B2M – Mamanta
About
B2M (Bathurst to Melville) are a seven-piece Indigenous RnB band hailing from the Northern Territory’s Tiwi Islands, 80 kilometres north of Darwin where the Arafura Sea meets the Timor Sea. Formed in late December 2004, B2M are strong Tiwi men who write, sing and perform music that creates conversation across cultural, social and geographical boundaries.
Building on their international touring acclaim, in China, East Timor, Taiwan and, most recently, Ireland, B2M embarked on their first national tour. Their show Mamanta – meaning ‘friend’ in Tiwi – presents a unique performance, Tiwi style! Accompanied by new music releases, Mamanta presented a map of musical influences and explorations from around the world, while drawing on the rich local history of Tiwi Islands. Incorporating footage and imagery of contemporary Tiwi life, including church practice, football and influences from their art centres, Mamanta was a vibrant cultural experience told through a mix of dance, chants, song and film.
With such a strong tapestry of stories to draw from, including songlines that have never left the Tiwi Islands before, Mamanta was unlike anything ever seen. If you’ve never had an opportunity to travel to the Tiwi Islands before, this show took you on an illuminating cultural journey.
B2M – Mamanta toured nationally from August 2018
B2M – Mamanta 2018 National Tour
B2M – Mamanta 2018 Testimonials
Darwin packed Studio Theatre, Darwin Entertainment Centre on Sunday 18 November 2018 for B2M’s final show Mamanta on the back of a three-month national tour and 15 years together as a band. A huge shout-out from the crowd went to B2M for their insights and music.
Fans soaked up the electrifying atmosphere with family members, friends and the local arts industry. Humour and pumping tunes got the crowd dancing and singing, done B2M style! No one was left disappointed with their final show.
The evening was emotional with the ethos of B2M’s commitment to the Tiwi people, Indigenous issues and the nation formed an underlying current throughout the show, Mamanta. Darwin was treated to experience Tiwi ancient stories and songlines, with B2M honouring the past whilst celebrating the future. This was especially encapsulated at the end of the show when their children and family members were invited on stage for their final song as B2M.
VAMPtv, Northern Territory Music School interviewed Jeffrey ‘Yello’ Simon and shot exclusive footage of B2M’s final concert in Darwin, including behind-the-scenes.
Presented by Artback NT in association with Skinnyfish Music and funded by Playing Australia, Australia Council for the Arts, B2M visited 5 states, 1 Territory, performed 23 shows and conducted 15 workshops.
Read our Behind the Scenes story with Jeffrey ‘Yello’ Simon B2M’s trip to Taiwan.
Read our Behind the Scenes interview with B2M about their Adelaide adventure.
Audio descriptions 
B2M public program with the University of Southern Queensland and Ipswich City Council.
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Cast & crew
B2M
Shelton Murray, Greg Orsto, Fabian Kantilla, Daniel Cunningham, Damien Narul, Darren Narul, Jeffrey ‘Yello’ Simon
Mamanta
Producers: Artback NT and Skinnyfish Music
Director: Gail Evans
Music Co-producers and Collaborators: James Mangohig & Michael Hohnen
Film and Multi-media Content Director: Caro Macdonald
Tour Coordinator – Artback NT
Resources
Reviews
“B2M… wow, the music, the joy, the talent- it was contagious. It would have been a standing ovation that demanded an encore- but everyone was already on their feet dancing! We couldn’t get enough of them!”
Phaedra Watts, Artistic Director, Nannup Music Festival
“B2M Is Indigenous Australia’s Answer To The Backstreet Boys”
Cayla Dengate, Huffington Post
“B2M is the Tiwi Islands boyband conquering Asia”
Helen Davidson, The Guardian
“The ethos of B2M’s commitment to the Tiwi people, Indigenous issues and the nation formed an underlying current throughout the show, ‘Mamanta’. Darwin was treated to experience Tiwi ancient stories and songlines, with B2M honouring the past whilst celebrating the future.”
VAMPtv, Northern Territory Music School interviewed Jeffrey ‘Yello’ Simon and shot exclusive footage of B2M's final concert in Darwin, including behind-the-scenes.