The sound of the Warumpi Band is a kind of Voice that contemporary Australia needs right now. Interestingly enough this fantastic rock band from Papunya Country was active decades ago, in the 1980s, yet their message remains true today. I notice a full house as I walk into the Regal Theatre, in Subiaco, on Thursday 27 February 2025. Everyone was seated, waiting for the show to begin. On stage, there were 2 people, also seated, on a set – ready to share a story.
Big Name, No Blankets is a musical that takes you on a journey around the world and then back home. A journey that tells the story of the human desire for adventure, and then, a desire to come back home. A journey that tells the story of the Warumpi band in the 1980s. This musical is special in that it has elements of a commercially successful musical that will resonate with modern contemporary audiences, and yet, it also has elements that allow for deeper reflection upon the life philosophy of the inspiring Indigenous culture that continues to live on this land today.
Sometimes stories are told, and other times they are evoked. This is an idea that I have encountered in recent years through my interactions with leaders and elders from Indigenous country. In Big Name, No Blankets – Baykali Ganambar evokes this story of the Warumpi band as they traverse through the early days of performing for remote communities, and then on to stages around the world, and finally returning back home. Baykalli’s storytelling was the bedrock for the success of this production. His calm tone, understanding voice, and compassionate demeanour were the seeds from which this musical found flight.
Big Name, No Blankets. Photography by James Henry.
The set design was an unassuming blend of a rock band stage and the Papunya desert. This was befitting of the 2 elements that were coming together in this musical. Googoorewon Knox stood out as Warumpi Band front man, George Burarrwanga. His performance brought a high energy that left me really wanting to stand up and move. The music of Warumpi band were the milestone destinations on this musical’s journey, and Googorewon was fantastic in playing the role of a sleeveless, sexy rockstar. A moshpit may have been nice but I am unsure if this has ever occurred at the Regal Theatre and if this Perth Festival audience, in a theatre towards the west of this city, would even consider a mosh.
Big Name, No Blankets. Photography by James Henry.
Somewhere in between, Baykalli Ganambar wondered out loud – if Warumpi Band’s music changed the world. He quickly moved on from this to reminisce moments from the past when Australia was listening, and “we danced together”. The music of Warumpi band are anthems of a unified Australia. Blackfella/Whitefella is perhaps their most listened to song and yet unfortunately, many years later, the essence of this song remains unheard.
Shows like Big Name, No Blankets are a good way for the lesser heard voices in our society to be heard. There is something invaluable to be learnt from these voices that are often in the shadows. The show’s reflection on a journey that occurred in the 1980s allowed us, the audience, an opportunity to also reflect on the necessity for us to be open to the experiences we encounter and to allow it to shape our perspective and our creative expression. Yet, the show also invokes a sense of gratitude towards the memory of home and the idea of always returning to where we come from.