Forming a cornerstone of the Vivid Sydney cultural program, the return of Vivid LIVE in 2026 once again brings the Sydney Opera House's various spaces to life with loud, deep, and sublime music and visual treats. For the latest instalment, more than 50 cutting-edge Australian and international artists are on the lineup, spanning global icons, local trailblazers and emerging voices ready to take over one of the country's most significant stages. Running from Friday, May 22–Saturday, June 13, the program brings together exclusive performances, one-off collaborations and even a curated cinema program. Of course, the Concert Hall hosts many of Vivid LIVE's attention-grabbing events, including the already-announced, long-awaited return of Mitski. While this special show is currently sold out, this space also features The National frontman Matt Berninger in an intimate performance dedicated to his second solo album, Get Sunk. Legendary Glaswegian post-rockers Mogwai will ring in the band's 30th anniversary, delving deep into their 11-album discography. Then, there's a heartfelt tribute to legendary jazz poet and rap pioneer Gil Scott-Heron, led by his longtime collaborator and keyboardist Brian Jackson and featuring acclaimed rapper and singer Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def). Meanwhile, two of rap's most insightful minds, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE, serve up a joint performance that speaks to memory and kinship. Over at the John Sutherland Theatre, Danish minimalist pop innovator Erika de Casier combines her velvety-soft R&B sound with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for an exclusive commissioned debut. You'll also experience influential pop-rock band Sparks, LA-born musical visionary and Brainfeeder label head Flying Lotus, Grammy-winning London art-rockers Dry Cleaning (with support from post-punk supergroup Station Model Violence), and Welsh art-pop star Cate Le Bon in a special back-to-back performance with American folk-rock master Cass McCombs. The highlights keep coming, with Jeff Mills also appearing at Vivid LIVE for an Australian-exclusive performance. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mills' 1995 Tokyo Liquid Room set, this trailblazing three-hour performance is often considered one of the best DJ mixes ever released, redefining what it meant to take control of the dance floor. For more pulsating tunes, witness Rochelle Jordan's 90s-inspired take on R&B and UK garage, while Sydney tastemakers Astral People celebrate their 15th birthday with TOKiMONSTA and ONEMAN. Beyond its impressive music lineup, Vivid LIVE also features Playhouse Cinema from Thursday, May 28–Sunday, May 31, featuring 12 daily screenings of music films, such as The KLF: 23 Seconds to Eternity, a 20th anniversary screening of Daft Punk's Electroma, and 24 Hour Party People, starring Steve Coogan in an idiosyncratic look at Manchester's musical history and club scene. Lastly, inner-west dive bar The Midnight Special is reborn, serving up harbourside DJs, bites and drinks in the Opera House's Northern Foyer. Vivid LIVE 2026 takes place at Sydney Opera House from Friday, May 22–Saturday, June 13. Head to the website for more information. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.