Thousands gathered in Melbourne on Saturday night for a powerful demonstration of solidarity, where music and activism merged at the 'A Gathering for Gaza' fundraiser. The event, held at the Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts (PICA), successfully raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for humanitarian non-profits supporting Palestinians.
A Night of Music and Solidarity
The fundraiser transformed into a vibrant, boutique festival atmosphere, featuring a stellar lineup of homegrown Australian talent. The eclectic bill showcased the powerpop of Belair Lip Bombs, the harmonies of Folk Bitch Trio, and the fierce energy of Indigenous rapper Miss Kaninna. Soulful performances from Angie McMahon and the introspective indie rock of Julia Jacklin captivated the audience, before the night was closed by Genesis Owusu's genre-defying one-man show.
Between sets, local DJs including Cut Copy and Harvey Sutherland kept energy levels high. The event was hosted by comedian Nazeem Hussain, who created a poignant moment by filming the nearly 5,000-strong crowd cheering for Palestinian Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah, sending a direct message of support.
Art Framed as an Act of Resistance
A central theme woven throughout the evening was the concept of art as a vital form of protest and resilience. Mai Saif from Free Palestine Melbourne, addressing the keffiyeh-dotted crowd, stated, "Art is a form of resistance, and part and parcel of our culture and identity." This sentiment was powerfully echoed by Palestinian Australian musician Yousef Alreemawi of the Tarab Ensemble, who performed a hypnotic blend of Arabic and Western instruments.
Alreemawi quoted poet Novalis, telling the audience, "Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason." He emphasised that art becomes essential for survival, a notion embodied in performances like Angie McMahon's cover of Australian Crawl's 'Reckless', with its reimagined lyrics addressing contemporary crises.
Funds and Focus on Humanitarian Aid
The gathering was explicitly a benefit, with proceeds from tickets, merchandise, and the bar being directed to four organisations: Olive Kids, the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANMA), Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA), and Médecins Sans Frontières Australia. Representatives from these groups addressed the crowd, sharing both harrowing updates and stories of hope.
Ashley Killeen from MSF Australia revealed the organisation's registration to supply medical aid in the region had been denied, met with cries of "shame" from the audience. In a balancing moment, Rasha Abbas of PARA shared an inspiring story of a Gazan teenager who secured a scholarship to an Australian university. The event concluded as a potent reminder, as voiced by the Jewish Council of Australia's Ohad Kozminsky, that "every beautiful poem is an act of resistance."
