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This year’s Vivid Sydney Music program is packed with more than 150 gigs, revealing the breadth and depth of local talent alongside exciting international headliners. We spoke to Vivid Sydney’s Music Curator Joe Muller to find out what he’s most excited about across the program, as well as where he’ll be heading on the Light Walk.
“There’s a huge sense of optimism amongst the artists performing at Vivid Sydney this year, and amongst the music community as a whole. There’s a feeling that Vivid Sydney’s return is a real flag in the sand for the return of music, arts and culture in Sydney. Our program includes a spread of international acts and domestic talent and elevates our most potent local Sydney artists, talking to the festival’s creative direction – Vivid Sydney: The Soul of the City. A mix of more than 25 venues right across the city will host music events, happening in our cultural institutions and iconic spaces as well as non-traditional venues – activating stages that have never existed before. It’s a bold step forward for the music program.” – Joe Muller
Here are Joe Muller’s not-to-miss Vivid Music performances for 2022:
Spiritualized: 7pm, 16 June at Big Top Luna Park 
This legendary UK space rock band will make their welcome return to Vivid Sydney (they performed at the festival in 2011) for an Australian mainland exclusive performance. Frontman Jason Pierce will bring his 9-piece band featuring horns, strings and beautiful gospel style vocal arrangements to deliver a retrospective set spanning their entire career, celebrating the release of their ninth studio album, Everything is Beautiful – an epic offering of swirling and hypnotic, psych pop.
Baxter Dury: 7pm, 4 June at Metro Theatre 
Another UK artist, Baxter Dury is the son of legendary post-punk icon Ian Dury of the Blockheads. In Baxter’s 20-year career he has never toured Australia, and so this will be a really special Sydney debut— with the cult fave delivering late night disco, marrying his trademark indie croon and seedy synth pop with a full live band and backing singers.
Cakes Da Killa: 7pm, 17 June at Oxford Art Factory 
This NY based artist sits at the arrow point of a global movement of queer hip hop artists turning heads and defying stereotypes. Expect high energy dance energy, lightning-fast raps and a whole lot of fun.
The Gospel According to Marcia: 8pm, 9-10 June at St Stephen’s Uniting Church 
A Vivid Sydney exclusive, this is the debut of Marcia Hines’s show based on her new gospel album. Originally from the US, the much-loved singer has embraced her roots, reflecting on the years she grew up singing in churches. The candlelit concert will be held in a church and feature a live band gospel choir with bespoke lighting treatment. This will be an incredibly special couple of shows.
Vivid Sydney Supper Club: 10pm-1am, Friday and Saturdays at Mary’s Underground
A first for Vivid Sydney, the Vivid Supper Club is a late-night variety show held every Friday and Saturday night of the festival at Mary’s Underground. Curated by Sydney uber-Diva Trevor Ashley, a beloved cabaret performer, the line-up includes performers such as Mahalia Barnes, Tim Freedman, Bob Downes and more with our very own Vivid Sydney Supper Club house band plus pop up guests and surprise performances spanning the worlds of cabaret, comedy, burlesque and live music.
Tumbalong Nights: Various times, Wednesdays-Saturdays at Tumbalong Park 
A public program of free shows will be held from Wednesday to Saturday nights for the duration of the festival, right in the heart of the Light Walk, featuring a line-up of diverse Australian talent. This is a massive program, with highlights including Mo’ju, , Mildlife, Milan Ring, Maina Doe, Donny Benet and the premiere of a new collaboration from Gordon Koang and Sampology. On Saturdays from 5-6pm, there will also be a program tailored just for kids featuring Playschool’s Justine Clarke and more.
Joe’s Light Walk must do: 
Earth Deities by Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran  
Earth Deities is an eight-metre-tall, multi-limbed avatar that will come alive at night through the synthesis of dramatic lighting at Hickson Road Reserve. Ramesh brings a punk energy and playfulness to his sculptural works that really resonates and sits beautifully alongside the direction of the music program.
The Vivid Music program will host gigs across Sydney and also include programming as part of the Sydney Opera House’s Vivid LIVE program and Carriageworks.
Vivid Sydney will run for 23 nights from Friday 27 May to Saturday 18 June 2022. For more information go to www.vividsydney.com and get social using @vividsydney #vividsydney.