5 Must-See Gigs In Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney 2016 music lineup is jam-packed with some of the most talented local and international artists. The 23-day lineup can be daunting, so we did the work for you: here are five gigs you simply cannot miss.

Kučka

Poptronica prodigy Kučka once described her sound as “a crystal slowly sinking to the bottom of the ocean.” This visceral description captures the essence of her sound: shimmering vocals slowly floating through the celestial synth loops. Kučka’s already impressive list of collaborators—A$AP Rocky, Flume, to name a few—expands to a new medium. Digital artist Rachael Arcibald will join Kučka for this immersive showcase of textural soundscapes. Exploring virtual reality and escapism through surround-sound and live digital visuals, #Portals will craft an artistic experience that truly satisfies all your senses.

#Portals – Kučka & Rachael Archibald
Thursday 2nd June
The Basement, 7 Macquarie PlaceGet
Ticket Information Here

Gold Class & Mere Women

Undoubtedly the most promising rookie bands in the Vivid Sydney 2016 music lineup, Gold Class and Mere Women join forces to launch their split 7”. Melbourne’s post-punk quartet Gold Class leaped onto the global radar with their debut LP less than a year ago. Despite its short resume, Gold Class skillfully blends ‘80s British post punk influences with idiosyncrasies unique to its local scene, churning out a distinctive voice that is equal parts eerie and cathartic. Mere Women built themselves up from Sydney’s DIY circuit. The scuzzy, reverb-saturated punk riffs cloak the poppy tunes and bright vocals—like sunbeams dispersing through a grimy, foggy windowpane. If you’re looking for the Australian DIY scene at its best, this is it.

Gold Class & Mere Women: Split 7” Launch
Friday 27th May
Newtown Social Club, 387 King Street
Ticket Information Here

Oneohtrix Point Never

The mastermind behind Oneohtrix Point Never, Daniel Lopatin hails from Broolyn’s noise music scene. His seventh album “Garden of Delete” diverges from his signature enigmatic drones. In this cutting-edge release, Lopatin welds noise rock influences into the clunking industrial bass and punctures them with fragmented synths. Distorted voices and melodies trickle through the static like metallic goo oozing out of crackling glass. This dense, mind-bending trip walks the fine line between melancholy and ecstasy. Follow Oneohtrix Point Never down the rabbit hole for an electronic exploration like no other.

Oneohtrix Point Never
Sunday 29th May
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Ticket Information Here

Ta-Ku

Future Classics’ Ta-Ku, like many of his labelmates, occupies the sweet spot between chilled-out percussive traps and tactful acoustic tunes. Ta-Ku spreads his creative energy across various outlets—from multimedia development to video direction. His discography echoes such diverse yet cohesive creative pursuits, resembling a surrealist sculpture chiseled into a slab of eclectic musical influences. This Sydney Opera House showcase will be his live solo debut in Australia and feature the newest labelmate Wafia, a 22-year-old vocalist and songwriter.

Future Classic Presents: Ta-Ku feat. Wafia
Friday 3rd June
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Ticket Information Here

Esperanza Spalding

Jazz bassist and singer-songwriter Esperanza Spalding enchanted the music world with her exuberant take on contemporary jazz at just 21 years old. Spalding retreated back to her hometown at the height of her Grammy-clad career. This year, she reemerges from a two-year hiatus with a drastic shift in style and an unstoppable message of personal freedom. Her newest release “Emily’s D+Evolution” fuses poppy melodies, progressive funk-rock, and jazz, unleashing her alter ego, Emily, who defies the rigidly drawn lines between genres, artistry, and societal expectations. Don’t miss her Australian debut.

Esperanza Spalding: Emily’s D+ Evolution
Saturday 4th June
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Ticket Information Here

Check out this website for more information on the Vivid Sydney 2016 music lineup.

By Serina Lee