NRL to celebrate Indigenous round with Gadhu Gathering
For the second year, four Sydney-based NRL clubs have united to bring Gadhu Gathering to life, an unprecedented celebration of First Nations culture, Rugby League, and community.
During round 23 of the NRL fixture Allianz Stadium, will again host a festival of football, culture, and connection – to be held on Gadigal/Bidjigal land in a special two-day festival (August 8-9) celebrating Rugby League and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture.
ARIA Award-winning artist Budjerah will team up with Australian hip-hop sensation Kobie Dee to headline the musical entertainment at the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels Gadhu Gathering match in Indigenous Round 23 on Saturday 8 August at Allianz Stadium.
In a world-first collaboration, Budjerah, a proud Coodjinburra man from the Bundjalung nation, will collaborate with Kobie Dee, a proud Gomeroi man from Maroubra in South Sydney, Bidjigal land, to perform Mary J. Blige’s Family Affair in the biggest celebration of Indigenous culture during the two weeks of Indigenous Rounds across the NRL.
Multi-ARIA Award winner and platinum-selling artist Budjerah is one of Australia’s most exciting new voices. With more than 60 million combined career streams to date, including his platinum hit single Therapy, he is on the cusp of becoming a household name.
Budjerah has won Breakthrough Artist in 2021 and Best Soul/R&B Release in 2022, amongst 15 ARIA Award nominations, and has performed alongside global superstars including Ed Sheeran and Kylie Minogue. Fresh from the release of his debut album, Gentleman, Budjerah will perform a new song from the record as part of this special stadium performance before joining Kobie Dee for an epic game day show at Allianz Stadium on August 8.
Rabbitohs supporter Kobie Dee has an innate gift for storytelling and connecting with young people. Performing alongside artists such as Joey Bada$$, Jords, Briggs, Jessica Mauboy, Nooky and Barkaa throughout his young career, Kobie Dee has been nominated for a raft of awards including Artist of the Year at the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards, as well as winning the Best Live Act at the FBi SMAC Awards and Done Good Award from Triple J. With over 60 million streams of his music, Kobie Dee will hit the stage alongside Budjerah for this monster pre-game show!
In addition to the on-field action, the Gadhu Gathering will put a spotlight on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander traditions, ceremonies, entertainment and culture.
Gadhu means a large body of saltwater in Dharawal language, the traditional language spoken from Sydney Harbour down to the Shoalhaven River. Gadhu is more than saltwater; it is identity, strength and connection.
