A powerful slate of international and genre-defining artists is set to arrive in Australia this winter as part of Vivid Sydney, Vivid LIVE and RISING, bringing together some of the most vital voices in contemporary music, culture, and live performance.
Across hip-hop, electronic, jazz, soul, spoken word, and experimental sound, the program spans generations and geographies. From the introspective weight and lyrical precision of Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE, to the cinematic jazz compositions of Alfa Mist, the programs foreground artists pushing emotional and musical depth. Electronic innovators TOKiMONSTA and Daniel Avery bring immersive, high-impact live spectacles, while UK club institution Oneman delivers a rare deep-dive into sound system culture.
The lineup also embraces collaboration and legacy. Saul Williams joins forces with Carlos Niño for a live sound ceremony rooted in improvisation and spirit, while Seun Kuti leads Egypt 80, carrying the revolutionary Afrobeat lineage into the present. A special presentation sees Brian Jackson and Yasiin Bey honour the work of Gil Scott-Heron, reanimating one of the most influential bodies of work in modern music and political thought.
Rising voices and cultural disruptors sit alongside icons, with performances from Saint Levant, RUBII, and Lil' Kim, alongside the collective Moonflower Suite featuring Maina Doe, NMMWL, KHYA, & Hey, Love. Together, they all form a bold, cross-disciplinary program that reflects the energy, complexity, and urgency of global music culture today.
