A new precinct at Barangaroo and a slew of new musical acts are just two of the biggest changes for the new-look 2017 Vivid Sydney Festival from May 26 to June 17.
The world’s largest celebration of light, music and ideas beams into Barangaroo with a trail of installations winding through intimate laneways, past waterfront vistas and into a foodie paradise.
Visitors will be immersed in A Day in the Light, an outdoor theatre of light and sound that lets them become part of the artwork, and treated to optical illusions at Trapdoor, which tells the stories of Barangaroo’s past.
The festival’s bright lights will return to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney with an expanded trail that will take visitors through the heart of the beautiful harbourside oasis.
Here, Birds of Lumos, inspired by the rare Rowi species of the New Zealand kiwi, will come to life as they glow and pulse with colour.
The nostalgic Dipping Birds, giant 2.5 metre illuminated sculptures, will change colour as they dip back and forth into a pond, and quirky installation You lookin’ at me? will turn heads as big glaring eyes follow passers-by.
A pop-up landmark celebrating our Harbour City, Sydneyland, will provide a beautiful and iconic photo backdrop for visitors and locals.
At the heart of the Vivid Sydney light walk, the Sails of the World-Heritage listed Sydney Opera House will be bought to life by a series of imaginary creatures curated and designed by acclaimed cinematographer, editor, and graphic designer Ash Bolland.
Audio Creatures will show creatures interacting with the environment, morphing and moving between each other across the iconic Sails.
The city’s icons will once again be transformed, including the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia with Organic Vibrations, a collaboration between Australian artist Julia Gorman and the Paris-based creative and artistic collective, Danny Rose.
Interactive lighting display Dreamscape will let visitors put their own colourful mark on the city’s skyline from Circular Quay along the Cahill Expressway to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The beat of the Vivid Music program is also stronger than ever with over 250 events in this year’s line-up.
Highlights include an Australian exclusive performance by electronic pop duo Goldfrapp and the return of Curve Ball – a large-scale live music and art event created by Fuzzy Music, both at Carriageworks.
Popular Vivid Music events return including Heaps Gay, Soul of Sydney, Purple Sneakers and The Argyle’s Tokyo Disco.
Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House will deliver an eclectic suite of not-to-be-missed performances from influential American folk-rock band Fleet Foxes, French electronic superheroes AIR, British singer and songwriter Laura Marling, and producer and bonafide hit-maker, Australia’s Nick Murphy.
City Recital Hall breaks from its classical roots with an incredible program – Metamorphosis – serving up everything from jazz and dance anthems, to multisensory masterpieces.
Sydney based indie rock band Dappled Cities will launch their new album IIIII (pronounced five), Grammy award-winning jazz singer Dianne Reeves will take to the stage in a special one off performance, and Paul Mac will host a Sound Bubble Sound Party.
In a Vivid Music first, Vivid Sydney has partnered with the City of Sydney to deliver a program across a multitude of city venues. Showcasing grassroots and emerging local music talent, highlights will include a new roof top festival from Cake Wines, Pie in the Sky, and a showcase of Women in Electronic Music at Oxford Art Factory.
