If you ever needed proof of the worth of Queensland Music Trails — look no further than the lightning-fast sell-out of Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival. But don’t despair, as visitors have a chance to attend another brand-new First Nations event on the Cairns waterfront in October.

The Tropics Trail leg of Queensland Music Trails now features a suite of live events — with Jess Mauboy headlining the Yarrabah festival on October 7 and the Shine on Gimuy festival in Cairns showcasing all the best First Nations talent, October 5 -15, with singer Dan Sultan as the headline act.

The Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival has evolved from humble beginnings, starting only 10 years ago when it was created to debut the newly rekindled Yarrabah Brass Band. Now, it has grown into one of Far North Queensland’s most popular events, with performances from Electric Fields and Jessie Lloyd also in this year’s line-up.

Shine on Gimuy is a new addition to the far-north’s offerings. It’s a multi-artform event that will illuminate the streets of Cairns with light shows, soundscapes and art installations, and music performances from the likes of Dan Sultan who kicks off festivities on Thursday, October 5.

Sultan will be joined by singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara who brings her mesmerising and enchanting style to town on the second night of the event (October 6). Wurramara is looking forward to debuting music from her as yet unreleased new album.

“This album has taken five years in the making,” says Wurramara. “I really wanted to be patient with it because it’s about my own stories and my own journey and experiences and it’s kind of a rebirth.

“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and sing and talk about and perform. I’m really open about myself on this next album. I think there’s so much strength and power that comes with that when you are being true to yourself first and foremost, because if you can face the truth and fears, then I believe you can face anything.”

Wurramara will bring a mix of new songs and old to Shine on Gimuy.

“I’m really, really excited,” she says. “I can’t wait to sing Hey Love and be up there on that country and sing to the spirits too. It’s such a beautiful environment to be in a beautiful space.”

The Anindilyakwa woman from Groote Eylandt has just returned from a break on country and says she feels completed rejuvenated and ready to immerse herself in the local culture of Gimuy — the Indigenous name for Cairns.

“I love that it’s called Shine on Gimuy. I think that’s really beautiful and respectful to Gimuy people,” she says. “It’s just good to see Mob coming out, being celebrated, being acknowledged.

“It’s also good seeing community come together and I’ve got family up that way. So, it’s just going to be beautiful to see everyone coming out and having fun and supporting artists. It’s a great line-up and I am really excited to be up there and be amongst it all, to be honest.

“I’ve just finished my second album. After I finish a project I like to go back on country and just sit and be with myself and my family. Be grounded. I feel we don’t really have time as artists to do that, so any chance that I get to go out and see Red Dirt or even just go for a walk outside — hear the birds — any chance, it’s so healing and therapeutic. Being there is very special.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says there is “a real desire for more authentic indigenous cultural visitor experiences and events such as Shine on Gimuy will help draw people to the far north”.

“The Tropics Trail provides a terrific opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the world’s oldest living cultures while supporting good jobs and the local visitor economy,” he says.

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