The Sydney Festival has returned for its 49th edition – offering a program that places music at the heart of this world-class cultural celebration. Running from 4-26 January, the festival transforms Sydney into a hub of live performances, uniting local and international artists together across genres and venues around the city.
Sydney’s venues host a lineup of musicians and ensembles this year:
– At the Sydney Opera House, renowned singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright will put on a sold-out performance.
– City Recital Hall welcomes Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, performing alongside rising rapper BARKAA, who brings her powerful hip-hop energy to the stage.
The festival also celebrates diverse sounds with JFDR, one of Iceland’s standout multi-instrumentalists, and Ganna Gryniva, a Ukrainian-born artist whose jazz compositions are as rich as her cultural heritage. From Bristol, Pete Cunningham’s Ishmael Ensemble delivers a mix of dub and electronic music, and East London’s Hak Baker debuts his “G-folk” style, blending folk narratives with urban flair.
First Nations music is a highlight of the festival, with Radical Son performing tracks from his new album Bilambiyal – a soulful exploration of identity and resilience. Celebrated rapper-drummer DOBBY also debuts his album WARRANGU: River Story, blending hip-hop with storytelling to address the environmental challenges of the Murray-Darling Basin.
The festival’s Blak Out program, curated by Creative Artist in Residence Jacob Nash, amplifies First Nations voices through a series of performances and cultural events, including a powerful soundscape by composer Brendon Boney at Vigil: Gunyah.
The Thirsty Mile’s Moonshine Bar becomes a harborside hotspot with free nightly performances. The lineup spans First Nations artists, queer pop acts, and Oceanic sounds, delivering everything from soul and funk to Afro-beats. These events capture the energy and diversity of Sydney’s music scene, offering a unique experience for festivalgoers.
The Future Frequencies series introduces audiences to emerging global talent. Punjabi-Australian artist Parvyn blends traditional and contemporary sounds, while Canadian-Filipina keyboardist Mary Ancheta pushes genre boundaries with her jazz and electro-funk fusion. Local favorites like Setwun & The Soulstranauts and Allysha Joy reinterpret the works of legends Roy Ayers and Roberta Flack in a fresh and compelling format.
Celebrating milestones and musical legacies, the festival features Katie Noonan’s tribute to Jeff Buckley’s iconic album Grace, marking its 30th anniversary. Emma Pask revisits her Latin jazz masterpiece Cosita Divina with a vibrant orchestra, and Christie Whelan-Browne delivers a deeply personal cabaret performance in Life in Plastic.
As the Sydney Festival continues, its music program promises unforgettable moments, whether through intimate concerts, large-scale productions, or free community events. By blending traditional and contemporary sounds with international and local talent, this year’s festival underscores Sydney’s position as a global music and cultural destination.
