King Stingray Live At Triple R-FM
102.7 On Your FM Dial With King Sting
King Stingray has been swimming and flying and traveling around many places over the last few years. With accolades and awards and positive reviews, they are kicking goals at every turn.
It’s hard to believe their self-titled debut album was only released in August of 2022.
If you have not caught up with that record, do yourself a favour and get some joy and love into your life.
Yolngu Surf Rock from East Arnhem Land is what this 5 piece is all about and tonight we had an added keyboard player to just make them burst off the stage and into your soul.
If you were one of the few to be in attendance, count yourself as one lucky punter. This may be the smallest gig King Sting will play for some time as their following continues to grow.
The music, family, and stories of the Kellaway and Yunupingu clan go back many decades. Roy Kellaway, King Sting’s guitarist, is the son of Stu Kellaway the bass player in Yothu Yindi.
The late Dr. Mandawuy Yunupingu was the lead vocalist/guitarist for Yothu Yindi and his nephew, Yirrŋa, holds down lead vocals for the band.
With a few hundred people jammed into the Triple R Performance Space in Brunswick, Victoria, it took just a few moments of the song “Time” to get people moving and shaking. You cannot stand still if you have this band launching into their music in front of you.
Smiles from the stage were matched by the grins and bodies shaking in the audience.
The fellas from North Arnhem Land were happy to start playing under the lights to shake some of the Melbourne chill from their bones.
The band had a couple of new songs to treat us to while the other 7 songs came from their debut. Check out the YouTube Clips within for a bit of a taste and when you are done there go to the 3RRR link and listen to the entire set.
The engine room of Lewis Stiles (drums) and Campbell Messer (bass) really kicked the band into high gear tonight. With Dimathaya Burarrwanga on guitar and vocals and Yimila Gurruwiwi on didge, the sound is bright, clear, and in your face.
Connection, community, and happiness are what come across when they perform or speak. They are certainly blessed and are enjoying the ride as they carry on in the family tradition laid down by their elders.
The blend of balanda (white people) and Yolngu culture is precious. Their energy, positivity, and kinship should be held up for all of Australia to see.
We all have our own stories but when we share them we find that our stories are not so different. We are all brothers and sisters here together responsible for ourselves and each other.
King Stingray will be on tour on home turf in late June and early July.
Get your tickets and enjoy.
Link to the gig below:
https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/live-at-rrr/episodes/25015-live-at-rrr-king-stingra
