Vivid Sydney isn't all about the epic, the luminescent and the glitterati. If you want to dig into the underground cool of Sydney, take yourself to one of these gigs.
Tumbalong Nights
Across 12 nights of free contemporary music, Tumbalong Nights will host some of Australia’s finest acts including Yothu Yindi, Ziggy Ramo, Dan Sultan, Hatchie and Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir. International talent joining the line-up includes Japanese pop act Cornelius and London’s Esa’s Afro Synth Band. There’ll also be a very special celebration for 15 years of Triple J Unearthed High and DJs keep the vibes high from Sunday to Wednesday nights. Beloved Australian children's acts including Peter Combe and Zindzi and the Zillionaires kick things off before the lights turn on every Saturday from 5pm.
Free
Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June
Settings with Bambii and Tommy Gold
Rap, hip hop and electronic music with a fashion and design twist. There’ll be sets from Toronto producer and DJ Bambii, and London DJ and NTS Radio programmer Tommy Gold.
From $33
Universal, Darlinghurst
Thursday 1 June from 9pm to Friday 2 June 4am
Athletica x Bypass: Thermal Mass
A day-to-night dancefloor showcasing underground DJs. Featuring Moopie, Kalyani and Bobby Vibe Positive, as well as back to back sets from Baschoe and Rakish and Isa and Deepa. Plus, a portion of the profits will go towards Seed Mob, the first Indigenous youth climate network.
From $22
107 South Eveleigh, at 2 Davy Rd Eveleigh
Saturday 3 June from 2pm to 10pm
Club Service
Produced by rap and club music label Trackwork, this night is all about top-shelf sets and digital art. There’ll be dystopic reggaeton from Kelman Duran who was recently featured on Beyonce’s Renaissance, rap and electronic music from Utility, and many more.
From $21
The CTA Business Club, city centre
Saturday 3 June from 5pm to Sunday 4 June 2am
NLV Records All Night
NLV Records is one of Australia’s most trend-setting independent labels and at the forefront of the club, rap, dance and electronic scene. This night will celebrate its community of forward-thinking artists, producers with turbocharged sets from DJs like Nina Las Vegas, Anna Lunoe, FOURA and Big Skeez.
From $31
The Abercrombie, Chippendale
Saturday 10 June from 9pm to Sunday 11 June 5am
Nectar
An immense night of experimental club music – twisted techno, spacey electro and wonky baselines – from cutting edge Australian and UK artists. Dance the night away under an immersive lighting installation and enjoy sets from DJ Scorpion, Natalia (FBi Radio), Pure Space imprint head and DJ Andy Garvey, and Soft Centre co-creator Jemma Cole.
From $35
Civic Hotel
Saturday 17 June from 10pm to Sunday 18 June 4:30am
Nature’s Calling
Cutting-edge British-Pakistani selections, unearthed Arabic nuggets and spacey Detroit-inspired house. Featuring in-demand cold wave electronica act Nabihah Iqbal, Atlanta producer and keys player Byron The Aquarius, and Berlin mainstay Habibi Funk.
From $49
Sydney Masonic Centre, city centre
Saturday 17 June from 6pm to Sunday 18 June 1am
The City of Sydney support the Vivid Music program every year by providing cash support to small, local venues to enable them to curate, promote and market their own live music programs.
“The live music and performing arts sectors were among the hardest hit by the pandemic, with curtains drawn and venues closed as soon as we experienced our first cases of Covid. Vivid Sydney’s live music program focusses on supporting diverse artists, venues and audiences and is another way we’re helping our creative community back onto its feet,” Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said.
“I’m delighted that our partnership with Destination NSW will help celebrate our diverse creative industries and profile Sydney to the rest of the world as a major creative hub on the path to recovery.”