Adam Manning’s piece First Rhythms recontextualises clapsticks, First Nations rhythms, and visual art within a contemporary performance setting, guided by the Indigenous understanding that everything is alive and carries a pulse—such as the earth’s natural rhythm. By integrating traditional percussive elements with modern instrumentation, multimodal art, and a blend of improvisation and notation, First Rhythms embodies a living, breathing dialogue between sound, movement, and Country.

Adam Manning is the 2025 First Nations Artist in Residence with the Australian Art Orchestra—a program presented in partnership with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation.

Running time: 75 mins