This article is produced in collaboration with Vivid Sydney. Vivid Sydney is proudly owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.
Vivid Sydney is set to ensure its 2022 edition is one to remember, with this May and June on track to see the New South Wales capital transformed into an illuminating fusion of creativity, innovation and technology thanks to more than 200 unmissable events.
Returning for its 12th anniversary, this year’s edition of Vivid Sydney runs from Friday, May 27th until Saturday, June 18th, with hundreds of unique events celebrating the essence of Sydney’s soul, including its diversity, beauty, resilience, First Nations culture, and vibrant creative community.
Described as “an open invitation for Sydneysiders and visitors from Australia and the world, to come and experience Sydney at its creative best after dark”, the 2022 festival has been two years in the making, and is set to ensure that it was more than worth the wait for eager attendees.
“Vivid Sydney tells a compelling story of creativity, innovation, and technology through light, music, and ideas that is distinguishably Sydney, yet authentically universal,” explains Festival Director Gill Minervini, whose first Vivid Sydney captures the essence of the city’s soul and explores what makes it so unique.
“The 2022 program delivers fresh and engaging content, bringing feelings of joy, excitement, wonder, inspiration and hope to all who are innately drawn to it,” she explains.
English outfit Spiritualized will return to Australia as part of the Vivid Sydney 2022 lineup. (Photo: Supplied)
So what’s on offer this year? As always, Vivid Sydney aims to serve up a must-see roster of events, including the likes of the Vivid Music lineup. With some of the biggest names in local and international music coming together at venues all over the CBD, there’s no doubt this year’s festivities are some of the best ever.
Local icon Marcia Hine will premiere of The Gospel According to Marcia in the incredible surrounds of St Stephen’s Uniting Church. While international names such as Tommy Cash, Chai, Perfume Genius, and Perth’s Alter Boy are set to perform at Carriageworks.
The Vivid Music lineup also sees the likes of Baxter Dury make his Australian debut, bringing his louche sardonic music to Australia after more than two inimitable decades, and New Yorker Cakes Da Killa, who is at the forefront of heralding a new wave of queer hip-hop artists.
Similarly, Mo’ju, Elsy Wameyo, Mama Kin Spender, Kee’ahn, Haiku Hands, Mildlife, Gordon Koang, and Donny Bénet are just some of the names on the bill for the free Tumbalong Nights concert series at Tumbalong Park. As are The Morrisons, Lolo Lovina, and Cope St Parade, who will perform free shows as part of the Vivid Music at Central Station series throughout June.
The inaugural Vivid Sydney Supper Club also looks to serve as a highlight, serving as a variety-style show incorporating musical theatre acts, cabaret, dance, drag, comedy, surprise guests, acoustic pop-ups, jazz, DJs and more. Curated by beloved actor, cabaret performer, and drag artist, Trevor Ashley, the event is headlined by talents such as Mahalia Barnes, Emma Pask, Bob Downe, and Tim Freedman.
And of course, it’s impossible to look past this year’s lineup without mention of huge names such as Spiritualized, who make their return to Australia after five years, with the iconic Jason Pierce and co. on track to offer up tracks from their recently-released ninth album, Everything Was Beautiful.
Similarly, Vivid Live at Sydney Opera House continues the musical lineup, with the likes of Paul Kelly, Sampa the Great, Nils Frahm, and Tkay Maidza among those scheduled to perform at the iconic Sydney venue.
‘For Sydney with Love’: Artists such as Ken Done have contributed to the masterful Vivid Sydney 2022 lineup. (Photo: Spinifex Group)
Of course, it doesn’t end there, with the 2022 Vivid Light program boasting more than 50 light installations and projection artworks which will bring the city to life, with illuminating works by artists such as Ken Done (For Sydney with Love, Customs House projection), Leila Jeffreys (Temple installation at Walsh Bay, and Helen Eager (New York Sunday, MCA projection).
“I am incredibly proud the Vivid Light program showcases 25 Sydney-based artists delivering a true representation of how Sydney makes us feel: vibrant, awe-inspired, mischievous, uplifted and curious,” explains Minervini.
“Vivid Sydney’s Light collection features work from a vast array of artists, from the renowned Ken Done and Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, to Luca French, an 11-year-old boy and the youngest artist ever to participate in the Light Walk. It’s very exciting to deliver a refreshed and surprising program that will enthral audiences.”
Meanwhile, Vivid Ideas will feature more than 85 intriguing talks and workshops as it explores the forces shaping our society thanks to some of the world’s brightest minds and fearless global storytellers.
Highlights of the Vivid Ideas roster include the likes of Oscar and Emmy award-winning director, screenwriter and playwright Aaron Sorkin, American broadcast journalist, author and television personality Gretchen Carlson, global superstar musician, record label owner, multi –award-winning artist and actor Troye Sivan, and other big names, including James Valentine and H.G Nelson, and Brigid Delaney and Ben Law.
And of course, Vivid Sydney 2022 also offers a number of other experiences which can’t be categorised easily, including the likes of the House of Bombay Bar, which sees Bombay Sapphire partnering with the event for an immersive experience. And the Future Art is Vivid showcase of digital artists, which forms part of the opening night and has been created by former Potbelleez producer Dave Goode and former manager, Sats Moon (Myles Cooper).
Partnering with Vivid Sydney Light Walk artist Elliott Routledge and music producer Nicky Night Time, Bombay Sapphire is set to offer an incredible sensory experience alongside some fantastic cocktail offerings, inviting all to stir their creativity.
For the full rundown of performances, installations, events, dates, and times, be sure to head along to the Vivid Sydney website, where you can begin to understand the full scope of this immense lineup.
Vivid Sydney 2022
Friday, May 27th – Saturday, June 18th
Sydney, NSW
More info and tickets: Vivid Sydney
