kelly.
“They’re all mates, acquaintances, great supporters; I wanted to show the country of Shepparton, where I grew up,” Briggs said.
“I didn’t want to do (the event) in a city like Sydney or Melbourne; they get enough. I wanted to bring something home.
“I think we get forgotten about a lot. It’s important to go back.”
Now & Forever is an all-ages, all-inclusive event aiming to create a dialogue through music beyond lyrics alone.
“I wanted everyone to be able to come — No voters, undecided, everybody,” Briggs said.
“This is about celebration, inclusivity, solidarity, positivity and listening, as much as it is about a Voice.”
For those following Briggs on social media, the Australian artist’s passion to bridge the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians comes as no surprise.
Pre-referendum, Briggs was already making a titanic impact on the First Nations community.
His record label, Bad Apples Music, was founded in 2015 to support and mentor new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and the Adam Briggs Foundation, established in 2018, continues to play a vital role in filling the gap of representation for First Nations people in creative industries.
As the referendum day (October 14) looms, Briggs has been incredibly vocal about his stance on the Voice and its impact on First Nations people via social media.
“The importance of voting Yes for me was about not reinforcing the fractured dialogue between Indigenous Australia and the rest of Australia,” he said.
“I felt like a No result would only reinforce that negativity and a lack of understanding.
“A Yes, I feel, would say the conversation continues, and we’re going to work together to achieve something.”
Briggs understands that a majority Yes vote won’t travel the whole distance of solving the stark disadvantage and inequality in Australia.
Still, it would pave a path forward for work to be done from October 15 onwards.
“I don’t believe people are sitting in their lounge rooms or at the pub debating the sanctity of a constitution they haven’t read,” he said.
“Anything I can do to expel myths and misinformation and push a positive outcome is what I’m going to do.”
Said positivity permeates Briggs’s voice as he speaks about what he’s most looking forward to at Now & Forever — everybody coming together and making memories with the other artists.
“Most of all, I’m happy to bring something like this to the GV,” he said.
“I’ve got a feeling there’ll be a lot more going on than what’s on the poster. I’m excited to see what happens.”
Now & Forever is on Friday, October 6 at the Shepparton Showgrounds, Yorta Yorta Woka.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.au/nowandforever
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