Carriageworks, one of Australia’s largest multi-arts precincts, today announced a culturally diverse, contemporary music program and a collaboration with margarita maestros Cantina OK!, that will enliven the precinct as part of Vivid Sydney 2021, from 19 until 28 August.
This is the seventh year of Carriageworks’ highly successful involvement with Vivid Sydney, the annual creative festival that transforms Sydney’s CBD into a playground of creativity, innovation and technology. 2021 offers music audiences a wholistic, layered program with a return to dedicated performance venues, Bay 17 and 20, and a focus on design and lighting led by House of Vnholy and Sam Whiteside.
Spanning two distinct themes of Australian hip hop artists and rock / punk bands across multiple performance spaces, the line-up for Vivid Sydney at Carriageworks includes:
- KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD | SYDNEY EXCLUSIVE 5 SHOW RESIDENCY 22-26 AUG, 7.30PM
Acclaimed Melbourne band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard headlines Carriageworks Vivid Sydney program with five curated performances over five consecutive nights. Playing 75 songs back-to-back with no repeats from across their entire back catalogue. Each performance showcases a distinct mood, spanning a stripped back Acoustic set, fluid Jams, non-stop Microtonal cuts, Garage Rock and Heavy Metal thrash. Considered by many to be one of Australia’s most innovative and productive rock bands, King Gizzard continue to release classic albums at a frenetic pace. - AMYL & THE SNIFFERS | SYDNEY EXCLUSIVE FRI 20 AUG, 8PM
Aria Award winning punk rock band Amyl & the Sniffers return to Sydney with an energetic live show for the first time since the Covid lockdown. - TROPICAL FUCK STORM | SYDNEY EXCLUSIVE SAT 21 AUG, 8PM
Post punk band Tropical Fuck Storm launch their new album and national tour at Carriageworks, crafted during the depths of Melbourne’s Covid lockdown, experience their uniquely Australian version of exhilarating squalling rock and experimental sound. - JESSWAR | SYDNEY EXCLUSIVE FRI 20 AUG, 6PM and 9PM
Hip hop artist Jesswar, who has collaborated with the likes of DZ Deathrays, Tasha the Amazon & Briggs, and performed at leading festivals including Laneway, Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo performs a brand-new show at Carriageworks featuring special guest performers. - BARKAA | SAT 21 AUG 7PM
Malyangapa, Barkindji rapper Barkaa (Chloe Quayle), billed as one of the most exciting and powerful new rappers in Australian music (Triple J), whose songs ‘Our Lives Matter’ and ‘I Can’t Breathe’ became prominent during the Blak Lives Matter protests in Australia in 2020. - AKOSIA | SYDNEY EXCLUSIVE SUN 22 AUG, 7PM
Rising neo soul voice of Ghanian descent, Akosia’s debut self-titled EP received critical acclaim. Experience one of ‘Australia’s new voice in contemporary soul-pop’, delivered with her powerful visual style and polished aesthetic in this Sydney exclusive. - OPEN FRAME | THU 26 + FRI 27 AUG, 7PM
Returning to Carriageworks in its sixth edition, Open Frame is an immersive experimental program of transgressive sound and light. Curated by Lawrence English, founder of cult label Room40, and one of Australia’s pre-eminent sound artists, the program explores the boundaries between sound, noise and experimental music over the final two nights of the program. The first night features: Annea Lockwood (Diffusion) Alexandra Spence, Elia Bosshard presents Communion, Kusum Normoyle and more. And the second will see performances from Robin Fox presents Triptych, Tralala Blip, Ruth Anderson (diffusion piece), Lisa Lerkenfeldt presents Shell Of A City and more.
CANTINA OK! | 19- 28 AUG, 5PM – 1130PM
Voted one of the world’s best bars, Cantina OK! join Carriageworks for a festival pop-up as part of Vivid Sydney, in partnership with Official Partner Altos Tequila. A mix between a nightclub and art show, Cantina OK! will deliver signature cocktails, delicious food and a rotating list of DJs. The menu is a thoughtfully curated list of products from Sydney or local surrounds including Altos Tequila, Atomic Beer Project, Grifter Brewing Company, food by Luke Powell from LP’s and Bella Brutta and more! Cantina OK! will operate for two weeks from Thursday 19 until Saturday 28 August 2021 and will be free to attend.
Carriageworks CEO Blair French said: ‘We are excited to continue our longstanding partnership with Vivid Sydney and to welcome back live contemporary music to Carriageworks with this strong program of culturally diverse home-grown talent. This intimately staged line-up offers audiences unique music experiences.’
NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: ‘Vivid Sydney is a fantastic event that attracts global attention, but thrives on the local community of creatives that brings the program together, such as the ongoing partnership with Carriageworks. It’s wonderful to see this popular venue present a dynamic music program as part of Vivid Sydney in 2021 which will appeal to a diverse audience.’
Carriageworks Vivid Sydney 2021 Program is curated by Thomas Supple and presented in partnership with Official Partner Altos Tequila. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government through Destination NSW.
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