Vivid LIVE 2023 – a kaleidoscope of sound

Arts & Entertainment Sound

City Hub Contributor
May 8, 2023

By EMMY WHITE

Running between Friday, 26th May and Saturday, 17th June, Vivid LIVE will take over the Sydney Opera House with a spectacular lineup of both local and international artists. It will feature over 45 musicians, including nineteen international artists and six Australian debuts.

Since its first festival in 2009, Vivid Sydney has been voted Australia’s best tourism event six times and has become one of Sydney’s most loved attractions. Vivid LIVE is the musical centrepiece of the event, showcasing artists from a variety genres, from orchestral masterminds to indie rock icons.

German pianist and composer Max Richter will return to Vivid for the first time since 2016, when he wowed Australian audiences with his eight-hour epic Sleep. This year, he will be accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, alongside conductor Matthew Lynch.

American artist Ethel Cain will deliver her first Australian performance in the Sydney Opera House’s drama theatre from 2nd June to 4th June. Often likened to American gothic Lana Del Rey, Cain released her highly acclaimed debut album Preacher’s Daughter in 2022, with her song “American Teenager” making its way onto Barack Obama’s annual playlist.

Vivid LIVE will also feature a number of talented local artists, including Jaguar Jonze, Becca Hatch, Budjerah and legendary Sydney Jazz trio The Necks.

The Necks first performed at Vivid LIVE in 2009 at the special request of curator Brian Eno. Dubbed “the greatest trio on earth” by the New York Times, the group’s hypnotic masterpieces have earned them multiple ARIA and APRA awards, as well as a number of film scores.

Wollongong band Pirra will also make an appearance, performing in the Sydney Opera House’s Utzon Room on 1st June. Named after the Luritja word for moon, the four piece indie pop group consists of Luritja-descended singer-songwriter Jess Beck, guitarist James McKendry and twins Curtis and Jeffrey Argent on bass and drums.

The lineup also includes prominent artists like Cat Power, Thundercat, Kimbra, José González and Ella Mai.