Australia’s B2M win hearts in Kupang

An R’n’B pop group from the Tiwi Islands in Australia’s north, B2M (Bathurst to Melville), won hearts in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, over the weekend.

Invited to perform in the city by Universitas Cendana, the musicians were guests at a cultural performance at Kupang’s scenic stage at Subasuka. B2M also led a workshop with local musicians and students, visited two senior high schools, SMAN 1 and SMA Giovanni, and took part in a radio program.

B2M’s music is described as R’n’B pop with a traditional twist. Their music received an overwhelming and enthusiastic reaction whenever they played.

Australian Ambassador Greg Moriarty said B2M’s visit was the first major activity of the embassy’s busy Arts and Cultural Program 2014, which will reach audiences across Indonesia.

“B2M is one of the many contemporary faces of Indigenous Australia and are outstanding cultural ambassadors. They are proud representatives of their people and of their nation and were eager to share aspects of their culture,” the Ambassador said.

“The band members discovered similarities between the people, culture and landscape in the Tiwi Islands and East Nusa Tenggara. They were particularly keen to hear about traditional life in NTT to find out what else they had in common.

“This visit is a great opportunity to deepen people-to-people connections and understanding between our two nations. Personal and cultural relationships really are the ballast in the Australia-Indonesia relationship. I hope this will be the first of many visits to Indonesia by B2M,” he said.

During their Kupang visit, vocalist and keyboard player Daniel Cunningham tried his hand at playing the sasando, a traditional instrument from NTT, while the band’s youngest member Shelton Murray thrilled audience members with his Michael Jackson-like dance moves.

The embassy’s Arts and Cultural Program 2014 will include more concerts and visual art exhibitions, plus dance, sport and a science and innovation roadshow. The program will also include arts residencies, collaborations and exchanges involving artists from both countries to learn from one another, increase understanding and deepen personal ties.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is supported by the Australia Government through the Australian International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Tiwi Islands, which comprise Melville and Bathurst Island plus nine smaller islands, are located 80 kilometres north of Darwin and are one of the parts of Australia located closest to East Nusa Tengarra.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is generously supported by the ANZ Bank, the Northern Territory Government, the Victorian Government, the Australia Indonesia Institute, the University of Tasmania, Deakin University, Queensland University of Technology, Curtin University, Ernst and Young, Flinders University, Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland.

Media Enquiries (not for publication):
Vicki Miller, Cultural Attaché tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 959 0304

For more information about B2M, please visit http://www.skinnyfishmusic.com.au/site/b2m.