The Rhythm Hunters

The Rhythm Hunters are a young, upcoming force in world music specializing in dramatic physical drumming performances!  Indigenous Islamic music from Indonesia, didgeridoo, western horns and modern textures form the platform for one of the most exciting music groups in Australia.

The group has a growing list of credentials including main-stage slots at Woodford Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, Dreaming Festival, National Multicultural Festival and Peats Ridge Sustainable Music and Arts Festival. The big ‘wow factor’ comes from the dramatic physical movement spectacle on taiko drums: alongside that is tuned bells, gongs, songs, didgeridoo, Indian harmonium, frenetic island log drumming and hints of West Africa.

More than a drumming group, joyfully executed compositions feature soaring melodies on soprano saxophone, sweet ethereal tones of shakuhachi and a range of wind instruments from Indonesia. Artistic inspiration stems from the dream of celebrated multi-instrumentalist Rendra Freestone to create a visual fusion of Japanese Taiko drumming with indigenous folk music from the little known Islamic provinces of West Sumatra and Aceh, Indonesia.

Of Acehenese heritage, Rendra has developed Taiko drumming alongside the shamanic Sufi-like traditions of Indonesia into a show that has been wowing audiences nationwide. 
It’s the combination of Taiko Drumming with their irresistible Indo-Pacific Groove that makes the Rhythm Hunters a group not to be missed!

The group has performed at venues including:

Parliament House (Canberra & Sydney), The Hilton Ballroom, Sydney Opera House, Crown Casino (Vic) Dolton House, Australian National Gallery, Luna Park, Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Side Track Theatre, The Domain (Carols on the Domain), Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, Maitland Regional Gallery, Edagowa Japanese Gardens, The Ivy, Government House, Sydney Botanical Gardens and National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).