By Andrea James with Anyupa Butcher and Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher
Co-Directed by Dr Rachael Maza AM & Anyupa Butcher

BIG NAME, NO BLANKETS celebrates the phenomenal journey of Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher, founding member of music icons, Warumpi Band, in an epic rock ‘n’ roll theatre show.

“It is transformative […] The band is hot and unstoppable, the cast a joyful expression of music and story”  The Guardian

“Has the audience screaming and stomping joyfully”  Arts Hub

Following knock-out seasons across Australia, ILBIJERRI is thrilled to bring BIG NAME, NO BLANKETS to Canberra, Garma (NT), Townsville, Alice Springs, and back to its original home in Papunya for a Bush and City Tour.

Warumpi Band had a massive impact on the music scene, being the first band to record in Aboriginal language – singing in Luritja and Gumatj (Yolngu Matha), and through their potent riffs and activism shared through song.

BIG NAME, NO BLANKETS honours this pivotal chapter in Australian history, narrated by actor Baykali Ganambarr (as Sammy), from the band’s origins in Papunya to their wild and wonderful years touring the outback and overseas.

Featuring Warumpi Band hits including ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’, ‘My Island Home’, ‘Jailanguru Pakarnu’, BIG NAME, NO BLANKETS charts the band’s divide between bush and city, white and black, fame and family.

Stomp your feet, clap your hands, sing along, and get swept away by this big-hearted story from the bush.

Visit this page to see more accessible events with thanks to NAFA