Australia’s beloved festival of light, music and ideas, Vivid Sydney, is quickly approaching – and we’re impatiently counting down the days until May 22. This year’s musical line up is without doubt the biggest, best and most diverse yet – and that’s before we even start looking at the light displays and Vivid Ideas events. We recently had a chat with Vivid Music curator Stephen Ferris about how it all came to be, and we’re growing more excited by the day. Here are our top 15 choices for Vivid’s musical events, with info, ticketing details and more.
Squarepusher
Sufjan Stevens
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House (ONLY Australian shows)
Daniel Johns
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House (ONLY Australian shows)
The Drones
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House (ONLY Australian shows)
Vivid at Oxford Art Factory
Where: Oxford Art Factory, Oxford St, Darlinghurst
Tickets: From $20
Tickets and more info here
The Basement
Where: The Basement, 29 Reiby Place, Circular Quay
Tickets: From $15
Tickets and more info here
Modulations at Carriageworks
Head to Carriageworks for live music, art, installations and more throughout Vivid. The program itself, Modulations, “looks at where music, art and design intersect, overlap and influence each other.” Included in the festivities will be a combined effort from three of Sydney’s top club nights – Kooky, Motorik! and Pelvis, featuring Trevor Jackson and Daniel Wang, as well as Grammy-winning Pharoah Sanders and many more to be announced.
Where: 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
Tickets: Various
Tickets and more info here
Heaps Gay
Where: The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville
Tickets: From $35
Tickets and more info here
Royal Headache
Garage punks Royal Headache are returning home after two years abroad, with this show marking their homecoming. I caught them back in 2012 when they supported The Black Keys, where they could easily have been performing their own headline show. Packing more than a few punches, their reputation precedes them as a live act. They’ll be joined by their sonic family at Repressed Records, with more acts still to be announced, it’s advisable to pack from ear plugs – things are going to get very loud.
When: May 23
Where: The Joan Sutherland Theatre (Opera House)
Tickets: starting at $35.00
On sale now
Tickets and more info here
The Preatures
It was their single Is This How You Feel? that thrusted The Preatures into the international spotlight, ahead of their debut album Blue Planet Eyes. Performing at some of the greatest stages in this country and abroad, The Preatures have reached something of “national darlings” status, and will no doubt continue their rise to the top this year. They’ll be bringing their good old Australian rock & roll to the Opera House this year, ticking yet another accomplishment off their ever growing list.
When: May 27
Where: The Joan Sutherland Theatre (Opera House)
Tickets: starting at $35.00
On sale now
Tickets and more info here
FCX – 10 Years of Future Classic
Starting off as a vinyl-only imprint, Future Classic have always prided themselves on seeking out and delivering only the most cutting edge electronica, it’s been a long but successful 10 years for the Sydney based label. To celebrate, they’ll be descending onto the Opera House for a two night spectacular, showcasing all that they have become. Flume, Flight Facilities, Seekae, Touch Sensitive, George Maple, Hayden James, Wave Racer and Charles Murdoch will be playing over the two nights, with Flume and Flight Facilities performing on both. This is sure to be a night to remember!
When: May 29 and 30
Where: The Northern Boardwalk
Tickets: starting at $129 per night
On sale now
Tickets and more info here
The Hoodoo Gurus
Performing an exclusive one off performance, Australian living legends The Hoodoo Gurus will be playing at the Powerhouse Museum come late May. Titled Be My Guru: Evolution, Revolution, this performance will feature all eight past and current members as they relive their back catalogue in all it’s glory. Spoiler alert: the performance will end “with an all-in psychedelic, tribal finale featuring two drum kits, two basses and four guitars”, if you’re going to see a Vivid event, make it this one.
When: May 23
Where: The Powerhouse Museum
Tickets: starting at $62.50
On sale now
Tickets and more info here
Fractured Fantasies
Spoiled for choice? Looking for something a little different? Look no further than The Argyle, which will be playing host to three themed “Fractured Fantasies” for the full 18 nights of Vivid. The themes involved include Daft Punk inspired Discovery, which will feature a supposedly amazing tribute show, as well as Wonderland and Star Wars. There will also be salsa Wednesdays, a roster of DJs on rotation Vivid Sydney-inspired cocktails and plenty more to make any Vivid night fantastic!
When: May 22 – June 8
Where: The Argyle
Tickets: On sale soon
Tickets and more info here
RedBull Music Academy Presents: Astral People Feat. Robert Owens/Amir Alexander/Ben Fester/Preacha
Astral People are teaming up with RBMA for the third year running, taking over the Studio with one of their most exciting line ups yet. Chicago house golden age veteran Robert Owens will take to the decks alongside “next-gen hero” Amir Alexander in a one night only event, showcasing not only the prolific skills of both heavyweight names, but the undeniable knack of knowing what’s good that Astral People possess. Locals Ben Fester and Preacha will also be performing on the night, as it shapes up to be one of the most exciting events of the program.
When: 30 May
Where: The Studio
Tickets: $40
On sale now
Tickets and more info here
RedBull Music Academy Presents: Elefant Traks Feat. Joyride/Jayteehazard/DJ MK-1/Adit/Dggz
The RBMA fun doesn’t stop there! Elefant Traks will be treating the Opera House for the first time since 2012 with an all out hip hop/electronic invasion. Recruiting up-and-comer Joyride, Hilltop Hoods collaborator Jayteehazard, as well as DJ MK-1, Adit and Dggz also stepping up to the plate. From the crew that single handedly took homegrown Aussie hip hop and electronica from the suburbs to the national spotlight, responsible for The Herd, Hermitude, Urthboy, Horrorshow and Jane Tyrrell, this Elefant Traks takeover is going to be one of the wildest parties seen by any Vivid Program.
When: 31 May
Where: The Studio
Tickets: $40
On sale now
Tickets and more info here