In a rare and historic concert performance of their groundbreaking and ARIA award winning album, TABARAN, Not Drowning, Waving re-unite with acclaimed Papua New Guinean musician Sir George Telek, as well as Rabaul musicians Pius Wasi, Emmanuel and Ben Hakalitz, at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday 20 September 2025.
This very special night marks the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Papua New Guinea as well as the 35th Anniversary of the album and will feature many of the original musicians from the recording plus an impressive line-up of new talent from PNG and Australia.
Fascinated by the expressive rhythms of Papuan music and its post-colonial western influences, the David Bridie-fronted band Not Drowning, Waving visited PNG multiple times through the late 80s. They eventually recorded Tabaran in the port town Rabaul with Sir George Telek and other local artists.
A documentary of the recording process was released in 1992. TABARAN innovatively melded Not Drowning, Waving’s avant-garde soundscape with the harmonies, melodies and musical instruments of Rabaul, led by acclaimed musician Telek.
“TABARAN was the most important thing we did as a band – it forged many lifelong friendships and collaborations – and it’s an album we’re extremely proud of.” – Not Drowning, Waving
Hailed as an early masterpiece of world music and a true work of artistic collaboration, TABARAN was a landmark album, released on the Warner label in 1990. The album saw Papua New Guinea and Australian musicians combining their cultures harmoniously for the first time to create a recording that was unlike anything else that had come before it.
It was a project that forged a lasting friendship between Telek and Not Drowning, Waving frontman David Bridieand it created a unique piece of history between their two countries and has continued to spark many cross cultural collaborations ever since.
“It’s really a privilege to be back together again,” says Sir George Telek who, together with the musicians of Rabaul, had no idea the album would be so successful when it was recorded 35 years ago. For many Australian music fans it was their first introduction to Papua New Guinean culture and string band music.
Speaking on the changes he’s witnessed his nation go through since Independence, Telek said, “I feel proud of this 50th anniversary for Papua New Guinea, for Independence. I feel proud carrying, promoting Papua New Guinean music into the international market and in local scenes back in PNG.”
Following sold-out concerts at Sydney Festival, don’t miss your chance to witness music history in this unmissable one-night-only performance.
“Not Drowning, Waving and George Telek’s TABARAN remains a timeless work that celebrates the beauty of collaboration.” – Sydney Arts Guide
Not Drowning Waving + George Telek: TABARAN
Elizabeth Murdoch Hall – Melbourne Recital Centre,
Performance: Saturday 20 September 2025
Information and Bookings: www.melbournerecital.com.au
Image: TABARAN at City Recital Hall, Sydney, in January 2025 (supplied)