Ilbijerri Theatre Company | Big Name, No Blankets

A rock ‘n’ roll gig theatre extravaganza celebrating the phenomenal journey and impact of Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher, founding member of Australian music icons Warumpi Band.

BIG NAME, NO BLANKETS celebrates the phenomenal journey of Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher, a founding member of iconic group, Warumpi Band, in an epic rock 'n' roll theatre show.

Celebrated for bringing First Peoples culture to the world, Warumpi Band were the fi rst to record music in Aboriginal language, singing in Luritja and Gumatj (Yolngu Matha). They became renowned for their politics and activism communicated through song.

Big Name, No Blankets brings this pivotal chapter in Australian music history into the present, co-directed by Dr Rachael Maza AM, Artistic Director of ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, and daughter of Sammy Butcher, Anyupa Butcher. The show is narrated by actor Baykali Ganambarr (as Sammy), who takes audiences on a journey through the highs and lows of this iconic group's trajectory, from their origins in the Papunya desert in 1970 to their wild and wonderful years spent writing songs on the road while touring the outback and cities in Europe.

With powerful musical performances throughout – including Warumpi Band hits ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’, ‘My Island Home’, ‘Go Bush’ and many more – the characters navigate the emotional divide between bush and city, white and black, fame and family.

Big Name, No Blankets is exemplary of Warumpi’s extraordinary legacy as the ‘People’s Band’, showcasing their huge impact, and joyful ambition to make music that fostered mutual respect and understanding throughout communities.
"I wanted my story to be shared with our mob everywhere, because we all need to keep going and my dream is to bring hope to everyone” — Sammy Butcher

Step into the world of these central desert legends. Stomp your feet, clap your hands, sing along and get swept away by this big-hearted story from the bush.

“Has the audience screaming and stomping joyfully” — ★★★★★ Arts Hub
"The most uplifting, big-hearted, and charismatic First Nations musical" — The Sydney Morning Herald
“It is transformative [...] The band is hot and unstoppable, the cast a joyful expression of music and story” - ★★★★ The Guardian
“This show is all heart” — ABC NEWS