Immerse yourself in an Asian psychedelic rock experience as Darwin’s own Kuya James launches a new album with live band and visuals.

Jeepneys are the most common mode of public transport on the streets of Manila. Steeped in World War 2 history, the reappropriated army vehicles are known for their colourful decorations, loud music and packed in passengers. As a kid, Kuya James, along with his family from Darwin, would travel to visit relatives in The Philippines. Riding in Jeepneys was one of his favourite parts of being in the chaos of Manila. He remembers music blasting, everyday people getting about from A to B and watching the Jeepney driver’s friend collect the money for fare. He remembers learning the history of the car’s inception – how after the war the Americans left army vehicles and they evolved by resourceful innovation into what is now known as a Jeepney. To this day, over half a million people drive them throughout The Philippines.

With these memories, Kuya James has created Jeepney Rock, a soundtrack to a journey in one of these iconic cars. It’s the feeling of the streets of Asia, the sense of many lives traversing in parallels and the nuance in a trip from the big city to outlying villages.

Support comes from Random Space, a progressive rock band based in Darwin whose members come from Nepal and Bangladesh.