This year First Nations artists and creators are lighting up Gadigal as part of Vivid Sydney with events happening across the city over three weeks.
From concerts at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE with groundbreaking new artists like Miss Kaninna, to immersive dining experiences infused with native ingredients by Mark Olive and free events, there’s something for everyone.
One band performing at the festival is the first all-women’s rock band from Arnhem Land, Ripple Effect.
They will support Body Type as part of Tumbalong Nights, a free concert series, and sing in the Ndjébbana, Burarra, Na-kara and Kune languages.
Ripple Effect said they aim to be role models and inspire other First Nations people, particularly women and youth.
Bass player and songwriter Tara Rostron told NITV they want to inspire people to be proud of “who they are and where they come from”.
“To give people ideas," said Rostron.
"Something like a new voice, a good message, to be confident and push themselves forward and think straight instead of just going around in cycles.
“Music is a way of reaching across difference and bringing people [together]. For First Nations people it is a way of showing how powerful our culture is and how valuable different languages are.”
Head of First Nations Programming at the Sydney Opera House, Michael Hutchings said in curating the program for Vivid LIVE they wanted to showcase the broad range of First Nations artists across music, both established and up and coming.
“It’s really across genres, we’ve got folk, hip hop, rock, R'n'B and everything in between,” said Hutchings, who is of Arrernte heritage.
“[We] really want to focus on getting those artists and reaching that zeitgeist.”
Vivid LIVE will showcase four acts including ARIA award-winner Emily Wurramara, the ARIA nominated Miss Kaninna, hip hop collective 3% and psychedelic music project, Velvet Trip.
Hutchings said the lineup for this year shows the variety of artists on the scene.
“They all come from different Countries as well, and that experience from urban, right through to remote and regional,” said Hutchings.
At Carriageworks, creative collective Awesome Black will take over with a First Nations-led pirate radio station.
‘Echoes of the Block' will see artists DOBBY, Mr Rhodes, Izzy, ChillCheney, Minty, Prodikal-1, The Chaza, Yung Brother, Emerald Brunt collaborate and experiment live over four days and three nights.
Awesome Black founder and curator of Echoes of the Block, Travis De Vries, said Vivid's scale is exciting, but that First Nations performers' presence on those stages should be a given.
“It's both not important at all and incredibly vital - First Nations talent and stories should just automatically be at the core of everything we do in this country, on this continent,” the Gamilaroi and Dharug man said.
“Echoes of the Block is going to speak to the past but looking towards showcasing some artists who are just pure talent regardless of their background - art, background and identity is such a weirdly layered topic to discuss.”
Awesome Black founder Travis De Vries. Source: Supplied / Teresa Tan
“I want each of these artists we're working with to build lifelong fans and connections across the industry and community from this project.
“I love the work we get to do and I'm sure audiences will as well.”
Vivid Sydney’s First Nations advisor, Rhoda Roberts AO said Vivid was not just a festival, but an opportunity for artists to share their voices and visions.
“Welcoming audiences from all walks of life—young and old, local and international—Vivid provides a unique and immersive First Nations experience,” said Roberts.
“A dynamic space where ancient cultural knowledge meets bold contemporary expression.
“It’s an invitation for us all to engage deeply with the depth, resilience, and celebrate through joy, laughter and reflection the beauty of the world’s oldest living culture.”
Some more mob events you can catch across Sydney include:
- First Light: Live is a free concert celebrating the power and pride of First Nations music. Featuring RONA, Kaiit, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Jeremy Whiskey and Akala Newman
- My Sis: Celebrating 10 years of Bad Apples Music is an all-female First Nations line-up including Western Sydney’s Barkaa and Aotearoa New Zealand neo-soul queen Ladi6, curated by Yorta Yorta rapper, author and actor Adam Briggs’s ground-breaking record label.
- Saltbush & Starlight Dining is a three-course menu infused by Australian bush flavours by renowned chef Mark Olive
- Dreaming Skies: A Culinary Journey with Dwayne Bannon-Harrison is an immersive experience featuring native ingredients-inspired dishes, storytelling and performances by leading Aboriginal performing arts group Muggera Dance Company.
- Native Food Experience Dwayne Bannon-Harrison teams up with executive chef Vanessa Harcourt.
- Aunty Beryl | Our Shared Dream: A world with no waste is a four-course vegetarian dinner infusing rescued produce with native flavours at Refettorio OzHarvest.
- Vincent Namatjira’s striking King Dingo lights up the facade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
- Symphony of the Dreaming created by Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page at Museum of Sydney.
- Tunku and Ngaadi at Australian National Maritime Museum illustrated by Walbunja and Ngarigo artist Cheryl Davison and voiced by the Djinama Yilaga Choir.
- An Act of Being marks the 25th anniversary of the People’s Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Firetalk is a series of free fireside storytelling sessions with First Nations writers, poets and songwriters hosted by Wiradjuri poet and artist, Jazz Money.
