Contemporary Music

Get ready for a musical journey with Music in Exile, where artists from Brazil to Eritrea, Zambia and beyond share their stories through sound. Each performer is deeply connected to their community and celebrates their cultural lineage with heart and…

String to String is a unique musical collaboration that bridges cultures through the universal language of music. Featuring Iris, an accomplished Chinese guzheng performer, and Dan, a professional Vietnamese musician specialising in traditional instruments like the bamboo xylophone and harp,…

Fifth of Nisan is a seven-piece powerhouse blending Eastern European klezmer with jazz, pop, and world music for an electrifying sound. Hypnotic trumpet lines, virtuosic clarinet solos, and haunting violin melodies weave through infectious dance grooves, driven by a dynamic…

Cait Lin 凱琳 is a bilingual singer-songwriter whose music bridges cultures with soulful jazz, R&B grooves, and poetic storytelling. Raised between Canberra and Asia and now based in Taipei, Cait blends Mandarin and English in songs that explore identity, longing,…

The Silent Rave turns Glebe Park into an open‑air dancefloor where everyone can choose their own beat. Festival‑goers can grab a headset and switch between three Multicultural Dance Music channels, including a live DJ bringing global rhythms to life. Whether…

Brindabella Chorus is an award‑winning women’s barbershop ensemble bringing bright harmonies and big energy to the festival stage. Based in Canberra, this passionate group blends powerful vocals with plenty of personality, creating performances that are as joyful as they are…

Super Rats bring the vibrant sounds of Romania’s backstreets to life with a thrilling mix of traditional tunes and infectious rhythms. At the heart of their music is the cimbalom—a rare instrument that blends the charm of a honky-tonk piano…

Meet Currency Baba, a trailblazer in Australia’s Afro-beats scene! Since his debut single Testimony in 2016, Osamagbe Promise Edugie—better known as Currency Baba—has been breaking boundaries and topping charts, with hits like Me and You landing on Apple Music’s Top…

Jing Lei brings the soul of Chinese music to the stage with heartfelt performances in Mandarin. Her repertoire spans traditional folk tunes, classical poetry, and melodies passed down through generations. Using authentic vocal techniques, Jing captures the beauty and emotion…

Botswana-born and Australian-raised, KG is a powerhouse of talent—an Afro and Hip Hop musician, DJ and qualified Afro dancer with over 20 years of experience. Backed by his band and dancers, KG delivers an electrifying live show that blends music,…

Let Ricardo and Roberto Steyer take you on a musical journey to Brazil! Known as the Steyer Brothers, this talented duo has been captivating audiences for over 20 years with their mastery of classical and 7-string guitar. Their show, Violão…

Karisha & The FunKaars light up the stage with a high‑energy fusion of East‑meets‑West sounds. This seven‑piece Canberra band blends Indian classical, folk and spiritual music with jazz mash‑ups, Bollywood beats and irresistible grooves. Led by Karisha, a classically trained…

Kaarj is a Nepali-Bhutanese Australian DJ whose sound reflects the heartbeat of Canberra’s multicultural community. Raised in the capital and deeply proud of her heritage, she creates electrifying sets that fuse global rhythms with contemporary beats. Expect a vibrant mix…

Queen of Hearts reimagines the mariachi tradition with a bold, cross-cultural twist. This all-female ensemble blends authentic instrumentation—guitar, vihuela, violin, trumpet and percussion—with lush harmonies and dynamic arrangements. Their performances feature original compositions alongside fresh interpretations of classic Mexican repertoire,…

Charles Maimarosia is an extraordinary singer and musician from the Solomon Islands, raised in the remote Pipisu village of Malaita. Renowned for preserving and sharing important custom knowledge, Charles blends traditional ‘Are’Are music with contemporary styles, creating a sound that…

The Silent Rave turns Glebe Park into an open‑air dancefloor where everyone can choose their own beat. Festival‑goers can grab a headset and switch between three Multicultural Dance Music channels, including a live DJ bringing global rhythms to life. Whether…

Feel the pulse of Africa with BreySax, a dynamic saxophonist joined by a high-energy drummer to create an electrifying Afro-fusion experience. Their interactive set blends the soulful sounds of Afrobeat, Amapiano, and traditional Zimbabwean music with explosive rhythms and dramatic…

Ybarra is a vibrant Filipino pop and alternative rock band based in Canberra, united by a shared passion for music. Formed by hardworking Filipino immigrants from diverse professional backgrounds—including IT, public health, and the Australian public service—the band blends original…

Setwun is the sonic playground of Josh Panakera-Molony—singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ. His sound shapeshifts through soulful grooves, futuristic jazz and electronic textures, creating music that feels as good as it sounds. From psychedelic neo-soul to broken beats and…

Born in Ghana and raised in Canberra, Citizen Kay is a powerhouse performer, songwriter and producer with a knack for infectious beats and sharp lyricism. Since his breakout single Yes! in 2013, he’s earned ARIA and AIR nominations, topped charts…

SAMATAR is a Somali-Australian artist, rapper, producer and poet from Ngunnawal Country, crafting music that defies boundaries. Blending hip-hop, post-punk, electronica and avant-garde, his sound is raw, experimental and deeply emotive. Through fearless lyricism and shape-shifting production, SAMATAR takes audiences…

Renowned for its rich four-part harmonies, the Australian Rugby Choir brings a powerful male voice ensemble to the stage. Fresh from performances at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Sydney Opera House, the choir will share favourites from its diverse repertoire—spanning…

Canberra Mandolin Orchestra invites you on A Mediterranean Musical Holiday with the shimmering sounds of mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar, and bass. Formed in 2003, the orchestra performs under the baton of conductor Michael Hardy, blending world music, folk, light jazz,…

Canberra City Band is back in 2026, bringing over a century of musical tradition — and more than 100 passionate musicians — to the festival stage. Audiences can expect a world tour of toe‑tapping symphonic wind pieces, from familiar favourites…

The Scotsman brings the warmth, wit and spirit of Scotland to the festival stage. With rousing folk ballads, lively ceilidh‑style tunes and heartfelt storytelling, Graeme McColgan transports audiences straight to the highlands and lochs of his homeland. His soaring vocals,…

Tahalianna is a proud Wiradjuri and Tongan artist whose powerhouse voice and heartfelt storytelling have captivated audiences nationwide since she first stepped on stage at six years old. Hailed by industry veteran Gary Pinto as “one of the best unsigned…

One man band Tim Scanlan teams up with fiddler Mana Okubo from Japans ‘John John Festival’ and Rhys Crimmin on the didgeridoo, mixing ancient tunes and drones with modern beats and sounds. Equally at home playing a midnight spot in…

Feel the heartbeat of Africa with this joyful Sunday Gospel Showcase, blending powerful vocals, uplifting rhythms and vibrant movement. The Celebration of African Australians brings together traditional drumming, call‑and‑response singing and lively choreography to share stories of community, resilience and…

Get ready for a high-energy celebration with EKIPA, Canberra’s vibrant five-piece band bringing the heart of Croatia to life! Formed in 2015 by talented musicians from Croatia and Australia, EKIPA blends traditional favourites with modern twists for an unforgettable experience.…