Arnhem Land band King Stingray is WA-bound and they’re bringing their unique surf rock to the North West

Beloved five-piece Northern Territory Yolŋu surf rock band King Stingray is bringing their unique cultural mashup music to the Pilbara. The band from North-East Arnhem Land will play at Odyssea - Hedland Music and Arts Party on Saturday, August 17, alongside some of the fastest-growing bands in WA like South Summit and Spici Water. The State’s North West welcomes a group that has been playing music together since they were children with frontman Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu and guitarist Roy Kellaway having grown up together. The band also includes bassist Campbell Messer, drummer Lewis Stiles, and Dimathaya Burarrwanga on rhythm guitar, backing vocals, and the yidaki (didgeridoo). It has been a meteoric rise for the band since their debut track Hey Wanhaka in October 2020. They exploded onto the east coast music scene during COVID lockdowns with their song Get Me Out, and sold out their first-ever tour in March and April of that year. The band has a unique blend of different styles and influences in their music. Their songs are noted for their blend of thousand-year-old Indigenous melodies with funk, indie, and surf rock sounds. Many in the Town have already started getting excited at the band’s arrival. Jessica Brown runs the Junction Co art gallery in Port Hedland and said she was very excited when she found at King Stingray were coming to town. As the co-ordinator of one of the sole art institutions in town, Ms Brown said she knew from firsthand experience how important quality art was in regional areas. “Art, music, and culture how could you not love it,” she said. “Being a regional area has its challenges and limitations with access to these. “King Stingray’s feel-good music celebrates pride in culture and brings people together. “People want to be around that energy.” Read more about the Odyssea music festival in North West Lifestyle.