‘Now & Forever’ Is Bringing Australia’s Biggest Musicians Together

NEXT MONTH, some of Australia’s foremost musicians are coming together in Shepparton for ‘Now & Forever’, an all-ages, all-inclusive concert aiming to drum up support for the Voice referendum’s Yes campaign.

Indigenous Australian rapper and activist Adam Briggs, better known simply as ‘Briggs’, or ‘Senator Briggs’, is the mastermind behind the event. Briggs, who is one half of hip-hop duo A.B. Original, was struck with the idea for Now & Forever when he realised prominent Aboriginal artists hadn’t been afforded a platform to speak on their support for a First Nations‘ Voice to parliament, without fear of receiving vitriolic backlash in return.

“I think it’s tough for blackfellas to stand up sometimes, because they’re putting themselves on the chopping block,” Briggs told the Sydney Morning Herald. “It feels pretty volatile at the moment.”

The concert, which will be held at Shepparton Showgrounds on Friday October 6^th, boasts a stacked line-up, including Baker Boy, Hilltop Hoods, Paul Kelly, and Jimmy Barnes, among other Australian music icons. Comedian Sam Pang will also be stepping out of his comfort zone for the event, taking on MC duties as a co-host.

The artists are not being paid for their contributions to the concert. Tickets are $21.50, kids under 12 are free, and all proceeds will go to a range of select charities and non-profit organisations.

Now & Forever represents a partnership between Australia’s major music promoters. With Frontier Touring, Live Nation Australia, Live Performance Australia, and TEG Live setting aside traditional rivalries for the cause, something Briggs views as an important milestone. “Having them come together is a real special moment for our industry,” he said. “It’s about standing in solidarity with blackfellas with no fear of tarnishing their brand or anything like that.”

Briggs has emphasised that the concert, which will be for all ages and has an alcohol-free policy, is an inclusive event. “I want undecided people to come and see what we think, how it can be,” he said. “And if you don’t know, just come to the show.”

Taking to Instagram to promote the concert, Briggs provided an insight into what we can expect. “We have a once in a generation opportunity to write our future together, and the artists on the bill have signed up for that,” he began. “This is about celebration, inclusivity, solidarity, positivity and listening, as much as it is about a voice. In that spirit, everyone is welcome to the show—even the undecided voters. So come join me and my friends on Yorta-Yorta country!”