Vivid Live 2025: New Venues, Big Celebrations & Industry Insights
As Vivid Sydney prepares for its 2025 edition, the festival’s music programming is taking a significant leap forward—not just in lineup diversity, but in scope and industry impact.
With the addition of City Recital Hall and Metro Theatre to its venue roster, Vivid Music is reinforcing its role as a key player in Sydney’s live music landscape, expanding both its cultural footprint and economic influence on the city’s night-time economy from May 23rd to June 14th.
The Metro Theatre is set to be a focal point of industry celebration, hosting two major milestones: the 10-year anniversaries of Bad Apples Music and NLV Records. Founded by Briggs, Bad Apples Music has been instrumental in championing First Nations artists in the Australian hip-hop scene, while Nina Las Vegas’ NLV Records has continually pushed the boundaries of club music, fostering some of the country’s most innovative electronic acts.
Elsewhere, the Tumbalong Nights series is broadening its global reach, reflecting the increasing crossover between diaspora communities and contemporary Australian music.
Winston Surfshirt will bring the funk and hip-hop, while Ayesha Madon, known for her breakout role in Heartbreak High, adds a fresh pop edge to the lineup. Internationally, Vietnamese pop stars Mỹ Anh & Chi Xê, Grammy-winning African artist Dobet Gnahoré, and Korean singer-songwriter Stella Jang are set to highlight the cross-cultural exchange at the heart of this year’s program.
City Recital Hall’s inclusion in the festival brings with it a pairing of old and new: Tangerine Dream, the German pioneers whose electronic innovations have shaped decades of music, will share the space with Soccer Mommy, whose raw, introspective indie rock represents the next generation of singer-songwriters carving their own path.
Meanwhile, Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House is delivering an unprecedented mix of talent, from Anohni and The Johnsons’ profound, cinematic soundscapes to Beth Gibbons’ haunting trip-hop legacy and Sigur Rós’ orchestral post-rock masterpiece with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Japanese Breakfast, Marlon Williams, and Ravyn Lenae round out an offering that merges cult favourites with globally renowned icons.
With over 75% of Vivid Sydney’s programming being free to access, the 2025 edition is set to be one of the festival’s most inclusive and expansive yet. As the city continues to navigate challenges in its night-time economy, the evolution of Vivid Music underscores the growing recognition of live performance as a cultural and economic force.
Full program details and tickets for Vivid Sydney 2025 are available now at vividsydney.com.