The Aak’w Rock indigenous music festival will return to Juneau this autumn.
It is being touted as the first Indigenous concert in the nation It will bring musicians from Alaska and all over the globe to the newly revamped Centennial Hall Sept. 21 through 23.
Quacung Blanchett, who is a part of the group Pamyua was one of the organizers. Quacung Blanchett was compelled to form Aak’w rock after performing during Indigenous musical festivals across Canada in addition to Europe.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”So there are some places with them, and we’ve performed in them,” Blanchett said. “To witness the joy and the happiness and the connection that takes place at these places throughout the years – it was like , ‘God must have one! ‘”
Blanchett was on the Juneau Afternoon Tuesday along with the co-organizer Neilga Koogei to preview the concert. The goal, he said, is to recognize Indigenous music by making it accessible to a wider audience, and also to build connections.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It’s not only about music. We’ll actually have time to meet each others,” he said. “We’re creating the space that offers the possibility of having moments of connecting with people from all over the world. .”
The lineup this year includes international artists, including First Nations hip hop groups Snotty Nose Rez Kids and the Halluci Nation and Rob Ruha from New Zealand. The lineup also includes NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner Quinn Christopherson from Anchorage and Juneau’s Air Jazz.
KTOO was contracted for the production of certain parts from the Festival.
