First Light

First Light opens Vivid Sydney by celebrating and honouring the continuous protocol of our nation's First People with a unique Welcome to Country incorporating a call-in country performance followed by acts from artists spanning Arnhem Land to Africa, representing many First Nations across language groups.

See dance groups Muggera and Jannawi Dance Clan dance on the lands, singing up water and sky Country alongside a Haka and calling from the land from Māori performers Te Aranganui.

Hear musicians share their stories, including: musical trailblazers Yothu Yindi, the Yolngu supergroup and ARIA Hall of Fame members behind Treaty; world-renowned Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal; Chantel Cofie, and African drum and dance ensemble Wontanara.

Ancient chants will invite those residents who now call this land home to share their age-old calls and responses as we celebrate Vivid Sydney 2023 with a unique Calling Country.

First Light is a very special opening celebration to launch Vivid Sydney. It will be broadcast across the Light Walk on opening night and an edited version every night of the festival before Lights On!

Curated by Vivid Sydney's First Nations Advisor Rhoda Roberts AO.

Audio

The audio for this installation will be available on Cinewav. Click the icon below to download the audio ticket.

Click the icon below to download the audio ticket.

Before you arrive at Vivid Sydney, download the Cinewav app, get your audio ticket and press 'PLAY'.

Find more information on how Cinewav works.