Vivid Sydney is back in action, but it’s not just the sparkly lights and foodie offerings (including a flame-fuelled market) that have caught our attention. The Vivid Music program is back with a vengeance, and between free outdoor concerts, exclusive gigs, sweaty dance parties, iconic international acts and local legends, there’s a whole lot of noise to get around.
We've done the browse work for you and unearthed the acts, venues and big nights out you should put your coin behind (or even enjoy for nix). Take your pick, and light up your winter with one of these bespoke gigs going down between May 23 and June 14.
Photograph: Anna Kucera | Ayesha Madon
Tumbalong Nights will return to Darling Harbour, with free entertainment hitting the outdoor stage every night. DJs will keep the party going from Sunday to Wednesday, while live music starts at 7.30pm every Thursday to Saturday (plus Sunday 8 and Monday 9 June for the long weekend), with kids’ shows from 5–6pm on Saturdays. Rising star and Time Out Sydney cover girl Ayesha Madon will kick things off, sharing a double bill with fellow Sydney pop singer Charley (Fri, May 23). The free concert series also features local surf-rock darlings Winston Surfshirt, Sydney rockers Body Type, V-Pop sensations Mỹ Anh and Chi Xê, Grammy-winning African artist Dobet Gnahoré, Stella Jang from Korea, India’s Zaeden and former bass player for Prince, MonoNeon. (Check out all the acts and dates over here.)
Photograph: SOH/Dean Tirkot | Lady Fur for House of Mince
At the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Vivid LIVE program ensures that the illuminating action is never just contained to the building’s exterior. The line-up boasts over 50 cutting-edge and legendary international and Australian artists, including British singer and spellbinding performer Anohni and The Johnsons, Beth Gibbons from Portishead, Sigur Rós with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, indie pop darlings Japanese Breakfast, soulful indie-folk crooner Marlon Williams, neo-soul artist Ravyn Lenae, plus homegrown trailblazers Miss Kaninna, SAHXL and more. If you are determined to dance, then the 18-plus Studio Party sessions at the Opera House are calling you – including nights curated by the likes of beloved Sydney DJ Barney Kato, queer party collective House of Mince, influential label Trackwork, and others. (Check out all the acts and dates over here.)
Photograph: Bruce Baker/Flickr | Ngaiire
Speaking of moving to a different beat, Carriageworks is also ready to get lit with performances by lo-fi house and techno producer Mall Grab, Sydney-based Papuan New Guinean artist Ngaiire set to deliver her most visceral and transcendent work yet, and Byron Bay duo Skegss bringing their raw mix of surf and garage rock. (Check out all the acts and dates over here.)
Photograph: Supplied/Heaps Gay
The City Recital Hall is getting in on the Vivid action for the first time with some rather spectacular events, including An Evening with Warren Ellis and a gig with indie rock icon Soccer Mommy, but they’re really taking it to the next level with Sound Escape on Saturday, June 7 – a day-into-night party that’ll see the venue transformed into a surrealist dream of light and sound, with over six hours of music from more than 20 bands, solo artists and DJs, across four stages – from the Jungle Giants on the mainstage, to Heaps Gay taking over the ground floor. (Check out all the acts and dates over here.)
If you love a taste of contemporary cabaret and the old razzle dazzle, then you can’t go past Vivid Sydney Supper Club – it’s your late-night, speakeasy-style escape at Mary’s Underground, a haven for music, mischief and midnight snacks every Thursday and Friday of the festival. The eclectic line-up includes a celebration of Broadway’s best hosted by comedian Mark Humphries, a queer pop extravaganza hosted by musical theatre star Ryan González donned The Pink Pony Supper Club, a celebration of Eurovision, and more camp shenanigans. (Check out all the acts and dates over here.)
Vivid Music doesn’t stop there – there’s also the Oxford Art Factory hosting a sold-out show with UK rapping sensations Pete & Bas, and the Metro Theatre will see local labels Bad Apples and NLV Records celebrate their 10th anniversaries in separate events.
Safe to say, there’s bound to be something to move everyone this year. You can explore the full Vivid Music program over here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.