Two Nights, One Ocean: Singsing Bilong Wan Solwata Brings Solomon Islands and Australian Artists Together in Auki and Honiara
12 November 2026, First Nations Australian, Solomon Islands and Australian artists will come together this week for SingSing Bilong Wan Solwata, a celebration of music, culture and collaboration as part of the Australian Government’s Australia now: Pacific edition – celebrating the deep cultural connections between Australia and the Pacific.
Presented by the Wantok Musik Foundation, the collaboration brings together kastom singers, bamboo panpipe groups and contemporary artists and will culminate in two public concerts in Auki and Honiara following a week of rehearsals, cultural exchange and community workshops.
From yidaki and panpipes to garamut and contemporary songwriting, visiting and local musicians will be working side by side, sharing songs, language and musical traditions and creating new music together.
The program features Dyagula, Charles Maimarosia, Vicky Houopa, Maekaaniani Cultural Group, Kaumaakonga, Natty D (Natty Dolaiasi), Beatrice Lewis, David Bridie, Ben Hakalitz, Russell Smith, Hillary Lui and more.
The artists have also taken part in community and school workshops exploring sound and language exchange, creating opportunities for local musicians, students and community members to connect with the visiting artists.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jeff Roach urged audiences in Auki and Honiara to make sure they came to the two concerts.
“SingSing Bilong Wan Solwata is producing some of the most strikingly beautiful music you will hear in your life: music made by some of the most renowned musicians from Solomon Islands and Australia. Your hearts will be lifted to hear the fragile beauty of their collaboration. Through Australia now, the Australian High Commission is truly honoured to support this exchange – and the friendships they build between Australian and Solomon Islands communities.”
The collaboration forms part of the Australian Government’s flagship public diplomacy initiative, Australia now: Pacific edition, which is supporting cultural collaborations and events in Solomon Islands and across the Pacific from June to December 2026.
Australia now: Pacific edition celebrates the rich cultural diversity of our region and strengthens connections grounded in mutual respect and shared heritage. The program focuses on three themes: Pacific voices and partnerships, First Nations connections, and the shared challenge of climate change.
Across the Pacific, joint performances, artist residencies, festivals, workshops and cultural heritage initiatives are bringing Australian and Pacific artists and communities together.
For more information, visit pacificaustralianow.com and follow Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands on Facebook at facebook.com/AustraliaInSolomonIslands, on Instagram at @AusinSols.
The shows
Friday 13 November – 2.30pm – Auki Showgrounds
Saturday 14 November – 6pm – National Museum Honiara
Source: Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands
