Vivid Sydney just keeps getting bigger and brighter. This year’s festival is set to attract some of the most daring and renowned acts in the music biz to our sprawling harbour city. They reflect the ideals of Vivid: to push boundaries and offer a vibrant experience. Here are five of the top tickets in town for this year’s Vivid Music program.
1. MODULATIONS: GRACE JONES
Carriageworks, Sunday May 31 and Monday June 1
The iconic Grace Jones will be performing an electric show at Carriageworks, offering her own personal brand of experimental disco-go-punk. Jones has influenced countless contemporary artists as diverse as Rihanna, Santigold and Basement Jaxx. Credited as a major icon of the ’80s cross-dressing scene, Jones’ eclectic performance is sure to be a hit at the festival.
2. NEW WAVE SOUND: MUSIC FOR DOUBLE BASS
Seymour Centre, Thursday May 28
Double bassist Elsen Price and composer Andrew Batt-Rawden will be performing pieces on their instrument of choice at the Seymour Centre during its Vivid program this year. Price’s feature piece ‘Red Planet’ took just ten hours to complete, including composition, recording, editing and mastering. It’s a double bass opus that attempts to craft the sounds of the last days on Earth. Meanwhile, Batt-Rawden’s work is an exploration of time and rhythm that utilises a variety of instruments.
3. HOODOO GURUS
Powerhouse Museum, Friday May 22
Australia’s rocking sweethearts, the Hoodoo Gurus, will be performing with all past and current members in a one-off event at Vivid. Fans will hear six songs with the Gurus’ original lineup (which was without bass guitar), before Dave Faulkner and co. progress to their Stoneage Romeos lineup, which lasted roughly one year in 1984, and on to their current lineup. All those lineup changes, and one thing remains constant: the Gurus are an Aussie rock staple.
4. ODD WAVES: NEW WAVE ODDBALLS AND SYNTH WEIRDOS
Freda’s, Friday June 5
Does the idea of a sonic journey into the weird and wonderful icons of underground new wave tickle your fancy self? Graphic designer and DJ Steele Bonus is presenting a night of odd sounds from the most peculiar of the forgotten scene. He will be bringing along a few mates like Noise In My Head to help him work the decks and Elliot Shields to provide some visual stimulation. This is a night sure to figuratively explode your mind.
5. JANE TYRRELL
The Basement, Friday June 5
Jane Tyrrell is a name you likely have heard before, probably in conjunction with the Australian hip hop scene. It’s true that she’s known for singing with the likes of The Herd and Urthboy, but last year, she released a hot little debut album, Echoes In The Aviary. Tyrrell is taking the stage at The Basement for Vivid in a show that’s certain to feature her refreshing aural imagery alongside an explosion of visual aesthetics.
For more info on these, and other, events during Vivid Sydney 2015, head to the website.
