Sydney’s small live music venues and emerging musicians are set to benefit from the City of Sydney’s partnership with Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas.
As part of Vivid Music, the X|Celerate program will give local acts billing alongside globally established performers and the opportunity to perform to new audiences at some of Sydney’s most loved live music venues.
Music hotspots like The Lansdowne, The World Bar, Oxford Art Factory, Leadbelly, Freda’s and the Golden Age Cinema & Bar will showcase grassroots and up-and-coming local talent throughout Vivid Sydney from 25 May 2018. Curated by each of the venues, X|Celerate gives Sydneysiders and visitors the opportunity to discover and enjoy different music genres from funk and electronica to rock and indie – and most events are free or low-cost.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney’s intimate music venues are essential to the live music community and the City is working hard to help them thrive. “We support live music and performance in Sydney in a number of ways, including funding live music and industry development programs and services, establishing our new Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel, and through our late night grants program,” said the Lord Mayor.
“This partnership with Vivid Sydney helps support local venues and gives Sydney-based artists the opportunity to perform for a broader audience during one of the busiest times of the year. This is the tenth year Vivid Sydney’s highlighted our city’s extraordinary talent, so it’s wonderful to see so many of our local venues, including 107 Projects and the Cake Wines Cellar Door, taking part.”
Since July 2014, the City of Sydney has invested $3.2 million in small grants towards live music and performing arts projects. The City’s Live Music and Performance Action Plan encourages more live music and entertainment, reduces unnecessary red tape and advocates for regulatory reform to support a successful performing arts industry in Sydney.
The broader Vivid Music program features national and international artists performing at a range of venues, including the Sydney Opera House, Carriageworks, Seymour Centre and City Recital Hall with headline performances from Solange, Ice Cube, St Vincent, Daniel Johns and Luke Steele.
Vivid Sydney runs 25 May to 16 June 2018. For more information, visit: www.vividsydney.com For more information on the Vivid Sydney X|Celerate program, visit: whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au for details.
Image: Cake Wines Cellars presents Pie In The Sky at Vivid Sydney 2017 – photo courtesy of Destination NSW