ARIA award-winning artist Dan Sultan is slated to make a return to the Opera House on March 8 with a free concert at the Forecourt, alongside special guest and 2022 QMA Indigenous Artist of the Year Jem Cassar-Daley. Geared with a full live band, the performance marks the exclusive Sydney stop on Sultan’s national tour which celebrates the artist’s 20 year career.

The announcement comes as part of an ferocious line-up of performances on the Forecourt stage this March, featuring sold-out shows for Fontaines D.C. with special guests shame on March 6, PJ Harvey with special guest Mick Turner on March 13 and New Order on March 14 and 15.

The proud Arrernte/Gurindji artist first broke out with his 2009 Record Get Out While You Can, and has been at the forefront since with a rising tide of spellbinding cultural storytellers. With wins at the ARIA, NIMA and AIR awards for his self-titled record in 2023, Sultan’s music journey continues on an uphill peak, as he spent 2024 making a notable performance on the world stage at the Paris Paralympic Games, and embarked on a national tour.

Everything comes full circle for Sultan, who reminisced in light of the announcement on Instagram that the last time he played the Opera House was 15 years ago.

“The last time I performed there was 15 YEARS AGO with INXS after winning my first Aria Awards,” he said. “That was an incredible night and I’m so excited to be back!”

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On having Sultan play the Forecourt this March, Head of First Nations Programming at the Sydney Opera House Michael Hutchings said: “Dan Sultan is an absolute legend of Australian music, paving the way for a generation of artists. This gig continues the legacy of Tubowgule, also known as Bennelong Point, where the Opera House now stands,”

“People have gathered in this place for tens of thousands of years to share stories, and Dan is a modern storyteller of epic proportions. It’s a true delight to have him performing on the Forecourt in a free event where people from all walks of life can witness the magic of one of Australia’s finest live acts.”

Proud Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung woman and rising indie-pop artist Jem Cassar-Daley will be joining Sultan, marking her return to the iconic Opera House following her performance as part of the inaugural Generations & Dynasties series alongside her father and country music star Troy Cassar-Daley.

The performance will take place on Saturday, March 8th, with gates to open at 6PM, at the Forecourt, Sydney Opera House. Tickets are free and you can register for entry here.