Free Forecourt Concerts Weekend

Overview

The Sydney Opera House Forecourt has played host to some of Sydney's most memorable music and cultural moments over the last decade — from Dance Rites' annual transformation of the forecourt, to performances from local icons like Paul Kelly and international superstars Florence and the Machine and The National. In more recent times, it has been transformed into a COVID-safe dance floor and an outdoor gym. Now, in what's set to be the forecourt's return as the city's most idyllic concert space, the Sydney Opera House is throwing a series of four free concerts across one weekend.

Kicking things off on Friday, April 9 is ARIA-nominated indie-pop singer-songwriter Jack River. River will be performing a one-off show titled Visions of Us. The show will combine selections from her debut album Sugar Mountain with poetry and the voices of climate activists, First Nations leaders and emerging artists.

On the Saturday, April 10, two shows will be performed under the name Barrabuwari, which means 'tomorrow' in the Gadigal language. Barrabuwari is an Indigenous-led showcase of a collection of the country's most impactful and trailblazing voices in music.

In the afternoon, from 2.30–7pm, the Barrabuwari Sunset Gathering will see the likes of Becca Hatch, DJ Plead, JK-47, Kobie Dee, Milan Ring and Spvrrow take to the forecourt. They will be joined by a showcase of artist from the record label Trackwork, a Calling Country Ceremony, and hosts Travis De Vries of Broriginals and Sara Khan and Darren Lesaguis of FBi Radio.

Following the showcase, from 7.45–10.45pm, will be a performance from one of Australian hip-hop's most important voices, Ziggy Ramo. He'll perform his monumental 2020 album Black Thoughts. Boundary-pushing producer DJ Plead will also return post-sunset to supply the beats for the night.

Rounding out the weekend on Sunday, April 11 will be Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing Heartstrings, a program of classical masterpieces from the likes of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Grieg.

The free concerts are funded by the NSW Government as part of the Summer in the City campaign, which also includes Sunset Piazza, the Dine & Discover vouchers and a heap of late night cultural events.

Tickets are free but registration is essential. Registration opens at 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, March 17 at the Sydney Opera House website.

Hamilton Lund

Top image: Ken Leanfore