With lockdowns squarely in the rearview mirror, 2022 became the year that life finally returned to the city. In the spirit of this grand urban renaissance, Fed Square hosted a series of free blockbuster gigs that proved so darn popular, 2023 is now set to score its own line-up of open-air live shows to keep the party going.
The first three Fed Live gigs to be announced for 2023 are setting the bar sky high, with homegrown headliners that are making international waves. On Saturday January 21, NT quintet King Stingray will be unleashing their one-of-a-kind fusion of surf rock and First Nations Yolŋu culture, music and language. They’ll be joined by fellow NTers Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, whose funk-reggae stylings also fold in elements of First Nations culture; the Sydney songstress with a fresh sound but an old soul, Babitha; and dreamy, long-locked indie-rock four-piece the Moving Stills.
On Saturday February 18, one of the most exciting Aussie musos of the past decade, Vera Blue, will be taking to the stage, headlining an evening of powerhouse women. Her folksy yet pop-infused tunes and silken vocals have won her legions of fans across Australia and overseas. Joining Blue in support will be Melbourne-based singer-songwriter and Triple J Unearthed winner Gretta Ray; and up-and-coming R'n'B hitmaker Vetta Borne.
Rounding out the program for the first quarter of 2023, with be rap star Masked Wolf on Friday March 24. AKA Harry Michael, this born'n'bred Sydney boy cracked the US Billboard Hot 100 last year, charting at number 6 with his 2021 sleeper hit 'Astronaut in the Ocean', and he has continued to go from strength to strength throughout 2022. Sharing the stage with Masked Wolf will be ten-piece funk supergroup Big Twisty & the Funknasty; ascendant Melbourne rap star Agung Mango; the African-charged, soulful hip-hop of South Sudanese Melbournite Pookie; and Indigenous raptress and rising star Kootsie Don.
Entry to all three of these gigs is absolutely free, so assemble the squad and clear those ears for Fed Live’s line-up of huge Aussie talents in 2023.