To close the 2024 Canberra International Music Festival (CIMF), a star-filled concert that celebrated the oldest living culture on earth. It also marked the end of Artistic Director Roland Peelman’s decade-long tenure at the Festival’s helm.

The artists were: the Stiff Gins (Kaleena Briggs and Nardi Simpson, with Kevin Hunt on piano); William Barton and Véronique Serret; The Dudok Quartet; Claire Edwardes, Niki Johnson and Veronica Bailey (percussion); Jason Noble (clarinet); Lamorna Nightingale (flute); Freya Schack-Arnott (cello); Ben Ward (double bass), the Luminescence Chamber Singers and the Ellery String Quartet.

Stiff Gins. Mulanggari. Canberra International Music Festival 2024. Photo © Peter Hislop

Opening with a selection of songs by the Stiff Gins, they sang seven works by Kaleena Smith and Nardi Simpson. Many arranged by Jonathan Zwartz.

The sublime harmonies of the Stiff Gins is an uplifting experience. But when backed by piano and five string players, their mellowness felt silky smooth. These arrangements were something else. Flowing and even, hitting the right balance between voice and instrument; they felt so natural.

No matter what the song title or the style, this was feel-good music. Just the ticket to wind up a festival. For...