If you felt the thunder of 40 log drums in Festival Park during Darwin Festival's 40th anniversary celebrations, you'll remember Drumming Up the Storm. Led by PNG-Australian percussionist Airileke Ingram, the project saw master drummers travel from Papua New Guinea to create 40 traditional garamut log drums from Darwin's African mahogany trees, planted after Cyclone Tracy and felled by Cyclone Marcus. The resulting performance brought generations of Territorians together in a powerful celebration of culture, community and resilience. 

This year, Airileke returns to Darwin Festival with Gaba Gaba Bayan, a high-energy celebration of music, dance and storytelling inspired by the cultures of Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Fiji, the Cook Islands and the Torres Strait. Building on the legacy of both Drum Drum and Drumming Up the Storm, the performance brings together family members, master drummers and dancers from across the Pacific, celebrating identity, connection and community across generations. 

Born in Australia with roots in Papua New Guinea, Airileke has spent decades building creative bridges across the Pacific. Through his company Gaba Musik, he creates large-scale cultural projects that celebrate Indigenous and Pacific stories while supporting the next generation of artists and cultural leaders. 

Global Rhythms also features the Kandola Allstars, a collective of exceptional musicians whose collaborations span decades, genres and continents. Representing some of Australia's finest musical talent, the group blends influences from South Asia, jazz, folk and global music traditions. While acclaimed musician Bobby Singh is unable to travel to Darwin, the Kandola Allstars will represent him in both music and spirit, delivering the creativity, musicianship and energy for which they are known. 

Joining the line-up is Yolngu musical powerhouse Larry Gurruwiwi, widely recognised as one of the world's great yidaki players. Following in the footsteps of his late father, the respected Galpu Clan leader and musician Mr D Gurruwiwi, Larry continues to share Yolngu culture with audiences while honouring traditions passed down through generations. His presence adds another powerful layer to a program built on cultural continuity, storytelling and connection. 

Together, Gaba Gaba Bayan, the Kandola Allstars and Larry Gurruwiwi create a unique musical journey across the Northern Territory, South Asia and the Pacific.

Bring a picnic blanket, gather your friends and family, and settle in for a night of rhythm, culture and community under the stars. Global Rhythms is more than a concert. It's a celebration of the cultures, stories and connections that shape our region, and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together.