Badu Gili Live — CANCELLED

Overview

UPDATE: APRIL 1, 2020 — Due to government restrictions in relation to COVID-19, the Sydney Opera House is closed until further notice and all future performances of Badu Gili Live have been cancelled.

In 2018, the famed Sydney Opera House sails underwent a refresh, with Badu Gili's nightly sound and light show introducing its next series of artworks — from six new artists.

Badu Gili, which translates to 'water light' in the language of the site's traditional owners, the Gadigal people, is a celebration of Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander artists. It was first launched in June 2017, projecting a vibrant seven-minute animation onto the iconic sails each night when the sun goes down, then again at 9pm, 9.30pm and 10pm. Basically, it's like what the Opera House does for Vivid, but very single night.

It has been experienced in real life by hundreds of thousands of people, and online by even more. Now, on the first Friday night of each month between December 2019–April 2020, it'll be accompanied by Badu Gili Live —  a free outdoor music series that'll take place as the sun sets (between 8–9pm, to be specific) and will feature First Nations performers.

On Friday, December 6, Ursula Yovich will play the Opera House's Monumental Steps. On Friday, January 3 and Friday, February 7, electro-soul duo Bow and Arrow will help bring the striking display to life.

There'll also be a pop-up bar serving cocktails, such as 'Light on the Sail' — which is made with Archie Rose x Sydney Opera House Inside Gin, native River Mint, ginger, lime and cloudy apple — plus bites to eat like hummus with macadamia dukkha.

In general, you can catch Badu Gili's striking display every night at sunset, and again at 7pm (9pm during daylight saving time). Like the free concerts, it's best enjoyed from the top of the Monumental Steps as well.

Images: Ken Leanfore.