Sydney Festival has consistently proven to be one of the most important, invigorating cultural events in Australia, and 2017 is no exception. Under the guise of newly appointed director Wesley Enoch, the dizzyingly diverse new program has now been unveiled. With more than 150 events across 46 venues, we’re already counting down the minutes until January 2017.
As ever, the musical program is full of profoundly exciting names, cutting edge experimentation, and an excellent array of local talent. Leading the charge is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and PJ Harvey, both in support of new releases, Skeleton Tree and The Hope 6 Demolition Project respectively. Both artists will also embark on a national tour. For Cave in particular, these concerts are set to be among the most powerful of his career, given the deeply personal nature of the harrowing and beautiful album.
The musical lineup also includes Wafia, multi-instrumentalist and loop pedal aficionado Moses Sumney, master of ambient soundscapes Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, virtuosic pianist Lubomyr Melnyk, Weyes Blood, Cash Savage, Jessy Lanza and the mighty Regurgitator, reprising their Velvet Underground cover spectacular, performing The Velvet Underground & Nico in its entirety.
Music is only one of the festival’s many streams, with endless events, exhibitions, theatrical performances, dance and talks taking place all across the city – and many of them are even free. The festival champions local culture alongside international guests, and this year is shaping up to be one of the most unique, immersive, and challenging to date.
Sydney Festival kicks off January 7th-29th, 2017. Check out the full program here.
Sydney Festival 2017 Music Lineup
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
PJ Harvey
Music In The Key Of Yes (Featuring Dan Sultan, Adalita, Thelma Plum & more)
Yann Tiersen
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Szun Waves
Moses Sumney
Circuit Des Yeux
Wafia
Dori Freeman
Lake Street Drive
Regurgitator Perform The Velvet Underground & Nico
Cash Savage & The Last Drinks
Weyes Blood
Jessy Lanza
Mdou Moctar
Halfway
Gawurra
The Comet Is Coming
Ane Brun
Alim Qasimov Ensemble
Lubomyr Melnyk
Image: Sydney Festival