# Nancy Bates (singer)

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Australian singer-songwriter

Nancy Bates At the Fleurieu Folk Festival in 2016 Occupation Singer-songwriter

**Nancy Bates** is an [Aboriginal Australian](/source/Aboriginal_Australian) singer-songwriter, guitarist, and teacher based in [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide). She is known for her music project *Songs Inside*, in which she taught inmates in a [women's prison](/source/Women's_prison) in [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide) to sing, write songs, and play an instrument, which gave rise to [a 2024 film of the same name](/source/Songs_Inside) by documentary filmmaker [Shalom Almond](/source/Shalom_Almond). She is also known for her show *Still Talkin' Bout A Revolution*, based on the works of [Tracy Chapman](/source/Tracy_Chapman).

## Early life

Nancy Bates was born in [far west New South Wales](/source/Far_West_(New_South_Wales)), near [Broken Hill](/source/Broken_Hill), of [Barkindji](/source/Barkindji) / [Wilyakali](/source/Wilyakali) heritage.[1]

## Career

Bates worked and toured with [Archie Roach](/source/Archie_Roach) from 2013 until 2017, as a [backing vocalist](/source/Backing_vocalist) and guitarist,[1][2] before starting to work with incarcerated women.[3] In 2015, she sang Roach's song "Beautiful child" in duet with [Ellie Lovegrove](/source/Ellie_Lovegrove) for the 25th Anniversary Edition of *[Charcoal Lane](/source/Charcoal_Lane)*.[4]

She has worked with and in [Adelaide Women's Prison](/source/Adelaide_Women's_Prison) for many years, teaching inmates how to write songs, sing, and play the [ukulele](/source/Ukulele).[5] Her project, later called *Songs Inside*, aimed at preventing vulnerable Indigenous women returning to prison after finishing their term. The women selected for the project were taught to play [ukeleles](/source/Ukelele), and assisted in writing songs. At the end of the program, some of the participants (the "Song Birds Ensemble") performed alongside Bates at an [Australia Day](/source/Australia_Day) concert, backed by the [Adelaide Youth Orchestra](/source/Adelaide_Youth_Orchestra).[6][7] She said that she wanted to use her privilege to highlight women who had been incarcerated, not to celebrate Australia Day, but to promote discussion around the concept of [Invasion Day](/source/Invasion_Day) or Survival Day, as it has become known by many Aboriginal people.[5]

In March 2021 Bates performed her show with a backing band, *Talkin' Bout a Revolution*, based on the work of [African American](/source/African_American) singer-songwriter [Tracy Chapman](/source/Tracy_Chapman), at the [Adelaide Fringe](/source/Adelaide_Fringe).[8][9] In March 2022, Bates showcased her new show *Still Talkin' Bout A Revolution* at the Adelaide Fringe, which won the Best Music award there. In July 2023, she performed the show at [Theatre Royal](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_Hobart) in [Hobart](/source/Hobart), Tasmania, as part of the Festival of Voices.[10] In November 2024, she toured regional towns in [South Australia](/source/South_Australia) with the show. Side by side with the tour, she gave workshops to developing songwriters.[11]

Also at the 2022 Adelaide Fringe, she created the soundtrack for a huge performance piece called *Sky Song*, with the music of Archie Roach, Allara, Corey Theatre, Aimee Volkofsky, and [Electric Fields](/source/Electric_Fields).[12]

In July 2024, Bates, along with Indigenous [Mapuche](/source/Mapuche) Chilean-Australian singer and guitarist LENI, gave a concert in [Prospect](/source/Prospect%2C_South_Australia) town hall, Adelaide, as part of [NAIDOC Week](/source/NAIDOC_Week) celebrations.[13]

In early March 2025, she launched her new album, *Share Your Love* at a concert titled "Nancy Bates & Friends", at the [Arts Theatre](/source/Arts_Theatre%2C_Adelaide) in Adelaide, as part of the Adelaide Fringe.[2] On 15 March, she performed at the Umeewarra Downtown Aboriginal Music Festival in [Port Augusta](/source/Port_Augusta), a festival headlined by [Troy Cassar-Daley](/source/Troy_Cassar-Daley) and [Dem Mob](/source/Dem_Mob).[14] In October 2025, she performed at the [Adelaide Guitar Festival](/source/Adelaide_Guitar_Festival), opening for [Troy Cassar-Daley](/source/Troy_Cassar-Daley), with her band and special guests, [Melody Pool](/source/Melody_Pool) and [Ellie Lovegrove](/source/Ellie_Lovegrove). showcasing songs from *Share Your Love*. She shared a message from prison reform activist Tabitha Lean, and told the audience about the Aboriginal-led organisation prisoner-advocacy group [Sisters Inside](/source/Sisters_Inside).[15]

## Other activities

Bates runs her own music promotion, education, and advocacy company for emerging First Nations artists, Deadly Management.[1]

She continues to advocate for imprisoned women.[15] She is also a strong mental health advocate, and in 2023 was ambassador to the [Australian Performing Rights Association](/source/Australian_Performing_Rights_Association).[10]

Bates was an ambassador for the Adelaide Fringe in 2025,[2] which she saw as her "responsibility as an artist to uphold our values, to promote creativity, to promote the arts, to promote the Fringe".[9]

## Film

In 2024, Adelaide documentary filmmaker [Shalom Almond](/source/Shalom_Almond) accompanied Bates to the prison over a period of months, and made a feature documentary film called *[Songs Inside](/source/Songs_Inside)*, which won several awards.[16][17][18][19]

## Recognition and awards

In March 2022, her show *Still Talkin' Bout A Revolution* won Best Live Music at the [Adelaide Fringe](/source/Adelaide_Fringe).[10][2] Bates was a finalist in the [2021 Australian Women in Music Awards](/source/2021_Australian_Women_in_Music_Awards) (which were postponed until May 2022), in the Humanitarian Award category.[13][20]

In 2023, she was awarded the Critics' Choice Star on the [Adelaide Festival Centre Walk of Fame](/source/Adelaide_Festival_Centre_Walk_of_Fame)[13] for her show *Still Talkin' Bout A Revolution*.[21]

In March 2024, Bates was announced as one of two Indigenous [artists-in-residence](/source/Artist-in-residence) at the [Sydney Conservatorium of Music](/source/Sydney_Conservatorium_of_Music), along with Tim Gray, a member of reggae fusion group Green Hand Band. In its second iteration of the programme, the two musicians mentor [Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander](/source/Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander) students and collaborate with Sydney Conservatorium students and staff in the creation of original music.[1]

## Personal life

Bates' partner James, who had also been her manager, died from [aesophageal cancer](/source/Aesophageal_cancer) after they had only been together a few years. Her song, "We Won't Lose", written as a tribute to him, won a South Australian music songwriting award and progressed to a national competition.[22]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-unisyd2024_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-unisyd2024_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-unisyd2024_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-unisyd2024_1-3) ["Sydney Con announces 2024 Indigenous Artists-in-Residence"](https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/03/05/sydney-con-2024-music-indigenous-artists-in-residence.html). *[The University of Sydney](/source/The_University_of_Sydney)*. 5 March 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250707234436/https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/03/05/sydney-con-2024-music-indigenous-artists-in-residence.html) from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fringe2025_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fringe2025_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-fringe2025_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-fringe2025_2-3) ["Our Ambassadors"](https://adelaidefringe.com.au/our-ambassadors). *Adelaide Fringe*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250906072647/https://adelaidefringe.com.au/our-ambassadors) from the original on 6 September 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-smith2024_3-0)** Smith, Matthew (29 October 2024). ["Documentary on music program helping Adelaide Women's Prison inmates survive to premiere at Adelaide Film Festival"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-30/documentary-features-unique-prison-music-program/104524250). *ABC News*. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Charcoal Lane (25th Anniversary Edition)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240911185855/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/cd-roach-archie-charcoal-lane-25th-anniversary-edition-2cd). [JB Hi-Fi](/source/JB_Hi-Fi). Archived from [the original](https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/singer-songwriter/charcoal-lane-25th-anniversary-edition/682557/) on 11 September 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-francis2024_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-francis2024_5-1) Francis, Annabel (24 January 2024). ["Singer-songwriter Nancy Bates hopes to help female prisoners from reoffending through music"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-25/nancy-bates-helps-female-prisoners-music-program/103380030). *ABC News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241108022044/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-25/nancy-bates-helps-female-prisoners-music-program/103380030) from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Doherty, Peta (25 January 2024). ["Songs Inside: The Indigenous-led music program giving female prisoners a voice through song"](https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/songs-inside-the-indigenous-led-music-program-giving-female-prisoners-a-voice-through-song/7xkd7tkpd). *[SBS News](/source/SBS_World_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240815102101/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/songs-inside-the-indigenous-led-music-program-giving-female-prisoners-a-voice-through-song/7xkd7tkpd) from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Aus Lights 2024"](https://australiadaysa.com.au/aus-lights-2024/). *Australia Day Council South Australia*. 18 December 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250709055448/https://australiadaysa.com.au/aus-lights-2024/) from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Choujar, Sahil (23 February 2022). ["\[Review, *Still Talkin' Bout a Revolution*\]"](https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringefeed/reviews/1369). *Adelaide Fringe*. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-int2025_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-int2025_9-1) ["2025 Fringe Ambassador Nancy Bates on Art, Representation, and Reconciliation at Adelaide Fringe"](https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringefeed/news/2025-fringe-ambassador-nancy-bates). *Adelaide Fringe*. 10 January 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250809115451/https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringefeed/news/2025-fringe-ambassador-nancy-bates) from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tr2023_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tr2023_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-tr2023_10-2) ["Still Talking 'Bout a Revolution"](https://www.theatreroyal.com.au/shows/still-talking-bout-revolution). *Theatre Royal*. 7 July 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250331070744/https://www.theatreroyal.com.au/shows/still-talking-bout-revolution) from the original on 31 March 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Nancy Bates: Still Talkin' Bout A Revolution"](https://www.countryarts.org.au/events/nancy-bates-still-talkin-bout-a-revolution/). *[Country Arts SA](/source/Country_Arts_SA)*. 12 February 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250516095831/https://www.countryarts.org.au/events/nancy-bates-still-talkin-bout-a-revolution/) from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Nancy Bates' songs that bring stories to light"](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/nancy-bates-take-5/13770938). *[ABC listen](/source/ABC_listen)*. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-naidoc2024_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-naidoc2024_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-naidoc2024_13-2) ["Nancy Bates & LENI"](https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/naidoc-week-events/naidoc-week-nancy-bates-leni). *NAIDOC*. July 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250330111534/https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/naidoc-week-events/naidoc-week-nancy-bates-leni) from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Levy, Maximilian (12 March 2025). ["The Umeewarra Downtown Aboriginal Music Festival returns to Port Augusta this March"](https://glamadelaide.com.au/the-umeewarra-downtown-aboriginal-music-festival-returns-to-port-augusta-this-march/). *Glam Adelaide*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250406130814/https://glamadelaide.com.au/the-umeewarra-downtown-aboriginal-music-festival-returns-to-port-augusta-this-march/) from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-wilson2025_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-wilson2025_15-1) Wilson, Jayda (2 October 2025). ["Adelaide Guitar Festival review: Troy Cassar-Daley and Nancy Bates"](https://www.indailysa.com.au/inreview/music/2025/10/02/adelaide-guitar-festival-review-troy-cassar-daley-and-nancy-bates). *[InDaily](/source/InDaily)*. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-curb2025_16-0)** Almond, Shalom (13 August 2025). ["MIFF Interview: Shalom Almond on putting humanity at the core of Songs Inside"](https://www.thecurb.com.au/miff-interview-songs-inside-shalom-almond/) (audio + text). *[The Curb](/source/The_Curb_(website))*. Interviewed by Peirce, Andrew F. Retrieved 28 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rice2025_17-0)** Rice, Zoe (February 2025). ["SA doco Songs Inside wins big at Sydney Film Festival"](https://www.indailysa.com.au/salife/people-and-places/2024/12/19/the-power-of-song). *[SA Life](/source/SA_Life)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250704043505/https://www.indailysa.com.au/salife/people-and-places/2024/12/19/the-power-of-song) from the original on 4 July 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025. The article originally featured in the February 2025 SALIFE magazine.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-meet2025_18-0)** Knopoff, Alex (20 November 2025). ["Meet the Adelaide Studios Tenant: Shalom Almond"](https://www.safilm.com.au/latest-news/meet-the-adelaide-studios-tenant-shalom-almond/). *[South Australian Film Corporation](/source/South_Australian_Film_Corporation)*. Retrieved 28 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-keast2025_19-0)** Keast, Jackie (8 September 2025). ["'Songs Inside' wins $100K CinefestOZ Film Prize"](https://if.com.au/songs-inside-wins-100k-cinefestoz-film-prize/). *[IF Magazine](/source/IF_Magazine)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250908074106/https://if.com.au/songs-inside-wins-100k-cinefestoz-film-prize/) from the original on 8 September 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Brewster, Will (31 August 2021). ["Australian Women in Music Awards reveals finalists as it pushes event back to 2022"](https://themusicnetwork.com/australian-women-music-awards-event-postponed-finalists/). *[The Music Network](/source/The_Music_Network)*. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Meet our 2023 Walk of Fame stars"](https://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/digital/meet-our-2023-walk-of-fame-stars). *Adelaide Festival Centre*. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Nancy Bates' beautiful tribute to partner"](https://www.facebook.com/abcadelaide/videos/1176906750999896/) (video + text). *Facebook*. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025. Australian singer/songwriter Nancy Bates joined 891 [ABC Radio Adelaide](/source/ABC_Radio_Adelaide)'s Jo Laverty to talk about her latest song 'We Won't Lose' that has won a South Australian music songwriting award and now will be entered into a national competition. The song was written for her partner James who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and played to him in his final days before he passed.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.nancybates.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nancy Bates (singer)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Bates_(singer)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Bates_(singer)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.