Yves Tumor, Arca, Underscores & More Announced For VIVID Sydney 2024

The full program for this year’s VIVID Sydney festival has been announced, with the live music lineup featuring a swathe of international stalwarts and local legends.

The 2024 edition of VIVID will run for a mammoth 23 nights, kicking off on Friday May 24 and wrapping up on Saturday June 15. This year’s program was curated to spotlight “the essence of humanity”, with a press releasing noting that its team are working with the ethos of showing “how creativity fuels our interconnected world”.

In a press release, festival director Gill Minervini said of the endeavour: “Humanity is at the core of everything we do, and this year VIVID Sydney is diving deep into what makes us uniquely human. We have curated a diverse program that explores the human spirit, designed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. Everyone is invited to be part of this global event in the world’s most beautiful city to connect, create and celebrate.”

Kicking off the program on May 24 will be headline shows from Tia Gostelow, Arca and Kaiit, a co-headliner from Mallrat and Tiffi, and the first of two shows farewelling local institution Spunk Records (as announced earlier today) with performances from Explosions In The Sky, Aldous Harding and The Middle East.

Throughout the rest of May, festivalgoers will be able to catch sets from the likes of Maple Glider (Sunday May 26 at the Opera House), Zion Garcia (Wednesday May 29 at the Opera House), Thelma Plum (also May 29 at the Opera House), Yung Lean (Thursday May 30 at the Opera House), Cult Shotta (also May 30 at the Opera House) and Underworld (May 30 and Friday June 1 at the Opera House), among others.

June’s lineup is absolutely stacked, too, featuring heavyweight acts like Sky Ferreira (Sunday June 2 at the Opera House), Underscores (Wednesday June 5 at Machine Hall), Jen Cloher (Thursday June 6 at Machine Hall), Yves Tumor (Monday June 10 at Carriageworks), No Fixed Address (Wednesday June 12 at Machine Hall), Yasiin Bey of Mos Def (June 12 and Friday 13 at Carriageworks), Deerhoof (June 13 at Machine Hall), Teenage Joans (June 13 at Tumbalong Park) and 3% (Friday June 14 at Tumbalong Park).

The full program spans 68 live music events, including 12 nights of free performances at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour. Head here to see all the gigs announced.

“Vivid Music in 2024 elevates artist stories and connects audiences in a diverse range of spaces,” says VIVID Music curator Julian Ramundi, “from cultural institutions and theatres to free and accessible spaces across the Vivid Light Walk. Hear music in new parts of our city and gather to celebrate voices from all around the world, artists who remind us that songs vibrate at the centre of our shared humanity.”