A collaboration between the City of Sydney and Destination NSW will see the introduction of a new Vivid Music program for Vivid Sydney 2024 that will host a mix of local, national and international artists and performers.
Machine Hall, a former electrical substation on Clarence Street in the city centre, will host 10 events over 11 days from 5 to 15 June.
The century-old venue will showcase music, culture and performances by emerging and established artists, covering everything from hyperpop, rock, dance and soul music, to fashion, voguing, First Nations artists, storytelling and queer acts.
The line-up of local and international artists includes US indie rockers Deerhoof, First Nations band No Fixed Address, singer-songwriter Jen Cloher and hyperpop artist Underscores, as well as dance parties with CLUB 4A, and Trackwork, the renowned House of Silky’s Grand Silky Ball and queer cabaret performance artists The Huxleys.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said the City of Sydney’s support of Vivid Sydney was important in ensuring local venues, not just the major attractions, benefit from the millions of visitors the festival brings to the city.
“Each year the festival shines a light on Sydney for the rest of the world to see – a reminder that this city is a major creative hub of the Asia-Pacific region with a diverse and thriving range of creative people,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It also underlines the value of collaboration between government and the private sector in creating one of Australia’s greatest festivals.
“The City of Sydney has supported the event for the last 14 years, and this year we’re investing more than $400,000 in cash and in-kind support to help Destination NSW create the program.
“I’m delighted that our partnership will see the introduction of a new music venue this year – spaces like Machine Hall are integral to Sydney’s cultural and creative industry, and supporting this sector is a key priority for us.
“I encourage everyone to get out and about during Vivid Sydney – this is an opportunity to be delighted, provoked and stimulated, and to see and experience Sydney in a new light.”
Vivid Sydney will be held from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June 2024.
The City of Sydney is also providing significant in-kind support for Vivid Sydney’s program of large-scale light installations and live performances including:
Gumscape with road and creatures
Customs House
24 May–15 June, 6–11pm
Much-loved Australian artist, Reg Mombassa, will bring his unique one-eyed koalas and robot-esque creatures to life on the façade of one of Sydney’s most celebrated buildings.
Originally created to conceal construction works at the Sydney Opera House in 2013, Mombassa’s abstract depictions of Australian landmarks, nature and animals will be showcased at Circular Quay.
Customs House Square
Saturday 25May, 7:30–8:10pm
Brothers and former Mental As Anything band members, Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty, created Dog Trumpet in 1990 as a side project. The band went on to release 8 albums that combine a mix of rock, psychedelic folk and semi-abstract blues, as well as tours of the country and US.
For one night only, the band will perform a selection of its songs along with some Mental As Anything classics, framed by the Gumscape with Road and Creatures artwork.
Dark Spectrum: A New Journey
Wynyard Tunnels
24May–15 June, 12pm–9.15pm
Stroll through a 1km abandoned underground tunnel of Sydney’s rail network. Enter the Dark Spectrum at Wynard Park between York and Carrington streets and be guided through 8 immersive rooms and discover a secret spectrum of touchable colour with 300 kaleidoscopic lasers, 500 handmade lanterns and over 250 searchlights in an underworld of intensity and power.
As well as direct funding, the City of Sydney will provide support through fee waivers for outdoor spaces including street closures, indoor venue hire, cleansing and waste services, and marketing support.
Earlier this year, the City of Sydney supported Destination NSW with a call to local businesses to be part of the festival. Through the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program, businesses have been encouraged to leverage the opportunity of the millions of visitors through offers, promotions and experiences.
