Rooftop Roots + Reggae: Kopasetic, Ren and the Rudeboys & Zambezi Sounds at Blank Cultural Platform

Bring in summer with stepping basslines, offbeat grooves and open air as Canberra's purveyors of roots-fusion and rock-reggae music KOPASETIC return to the ROOFTOP TERRACE at BLANK CULTURAL PLATFORM to celebrate the launch and TOUR FINALE for their new original 'Harsher Than You'. Expect a live melting pot of roots tradition and evolution, with sets from Dharawal/Wollongong skanky-rudegirl-rebel-dub pioneers REN AND THE RUDEBOYS (DUB | SKA | PUNK) and Zimbabwean African-roots collective ZAMBEZI SOUNDS!

Bring your crew, support local original music and usher in summer vibes with live music and fresh drinks only a step off the dancefloor!

📍 Blank Cultural Platform - Rooftop Terrace (above King O'Malleys)
🗓 FRIDAY 18 DECEMBER 2026
🕓 6PM

🔊 KOPASETIC

A “roots music powerhouse” gathered from the dust launched from underground soundsystem scenes in Ngunnawal/Ngambri country (ACT).

Kopasetic have spent recent years refining their craft pioneering an original earthy texture over roots-rock-reggae soundscapes. Their keen ear for sharp pumping rhythm, stepping basslines and respect for roots and folk tradition, has seen the band cross hard boundary lines to shake festivals and stages like Dragon Dreaming Festival, the Kangaroo Valley Reggae Festival, NightFest and Enlighten Festival - sharing stages with legends like King Tide, Garfish, Kalya Scintilla, Merkaba and Paige Julia - building an arsenal of earth shaking dittys along the way.

“Amazing music and an extremely positive reception” - Carolyn Stacey OAM (The Street Theatre)

“Magnificent & beautiful” - Triple J

🔊 REN AND THE RUDEBOYS

Ren and the Rudeboys hailing from Dharawal land on the coast of NSW, formed accidentally from a bunch of chance encounters and conversations ending in 'good to see you dude, lets jam soon'. A couple of jams led to a broth of Skanky Rudegirl Rebel Dub.

With long expired teen angst, Ren and the Rudeboys have established a unique high energy sound by submerging into reggae, punk, rock, ska and dub. All the while using great manners with a terrible attitude.

🔊 ZAMBEZI SOUNDS

Zambezi Sounds bring an irresistible fusion of Afro-Caribbean-African grooves and infectious dancefloor energy. The band blends traditional Zimbabwean mbira melodies and driving percussion with contemporary reggae sounds. Rich in culture, rhythm and soul, Zambezi Sounds deliver a vibrant, uplifting live experience that celebrates the spirit of African music and brings people together through the universal language of rhythm, movement and dance.

Zambezi Sounds is music for lovers of culture, for owners of dancing feet, for letting your hair down, for reviving your soul and reminding yourself what a beautiful world we live in.

Getting There

Ok, this part is quite an adventure. Just pretend you're in Melbourne and finding the spot is half the fun.

Step 1: Find the 131 City Walk building. The event is hosted across the rooftop and level 2 lounge of the independent city arts centre, Blank Cultural Platform (Blank). Blank is located across the first three floors of 131 City Walk, Civic. You might know it as the corner building with the longstanding King O'Malleys Irish Pub.

Step 2: Enter via Blank's mini-lobby at Mort St. Once you're in the rough vicinity of 131 City Walk, head to the Mort St side of the building - it's the one with the bus interchange (look for Platform 8), not the King O'Malleys side. Once you find Platform 8, the door with Blank's venue sign is only two meters away. Enter this door and you'll be in our mini-lobby.

Step 3: Scale the building. Don't worry, the hard part is mostly over. Once you're in the mini-lobby, you'll be let into a stairwell or assisted with the elevator.

We're a 5 minute (400m) walk from the Alinga St light rail, a 5 minute walk from the Canberra Centre carpark (300m), a 30 second walk from the City Bus Exchange, and there are plenty of bike racks outside our building too.

Accessibility

The elevator to the venue has a width of 80cm. There is an accessible bathroom on the first floor of the building that any event staff can gladly take you to upon request. 131 City Walk, where Blank Cultural Platform is located, is not publicly accessible via a car - this unfortunately means there are no immediate accessible car spaces.

This event will involve loudspeaker projections of live musical performances as well as studio music, and will include stage light dynamics and large crowds of people. This means the event will be highly stimulating. If you feel concerned or uncomfortable about this, feel free to approach any of our friendly staff on the night.

Blank Cultural Platform and the artists performing at this event have zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour. If you ever feel uncomfortable please feel free to approach any of the staff on the night.