Album Launch: DJAWARRAY - 'Magayin (Stand and Rise)

Join us for the highly anticipated album launch of Djawarray (aka Bertie Riley), a proud Djabugay and Western Yalanji traditional custodian, singer-songwriter, and cultural leader from Ngunbay (Kuranda).

Deeply rooted in his songlines, Djawarray’s music blends his ancestral language, Ngirrma, with English to create a vibrant sound that pulses with the spirit of Aboriginal Rainforest Reggae. His captivating music has resonated throughout Far North Queensland, and he's shared the stage with legends like Mantaka, Zennith, Yubbaz, The Pad Boys, Gudju Gudju, and Nupoo & The Originals.

The Koahlition band, formed through jam sessions on a veranda in Koah, is a multicultural collective united by a shared passion to push musical boundaries. With Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Eurasian heritage woven into the band's identity, Koahlition has been spreading their unique sound across regional communities for over a decade.

'Magayin' (meaning Stand and Rise) is more than just an album—it’s a powerful statement of resilience, rooted in Djawarray’s connection to the rainforest and the bama (people) within the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. This full album release follows the success of his 2023 EP, 'Binal', which means "understand" in Western Yalanji.

Djawarray is also the torchbearer of the Mayi Wunba Dance Troupe, a tradition passed down by his father, Lance Riley, ensuring the preservation of traditional dance and language. His song “Bundarra”, inspired by the Dreamtime story of the Cassowary, earned him a QMusic Award nomination in 2023.

The launch event will be an unforgettable night, featuring local hip-hop artists Diggis and ZDC, followed by the popular Kuranda band Cloud 9, and a powerful Cultural performance by the Mayi Wunba Dance Troupe to set the stage for Djawarray and his band.

You won’t get this experience anywhere else in the world—be there to stand, rise, and celebrate the music, Culture, and community! Come and dance the night away as Djawarray and Koahlition launch Magayin.

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Location: Ellis Beach Bar & Grill

This album release has been made possible by a grant from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) and the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and local government to support local arts and culture in Regional Queensland.