Nine Things You Absolutely Can't Miss This Vivid Festival

Vivid Festival is a staple of Sydney’s cultural calendar, flooding the streets and venues from 27 May – 18 June with incredible, immersive light shows and installations, world-renowned musical performances and celebrations of innovation and creativity.

Here are the top events we recommend you catch across Vivid 2016’s expansive program of lights, music and ideas.

vivid Light

A popular staple of the Vivid explosion across the city, this year’s lights program can be found across the CBD from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, the Opera House, USYD, Carriageworks and more. Setting aside the usual projections on the Customs House, MCA, skyscrapers around the Quay and more, take a walk through a fairyland, a psychedelic trip, and an immersive meld of technology and art, stopping along the way for a glass of wine and some nibbles at one of Sydney’s numerous boutique bars.

Sound Bubble

A combination of a concert platform, entertainment unit, art installation, interactive toy and computer game, the Sound Bubble at Circular Quay — created by Damian Barbeler and John Taylor — is a massive transparent cube filled with white balls. Seemingly intelligent, these ‘bubbles’ will react with extravagant displays of sound and light every time a viewer comes near. It actually amuses itself when no one is around with its own little show. Aww. Head here for more info.

songlines

An undeniable favourite, the sails of the Sydney Opera House become a canvas for light artists, shining brightly as the colourful heart of Circular Quay’s Vivid display. This year we celebrate Australia’s ancient Songlines through Dreamtime animations created by six renowned Indigenous artists: Karla Dickens, Djon Mundine OAM, Reko Rennie, Gabriella Possum, Donny Woolagoodja and the late Gulumbu Yunipingu. The music and art reflect the rich history of Bennelong Point — known to the Gadigal people as Tubowgule — as a gathering place for communities, ceremonies, songs, storytelling and celebration. Head here for more info.

Laser-Dragon Water-Theatre

One of the largest and most elaborate installations for Vivid 2016 is the multimedia water show created by Oracle-Liquid. We reckon this is one you can’t miss even if you tried - running every half hour from 6pm to 11pm in Sydney Harbour. Lasers and fountains reaching between 15m and a staggering 25m high, with projected water-screens — a world first — mounted on a 13m robotic arm. The screen, floating above 56 fountains, assumes many forms to the delight of all watching from the foreshore, from a terrifying dragon to the characters of commedia dell’arte. Head here for more info.

vivid Music/vivid LIVE

The heart of Vivid Music and Vivid LIVE is its commitment to inviting the public to explore fresh, contemporary perspectives on music through performances of both local and international artists at venues large and small. It’s an opportunity to see your favourite acts in inventive new ways — hel-lo Bon Iver, New Order and more — and discover new sonic gems on the forefront of Australia’s music scene.

Bjork Digital Exhibition

A combined program between Carriageworks and Vivid Sydney, the Bjork Digital Exhibition will be divided into five unique spaces that allow visitors to immerse themselves in Bjork Digital — the world premiere of the virtual reality project created by the musician herself in collaboration with some of the world’s best programmers and filmmakers. It’s kind of like an intimate progression of the music video. The event will include numerous DJs and special guests, including a set from Bjork herself. Whoo! Head here for more info.

Sound Gardens

The Conservatorium Of Music is a breeding ground of new and innovative music, with the iconic music ‘castle’ hosting a number of talented composers and contemporary musicians, accompanied by a collection of installations. Catch special guests Thymolphthalein and video artist Sean Bacon and see what the new kids on the block are making! Head here for more info.

Tiny Ruins

Hollie Fullbrook is bringing her mesmerising New Zealand folk across the ditch to adoring Tiny Ruins fans cascading into the Sydney Opera House. A band on high rotation at triple j, Fullbrook will give audiences a beautiful preview of her third album and break some hearts along the way with her timeless experimentation with soul, blues and folk. There’s no better opportunity to don the flower headband and sway blissfully to music in one of the best acoustic surrounds in the world — and tickets start from only $30. Head here for more info.

Ideas

Vivid isn’t just about pretty light shows and music that moves the soul — it’s also a space for creative ideas and innovations to flourish under the guidance of business and creative leaders, speaking at various events on subjects ranging from architecture to start-up businesses. Get some knowledge under your bonnet while being entertained by the best in the business. Along with the Gamechangers series featuring talks from the likes of acclaimed director Spike Jonze, Orange Is The New Black and Weeds' Jenji Kohan, fashion entrepreneur Margaret Zhang and more, here are some other great ideas to check out.

Collaborate or Die: Insights from Successful Creative Collaborators

In 2016, the era of collaboration has truly taken entrepreneurs and big businesses alike by storm. Panellists including Paperform's Benja Harney, Lisa Gorman of ethical designer label Gorman and Broadsheet's Caroline Clements, along with presenter Kate Hurst of Common Knowledge, will discuss the benefits and detriments of collaborative works for individual creative, while delving into the conundrum — how much is a collaboration truly worth? Head here for more info.

The Ethics of Representation in Media, Arts & Advertising

Always a controversial topic, Australia’s media is constantly questioned on their practice of ethics and their obligations to fairly represent society. Keynote speakers Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE, Peter McEvoy and Marina Go will explore the ethics of representation in their profession with an intimate audience at The Ethics Centre’s heritage-listed Castlereagh Street site. Head here for more info.

A Night Of Disruptive Ideas

Enjoy drinks and a two-course dinner while listening to three thought-provoking discussions between the brilliant minds of neurosurgeon Professor Charlie Teo, Google's Creative Director Tara McKenty, Fenella Kernebone, Dr Angus Hervey & Tane Hunter, Dr Ben Ferris, Dr Tim Rayner, Ninotschka Titchkosky, Dr Alex Klat-Smith and Men At Work's drummer Jerry Speiser. These thinkers, creators, teachers and leaders will be discussing both the creative mind and the future of creativity in the stunning National Art School's Cell Block Theatre. The experience is immersive, complete with light installations and music to bring you the utmost of the Vivid experience. Head here for more info.