VIVID Live Announce Massive 2023 Program

The Sydney Opera House has today revealed the full line up for its contemporary music event, Vivid LIVE 2023.

The program takes place as a part of Vivid Sydney, Australia’s largest festival of light, music ideas and food. The shows will take place from Friday the 26th of May until Saturday the 17th of June. 

Vivid LIVE will transform the opera house inside and out and will feature 45 artists including 19 international artists, six Australian exclusives, three orchestral collaborations and four party collectives.

It will take place in the Concert Hall, the Joan Sutherland Theatre and the intimate spaces of the Utzon Room, the Drama Theatre, the dance floor of the Studio and on its iconic sails.

Speaking on the line up, Opera House’s head of contemporary music Ben Marshall stated and highlighted some of the key events.

“You’ll remember when the music strikes you at the Sydney Opera House this year. From Cat Power exclusively reinterpreting the moment Bob Dylan went electric, Devonté Hynes going classical with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in his only Australian appearance, Jaguar Jonze’s unique one-off presentation of The Art of Broken Pieces, to José González stripping everything back to just himself and a guitar for his exclusive residency celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his seismic album Veneer.”

He continued, “We are incredibly proud to host the Sydney debuts of Max Richter’s majestic, moving Ambient Orchestra and the mighty Ethel Cain, to present the triumphant return of Ella Mai and welcome Yaeji back for two exclusive nights, and to finally present the first Sydney Opera House headline performances from artists like Budjerah, Weyes Blood, Thundercat, Becca Hatch, Sleaford Mods, Birdz & Fred Leone and many others. 

“And, as always, we hand the building over to the brilliant local collectives who help make Sydney somewhere worth living – from House of Mince’s 12th birthday to Mad Racket, Picnic and Future Classic’s Studio parties and Low Life’s stunning curation of Scandinavian post-punk plus more, over two evenings of Posh Isolation.”

The full line up’s highlights include:

Concert Hall
In the Concert Hall, Devonté Hynes will return to Australia for the first time performing a suite of classical works alongside the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Grammy Award Winning R&B artist Ella Mai will return with her lush grooves and old-school soul.

The king of the bass Thundercat will also perform his fusion of jazz, funk, R&B and hip hop for his first Australian show in 5 years. 

Hiatus Kaiyote will also combine with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to expand their sonic territory at their biggest show to date. 

Joan Sutherland Theatre
Korean-American producer  Yaeji returns to Australia with her blend of house and left field beats with a new immersive multimedia live show.

 Kimbra, Weyes Blood, Alfa Mist with special guests including Ella Haber will also bless the Joan Sutherland Theatre.

Drama Theatre
Ethel Cain will perform an exclusive NSW show in her first Australian appearance, bringing her haunting gothic pop to Vivid LIVE.

Jen Cloher the Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu indie legend will also bring their raw, rock n roll inspired anthemic pop to the Drama Theatre.

Utzon Room
The Utzon Room will be blessed by a performance from soul pop sensation Budjerah off the back of supporting Ed Sheeran on his Australian tour.

Jaguar Jonze will also present an Australian exclusive performance titled The Art Of Broken Pieces which combines art, music, voice performance and her multicultural experience to present a love letter to music. She will tell the untold story that has carried her to this moment and her rallying cry for change.

Utzon Room
The Utzon Room will be blessed by a range of amazing emerging and well established acts across Australia.

It includes performances from the likes of Becca Hatch, Birdz & Fred Leone, Ashli, Maina Doe, Pirra, Pania and Jacoténe.

Studio - VIVID LIVE PARTIES
The Studio will host four parties that celebrate local club culture in Australia from the Opera House’s favourite club scene innovators. 

It includes Studio Parties from the likes of Mad Racket (with PLAID), Picnic, Future Classic bringing Nikki Nair & Martin Bootyspoon and the House Of Mince 12th Birthday.