Topology and Gaba Musik invite audiences to The Third Space – A Sacred Place – a powerful new intercultural collaboration uniting musicians from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Samoan, Papua New Guinean and non-Indigenous traditions for a one-night-only performance on Monday 3 November at the The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba.
“The Third Space is about bringing together different cultures, learning about each other and going to a third place together. That’s true collaboration – finding that sacred place where cultures converge to form a new, shared musical language that respects and celebrates each tradition,” says Topology’s Creative Director, Christa Powell.
“The Third Space is about trust and connection,” adds Deline Briscoe, a Yalanji woman of song and Co-Director of Gaba Musik. “We want audiences to feel the connectedness that goes beyond simply living on the same land – it’s about coming together and sharing the beauty and strength of relationships built through creativity.”
The evening opens with a Welcome to Country by Yuggera Elder Gaja Kerry and singer Kaylah Coghill. Deline is then joined on stage by a diverse line-up including Jungaji, Kristal West, Yirrmal, Airileke and Taitu’uga Kitchener Wesche, alongside Brisbane’s genre-defying quintet Topology.
Each artist draws on their own cultural roots, language and stories, creating an eclectic soundscape where ancient songlines meet contemporary forms. Jazz, classical, soul, folk, country and roots are interwoven with traditional sounds including Samoan chants and Papua New Guinean log drumming.
Exploring themes such as cultural identity, connection to Country and responsibilities to family, community and each other, the 90-minute performance will unfold as a single, seamless journey.
“The show will be continuous, with no interval or breaks for applause – any talking will be part of the flow. It’s not about telling the audience how we collaborate, but showing them. We want them to learn through feeling, through visceral experience,” says Christa.
“It’s also about introducing audiences to different sounds and cultures,” adds Deline. “While everyone will experience the same concert, each person will experience it differently and take away something unique.”
The Third Space breaks away from surface-level approaches to intercultural collaboration. It builds on six years of work by Topology and Gaba Musik to develop a distinctive method in which First Nations artists share their traditional and lived stories through original songs, guided by Gaba Musik and enriched by Topology’s musical arrangements.
“The Third Space culminates a long journey of exploring what intercultural collaboration can be. Each new collaboration strengthens the integrity of the process,” says Deline.
“For non-Indigenous Australians, it’s about discovering more about our own land and history, and about the different ways people approach music,” adds Christa. “Two people can play the same note and make it sound completely different – yet still fit together seamlessly. That’s the beauty of true collaboration.”
The Third Space – A Sacred Place
The Princess Theatre, 8 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba (Brisbane)
Performance: Monday 3 November 2025 – 7.00pm
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.topologymusic.com for details.
Image: Topology and Gaba Musik presents The Third Space – A Sacred Place (supplied)