Blak Day Out returns for its fourth powerful year, bringing together an electrifying lineup of First Nations artists for an unforgettable night of music, culture, and community at The Princess Theatre on Saturday, 26 July 2025.

Curated by Alethea Beetson from Blak Social and co-presented with QPAC’s Clancestry, this landmark event celebrates the voices of First Nations artists from across the continent – unapologetic, innovative, and unstoppable.

This year’s stellar lineup is led by Christine Anu, the ever-charming Thelma Plum, and the fierce and uncompromising Miss Kaninna. They’ll be joined by the powerful acoustic duo Stiff Gins, genre-defying Magandjin-based alt-pop artist GLVES, Yuggera woman and DJ powerhouse dameeeela, and the ever-eclectic Kritty, who brings her beats from Gubbi Gubbi country. Together, this all-female lineup showcases the incredible depth and diversity of Blak talent.

Blak Day Out has become a place for some of the most exciting voices in Australian music, following in the footsteps of past performers such as Barkaa, Emma Donovan, 3%, and DRMNGNOW.

This all-ages event welcomes music lovers of all backgrounds. Whether you’re on the dancefloor or soaking up the stories, Blak Day Out is a celebration of music, resistance, and joy – a space where community comes together in solidarity and celebration.

Join us. Feel the power. Be part of the movement.

CHRISTINE ANU

Celebrate 30 years of Stylin’ Up at The Princess Theatre this winter! This special show honors the iconic album that defined a generation. Christine Anu is one of Australia’s most beloved voices, with 17 ARIA nominations and timeless hits like My Island Home. Her career spans music, theatre, film, and television, from platinum-selling albums to roles in Moulin Rouge and The Matrix Reloaded. She’s graced historic stages, including the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where her performance became an iconic national moment.

A proud Torres Strait Islander, Anu continues to champion Indigenous voices while shaping Australia’s cultural landscape. Her latest album, Waku, produced with longtime collaborator David Bridie, is a powerful tribute to her heritage.

THELMA PLUM

Thelma Plum, a Gamilaraay artist from Brisbane, has emerged as a powerful voice in Australia's music scene. Her debut album, Better In Blak, released in 2020, delved into themes of culture, heritage, and personal experience, earning critical acclaim and solidifying her place in the industry.

In October 2024, Plum unveiled her highly anticipated sophomore album, I'm Sorry, Now Say It Back, which debuted at number seven on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album showcases her evolution as an artist, blending heartfelt storytelling with diverse musical styles.

Plum's live performances are renowned for their emotional depth and captivating presence. At the Golden Plains Festival in March she delivered a soulful set that resonated deeply with the audience, further establishing her reputation as a dynamic live performer.

MISS KANINNA

Miss Kaninna, a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon, and Yirendali woman, is a Naarm-based (Melbourne) First Nations artist making waves with her fierce blend of hip-hop, neo-soul, and R&B. Her debut single Blak Britney skyrocketed in 2023, landing #1 on triple j and earning critical acclaim for its powerful, anti-establishment message.

A captivating performer, she’s graced stages at major festivals like Meredith, Haydays, and Beyond the Valley, as well as securing a spot on the 2024 Laneway tour. With her follow-up single Pinnacle Bitch, she continues to rise, becoming a force in the global music scene, with streams, TV placements, and ARIA nominations to her name. Miss Kaninna is here to claim BLACK POP in so-called Australia – and she’s just getting started.

STIFF GINS

Stiff Gins, the dynamic musical duo comprising the talents of Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta woman Kaleena Briggs and Yuwaalaraay woman Nardi Simpson, are marking a significant milestone in 2025 as they celebrate twenty-five years of harmonious and culturally resonant music-making. Renowned as Australia’s foremost and longest-performing all-Indigenous female group, Stiff Gins have transcended borders and captivated audiences on a global scale, from the vibrant stages of the US, Canada, UK, Asia, to the heart of Africa.

GLVES

GLVES is a Magandjin-based Alt-Pop interdisciplinary artist, who uses cinematic Blaktronica with electronic textures, organic instrumentation, and ethereal vocal loops to unearth the untold stories close to her heart as a Tasmanian born - Kaurareg, Fijian woman. 

Her boundary-pushing, elevated artistry has garnered accolades at the Queensland Music Awards, Best Cinematography in the 2021 Reels Music Video Awards, and Best Music Video at the 2022 Sydney Women’s International Film Festival. She’s also performed at major events like Splendour in the Grass, Ministry of Sound Classical, Dark Mofo, and Yabun to incredible reception. 

DAMEEEELA

Multi-hyphenate DJ, producer, radio host and Yuggera woman, dameeeela, has steadily amassed a following and reputation as one of Meanjin/Brisbane’s most in-demand selectors. An ability to cater to any genre, audience and energy from hip hop to acid to the classics and back again is what brings listeners back time and again to dameeeela; mixes bursting with electric passion and rife with experimentation, combined with ongoing reminders of club music’s origins in Black culture. 

dameeeela boasts a live resume that includes warming up stages for iconic artists from Fred Again, Skepta and Tyler, the Creator to Charli XCX, Anderson .Paak, Genesis Owusu, Wiki and Skin On Skin amongst others, including appearances for Boiler Room, Splendour In The Grass, Falls Festival, Listen Out, Laneway, Pitch Music & Arts, Groovin The Moo, BIGSOUND and more.

KRITTY

Kritty is a DJ, zookeeper, and proud Wiradjuri woman, known for blending high-energy club sounds with pop-forward sensibilities. Her DJ career began at Sidechains Club in Sydney, where she became part of a vibrant and forward-thinking scene that champions futuristic club music.

Kritty has supported artists such as SOPHIE, Mallrat, Nina Las Vegas, Sweater Beats, Cosmo's Midnight, and LE1F, and has brought her dynamic sets to major festivals including Beyond The Valley, Falls Festival, Spilt Milk, Jungle Love, and Heaps Gay's annual Mardi Gras party in Sydney.

Open Season is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland’s QASP and Strategic Partnership’s fund and Revive Live - an initiative of the Australian Government.