At Vivid Music, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a smorgasbord of FREE gigs around town where you can sample all manner of sonic delights. Indulge your senses as much as you dare, after all your hip pockets are being spared. 
 

VIVID ART AFTER HOURS

Beeline to the Art Gallery of NSW each Wednesday evening during Vivid Sydney for Vivid Art After Hours where you can enjoy free talks, live music, art experiences and mindfulness sessions. While you’re at the Gallery, catch the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize 2019 exhibitions too (admission prices apply). 

ANDREW BUKENYA - DO THE SPIKE THING
Wednesday 29 May 

After Meshel Laurie’s talk on Spirituality and Inner Life, be ready to shuffle and jive to Do The Spike Thing. In this live music tribute to our Vivid Ideas Game Changer: Spike Lee, the multi-talented Andrew Bukenya and his band take you on a musical journey through the soundtracks of the films by this provocative filmmaker and trail blazer.

OKENYO
Wednesday 5 June 

OKENYO uses her bewitching voice as she pushes the boundaries of electronic soul and pop. Described as ‘equal parts Frank Ocean, Grace Jones and M.I.A’, she is best known for the song Woman’s World from her debut album The Wave and has just released the new single Hang Your Hat. Catch this star on the rise.

JONATHON ZWARTZ LUNAR MODULE
Wednesday 12 June

After a talk by the producers from the ABC TV’s hit series You Can’t Ask That, step back and imagine the past. When Buzz Aldrin played a cassette during the lunar landing on 20 July 1969, Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon hung in the oxygen-free air. What else was on that Apollo 11 cassette? 
In An Astronaut’s Playlist, the awarded Jonathan Zwartz Lunar Module conjures the pathos of being in space and looking back at our tiny blue planet by reimagining the atmospheric music of Debussy, Bowie, Kraftwerk and AIR, The Killers.

GOLDEN AGE CINEMA AND BAR

Golden Age is a gem of a venue set in the heart of Surry Hills. Step inside and you’ll find lovingly restored interiors complete with a screening room and David Lynch-inspired bar. Live music strikes a chord with locals and visitors from Thursdays through Sundays. Check out their Vivid Music line up of FREE gigs. 

AUSTRALIA
1 June
Formed in 2013, Australia offers a sonically unique concoction of pub rock and 80’s new wave. Get ready to sing along. 

DINOSAUR CITY RECORDS TAKEOVER
6 June
Join beloved independent Sydney label Dinosaur City Records for a triple-bill takeover of the Golden Stage with No Local, Poison Abbey and punk outfit Australian Idol. 

HOLIDAY SIDEWINDER
13 June
Find out why pitch-perfect pop sensation, indie singer-songwriter and producer Holiday Sidewinder is a much-loved darling of the Sydney music scene.

EILLISH GILIGAN
15 June
Melbourne-based producer, songwriter and ‘feelings-feeler’ Eilish Gilligan harbours an unwavering love for all things pop. Hear her deep, intricate and vulnerable music that will restore your faith in the genre.

HARPOON HARRY’S

The independent and heritage-listed Hotel Harry sits proud on the CBD fringe in the cultural heartland of Surry Hills. Harpoon Harry’s music curator Kali has lined up these FREE treats to tempt you. 

TOTAL GIOVANNI DJS. ALL NIGHT LONG
24 May
DJ quintet Total Giovanni has earned notoriety for their visually unique and highly energetic live shows. Expect dance music that enables a collective bacchanalian frenzy. 

ANIMALS DANCING PARTY
25 May
Crafty bears Andee Frost and Otologic take the reins all night long. Break out those mammalian moves. 

SIMON CALDWELL B2B JNETT
31 May
Sydney DJ kingpin Simon Caldwell is back for another all night masterclass and this time he has royal company in JNETT, Melbourne's undisputed queen of the dancefloor. 

HERE TO HELL PARTY
1 June 
None other than legendary ARIA-winner Paul Mac headlines this party with stellar support from Zero Percent, Kim Moyes (of The Presets) and DJ Mike Callander. It will be BIG.  

PLANET TRIP SHOWCASE
6 June
Get to know the who’s who on Planet Trip’s roster when they take the reins. 

ADI TOOHEY B2B KALI
7 June
The ultimate back-to-back with two favourite local DJs. Adi Toohey and Kali mix up house, breaks and disco for 100% good vibes. 

DAYDREAMS (DJs Melb)
8 June
Melbourne’s premier day party crew knows how to fill floors and close festivals with a blast. Limber up and break in your best treads.  

KEN OATH RECORDS SHOWCASE
13 June
Ken Oath Records give you a taste of what they’ve been cooking up over the past few years with Roy Batty Jr, Low Flung and Bocconcini alongside DJs Earl Grey and Greville.

2019: LOVEJOY PARTY
15 June
To close out their 2019 Vivid Music program, Harpoon Harry is handing the keys over to upcoming underground crew Lovejoy Pty Ltd for a very special debut. 

KINGS CROSS HOTEL

In the heart of the city’s most renowned nightlife precinct, the Kings Cross Hotel is a Sydney institution and an enduring icon. Bridging the divide between the Kings Cross of old and the evolving face of the ‘New’ Cross, the KXH remains firmly committed to bringing on the Good Times. Here’s a taste of the free gigs they have planned for Vivid Music. 

NINA LAS VEGAS
25 May
This lady is one of Australia’s leading DJs and tastemakers. She’s joined by Isa, Tyoow and Caitlin Medcalf who are making huge waves in the Australian dance music scene and beyond.

HEAPS DECENT X SHANTAN WANTAN ICHIBAN
8 June 
Dynamic arts organisation Heaps Decent teams up with radio presenter, MC, party promoter and DJ Shantan for a boom town night of hip-hop, dancehall, RnB and more. 

SODA FACTORY

The Soda Factory is Surry Hills’ late-night sweet spot. You’ll love the all-American diner fare and nostalgia-fuelled cocktails served up with live performers, bands and DJs. There’s always dance-floor action a-plenty to boot so bring your best moves. 

THE SOUL SENSE 
29 May
This one is dedicated to Sydney’s Soul Old Gangsters. The Soul Sense serves up classics. Enjoy some sprinkled with a touch of jazz and others slow-cooked in funk.

INTO THE NIGHT WITH FLORIAN
30 May
Reborn from the ashes of a lost musician, Florian is a femme-machine with an Aussie accent, pink hair and dance moves for days. Dive into her mix of originals and 80’s throwbacks. 

FOLK LIKE US
2 June
Sydney’s best, most heartfelt folk and indie artists including Hollie Col invite you to get weird… with or without your beard. 

LABYRINTH
3 June
Join us for a screening of Labyrinth and a night dedicated to the singer, songwriter, actor and musical genius we all love – the one and only, much missed Bowie. 

PURPLE RAIN
5 June
Calling all purple fans! Join us in the week of Prince’s birthday for a night dedicated to the original love symbol. 

WIND IT BACK WITH CASUAL CONNECTION
9 June
Casual Connection delivers nostalgia with a twist. Sample fresh takes on Disco-edits, Funk and RnB gems that will put a smile on your dial and a swing in your hips.  

Round out your nights by seeing all the joys of Vivid Light on your way to or from the gigs. Have fun!