Created In Partnership With Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House
Sydney’s arts calendar will get a serious jolt of energy this May, with local tastemakers Astral People curating a bespoke program across one night during Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House.
Since forming in 2011, Astral People have become one of the country’s most innovative touring and events collectives, bringing artists including Fred again.., 100 Gecs, Grace Jones, Stormzy, Jamie xx, Oklou and more to Australian shores. The group has also helped manage the careers of local acts such as Cosmo’s Midnight, FUKHED, and Sam Alfred. Now, as part of their 15-year celebrations, on Wednesday, May 27th, Astral People are curating a lineup for a one-night-only venue-wide takeover during this year’s Vivid Sydney program. Here’s who’s on the lineup.
Brian Jackson/ Supplied
Gil Scott-Heron by Brian Jackson and Yasiin Bey
In a world-first, Astral People is hosting a heartfelt Concert Hall tribute to the inimitable Gil Scott-Heron: the jazz poet and rap pioneer whose political, spoken-word, jazz-infused performances helped to transform the rhythm and blues music of the ‘60s and ‘70s, paving the way for hip-hop. Led by Scott-Heron’s longtime collaborator and keyboardist, Brian Jackson, and featuring acclaimed rapper, musician and multidisciplinary artist (formerly known as Mos Def) Yasiin Bey, this celebration of music will revisit Scott-Heron’s catalogue, including the anthem of defiance and activism “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” and his catalogue of groundbreaking records that continue to influence contemporary music.
Flying Lotus/ Parker Day
Flying Lotus
One of the 21st century’s true musical visionaries, Grammy Award-winning artists Flying Lotus is returning to the Opera House for the first time in over a decade for Astral People’s May 27th takeover. A true polymath, he’s collaborated with Kendrick Lamar, Solange, Thom Yorke, Herbie Hancock and David Lynch. Across seven critically acclaimed albums — including his latest 2026 EP BIG MAMA — he’s built a reputation for pushing sonic boundaries. For one night only, Flying Lotus will headline the Joan Sutherland Theatre, bringing his legendary Layer³ show to the stage — an immersive 3D spectacle that fuses mind-blowing sound and psychedelic vision.
Hey, Love/ Supplied
Moonflower Suite: Maina Doe, NMMWL, KHYA & Hey, Love
Harnessing the spiritual power of music and poetry, Astral People have curated Moonflower Suite for the intimate harbour-view Utzon Room. Anchored by Sydney instrumental collective Hey, Love, Indonesian-born R&B star Maina Doe, South Sudanese poet NMMWL, and vocal and spoken-word Chilean-Australian talent KHYA, will come together for a fluid journey through jazz, soul, hip-hop, and poetry. Across the musical suite, the musicians enter as fluid vocal and spoken-word counterparts, weaving melody, poetry and narrative through live compositions. With each artist bringing a unique sound, expect an immersive, genre-blurring symphony of call-and-response.
KHYA/ LPxBIZZARRE
Studio Party feat. TOKiMONSTA & ONEMAN
To cap off the evening, Astral People have invited world-renowned techno groundbreakers: LA-based DJ and producer TOKiMONSTA and South London DJ ONEMAN to perform live at the Sydney Opera House, with lighting design by SOFT CENTRE’s Sam Whiteside. In a groundbreaking exploration of live electronic music, TOKiMONSTA will bring her pioneering sound to the Studio dancefloor. One of the architects of the 2010’s L.A. Beat Scene, TOKiMONSTA is renowned for collaborations with artists including Ryuichi Sakamoto and Anderson .Paak and remixes for Beck, Lil Uzi Vert, David Bowie and more. The artist was the first Asian American producer to be nominated for a Grammy Award for her 2017 album “Lune Rouge”, and her latest, “Eternal Reverie”, drew critical acclaim for its sleek, dreamy beats.
On Wednesday, May 27th, TOKiMONSTA will play alongside one of the UK’s premier mixers, DJ ONEMAN. The DJ made a name for himself on the London pirate radio station Rinse FM and is returning to Australia for his first Sydney performances in almost a decade. Known for his sets that blend dubstep, hip-hop, grime and UK garage, consider this your chance to witness two internationally acclaimed producers perform in the heart of Australia’s iconic landmark.
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TOKiMONSTA/ Supplied
For more information on Vivid LIVE and to browse the full program, visit the website.
Lead image: L-R: TOKiMONSTA & ONEMAN
