Vivid Sydney is about to beam into town again. The lights, music and ideas festival takes over Sydney for three transformative weeks from Friday, May 24.
Each year there's a veritable buffet of things to see, and while venues like the Sydney Opera House are the flashy golden children of the city, there's also a heckin' lot going on in the quiet achievers around town. Vivid's XǀCelerate program sees to that, presenting the kind of intimate, creative gigs and club nights that small live music venues in Sydney do best. Think David Bowie tributes, birthday parties and local acts just hitting their stride.
Best of all, a fair whack of them are budget friendly. Read on for your guide to Vivid's best music events that'll cost you less than a pineapple.
PURPLE SNEAKERS' 13TH BIRTHDAY AT THE LANSDOWNE
The Lansdowne plays host to Purple Sneakers' 13th birthday festivities, as the cult music blog partners with FBi Radio and UNDR Ctrl to return to their roots of throwing banging parties. The night will feature Purple Sneakers DJs as well as a mix of local acts across two stages. Expect to hear Mickey Kojak, Fishing, Kota Banks, Rebel Yell and Close Counters, among many more. Nab your ticket for $31, and open your ears to some of the best acts Australia has to offer. Purple Sneakers' motto is #TrustedForTaste — count on that as well as having a generally beaut night.
Saturday, June 15 — $31
LABYRINTH AT THE SODA FACTORY
We all miss David Bowie – may the Starman rest in peace – and this event taking place at Surry Hills' Soda Factory is a way of keeping his star burning. Commencing with a screening of the 1986 film Labyrinth starring Bowie as the goblin king, the night will unfurl into a multifaceted tribute to Bowie, with musicians tackling his classic hits. Since we can't see him perform live, this is a pretty good second best — especially for the reasonable price tag of free. Wear your best Bowie-themed attired and let's dance.
Monday, June 3 — free
KIM CHURCHILL AT OXFORD ART FACTORY
Kim Churchill lives on the road — a road that, happy day, crosses through our town during Vivid, bringing Churchill to the Oxford Art Factory on June 7. He's been letting the processes of travelling and writing seep into each other, and emerged with the Berlin EP — an ode to place that concentrates on the interaction between nature and the man-made. He'll have you yearning to take off to the European summer (once Vivid is over, of course). Tickets are $34.
Friday, June 7 — $34
GOLDHEIST AT THE VANGUARD
Goldheist is one part Kate Bush, one part Imogen Heap, and all parts delightful. She'll take to the stage at The Vanguard in Newtown on May 30 with her new single, 'Wayfarer'. Inspired by her adventures on the road and sending out dream-pop vibes, Goldheist captures musical portraits of Australia and its people. The granddaughter of late ex-PM Malcolm Fraser, Goldheist (real name Hester Fraser) previously completed a project in tribute to her grandfather, The Camellia Tree, and uses her voice to call for changes to Australia's policies towards asylum seekers. Tickets are only $11, so you'll have enough change from a $20 note to grab a wine, too.
Sunday, May 30 — $11
TOO RAD AT POTTS POINT HOTEL
The Australian music scene is full of artists with something important to say. Come and see some of the game-changers perform at Too Rad at the Potts Point Hotel. The lineup takes in young and gutsy Fijian-Australian artist Jesswar, huge stage presence Miss Blanks from Queensland, and Gumbaynggirr man Tasman Keith. A snapshot of the new directions in Aus hip hop, the night is rich in female and Indigenous voices. First-release tickets are $18 and second-release $23.
Friday, June 14 — $23
To get to these and other gigs, book your tickets here.