2026 Band Lineup
WHITEWATER BAND
(FROM WALANGERI SINGING IN NGARINYMAN & ENGLISH)
Whitewater Band are a Walangeri (Yarralin Community) band from the Northern Territory, sharing stories of culture, Country and community through their music. Formed in 2001, the band spent years developing their sound before recording and releasing their songs in 2023. Their music blends reggae, rock and contemporary influences, featuring powerful storytelling and the voices of their community. With a passion for sharing their culture through performance, White Water Band continue to connect audiences through their unique sound and journey from Yarralin to the wider world.
Desert WIND Band
(from Yuendumu and Nyirripi, singing in Warlpiri & English)
Desert WIND Band was originally formed in Nyirripi community in 2015 and has performed live at several community concerts, including Kiwirrkurra’s 40 Year Celebrations concert (2023), broadcast on ICTV. The music video for their single ‘Ngurra Nyirripi’ has had 5000+ streams on ICTV Play, and they continue to develop their Walpiri reggae sound with members from both Nyirripi and Yuendumu.
Fejo & The Cruizers
(from Ntaria, singing in Western Aranda & Luritja)
Fejo & The Cruizers is only a very recent venture, formed in Ntaria/Hermannsburg 130km west of Mparntwe/Alice Springs. Lead by renowned multi-lingual instrumentalist Jamie Fejo, the band has been taking out prizes all year at community football music competitions, including first place at the recent Papunya Sports weekend (2025). Managed by the NARBZ MEDIA team, Fejo & The Cruizers has brought their live show to several venues in Alice Springs and are set to take the NT music scene by storm.
Garrangali Band
(from Baniyala, singing in Yolngu Matha & English)
Garrangali Band (Garrangali means “home of the crocodile”) is a Yolngu saltwater ska/roots and reggae group from Baniyala outstation, North East Arnhem Land. Their particular brand of upbeat, offbeat riddim’ combines traditional songlines and rolling basslines, inspiring old and young alike. Wowing crowds for over 15 years, career highs include four category wins at the NIMAs (2010); performing at the 20th Garma Festival (2018); an East Coast tour including Island Vibe Festival (2024) and headlining this year’s Yarrapay Festival in Yirrkala.
Ilkari Maru
(from Amata, singing in Pitjantjatjara & English)
Ilkari Maru is a Central Australian band originally formed in the 1980s. Liam Tunkin has been working hard to revive his father’s legacy by carrying on the band with Webb Burton and other prominent musicians from the APY Lands. They play country rock music and the original lineup of the band released two albums through CAAMA Music: Ilkari Maru (1984) and Lightning Strikes (Wangangarangk Rungkanu) (1987).
Jessie K Music
(from Mareeba, singing in English)
Jessie K is a proud Kukudjengan/Mulirijdi woman from North Queensland. Largely self taught, her unique blend of alt-country and folk music is deeply personal, shaped by lived experience and cultural connection. Jessie first joined MusicNT’s Desert Divas program in Mparntwe in 2017 and went on to perform at her first Bush Bands Bash. She’s grown into a Diva’s mentor since returning to her hometown Mareeba, where she’s become a regular on festival stages including Tablelands Folk Festival (2023), Yungaburra Folk Festival, and Shine at Gimuy (2024).
Katrina Connelly
(from Irrunytju, singing in Pitjantjatjara & English)
A proud Pitjantjatjara woman, lifelong musician and gifted storyteller, Katrina Connelly writes and performs songs from the heart – singing in Pitjantjatjara and English about culture, family, and life on the Lands (Ngaanyatjarra ‘NG’ Lands). Whether on stage or behind the keys, her voice is soulful, strong, and grounded in Country. She has performed with Desert Rain Band, Irrunytju Band, Docker River Band and UPK, and is preparing to record her debut solo album in 2025–26, bringing together years of experience and original songs.
Matalja
(from Rubibi, singing in Djugun, Yawurru & English)
Tornina ‘Matalja’ Torres is an independent singer-songwriter, producer, and creative based in Rubibi/Broome, Western Australia. A proud Gurrimba skin woman, she has ancestral ties to the Djugan, Yawuru, Karajarri, Jabirr-Jabirr, Nyul Nyul, Barrd, and Bibulman nations. Her original, self-produced music blends contemporary sounds with traditional influences, speaks to identity, healing, and cultural connection. Her track Malu Mabu Liyan won the WAM Song of the Year – Outstanding Indigenous Category (2021) and features in the Australian feature film Sweet As.
MutitJulu Band
(from Mutitjulu, singing in Pitjantjatjara & English)
The Mutitjulu Band is a Desert Reggae Band from Mutitjulu Community at the base of Uluru in Central Australia. They sing in Pitjantjatjara and English. Their songs are powerful and speak of their land and their culture. They return to Bush Bands Bash after last participating and bringing their reggae sound to the stage in 2019.
*Please note, Mutitjulu Band has replaced Sandridge Band on this year’s lineup.
Moonlight Reggae Band
(From Wanarn, singing in Ngaanyatjarra & English)
Moonlight Reggae Band is a roots reggae group with desert rhythms from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands of Western Australia, led by Isaac Bates. Known for heartfelt harmonies and desert reggae spirit, their lyrics speak to the beauty and challenges of life in remote communities — love for family, pride in culture, and a deep respect for Country. They lit up the Bush Bands Bash stage in 2021, and have since continued to grow in strength and confidence, developing a loyal following across the Lands.
THE WAIT IS OVER!
The time has finally come to announce the incredible lineup for Bush Bands 2026!
The competition this year was fierce, with so many amazing applications coming in from remote communities all across Australia. A huge thank you to every single band and Diva who took the time to apply, the talent out there is unbelievable.
Our judges had a tough job, but they’ve picked this year’s outstanding acts to take the stage.
These legendary musicians will be taking part in Bush Bands Business, a music industry development camp before bringing the heat to the live stage at Bush Bands Bash in front of over 3000 people at Mparntwe’s Telegraph Station!
Keep your eyes peeled on our socials over the coming weeks as we introduce each act one by one!
Huge congratulations to the selected lineup.
