Free Live Music at Vivid Sydney
Free Live Music at Vivid Sydney
23
May
14
Jun
Event

Free Live Music at Vivid Sydney


When
Fri 23 May - Sat 14 June
Fri - Sun 6pm - 10pm
Where

The Rocks Square, Playfair St
and Bay 5, 1 Hickson Road (next to Ken Done Gallery)

Get directions
Price

FREE

Map, showing Free Live Music at Vivid Sydney

Light up your night with four days of free live music, every week during Vivid Sydney.

The Rocks is the place to be for free live music this Vivid Sydney. From electrifying R&B to funky blasts from the past, The Rocks Square and 1 Hickson Road will come alive with the best tunes every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from 6pm to 10pm.

Plus, don't miss free Jazz Sessions in The Rocks Square every Thursday night, 6pm - 8.30pm followed by Hickson House's Late Set, 8.30pm - 10.30pm. 

See what else is happening during Vivid Sydney at The Rocks.

The Schedule

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night | 6pm - 10pm 

Musicians

Major Zulu
Zambian-born soul singer-songwriter Major Zulu, now based in Sydney, Australia, honed her powerful vocals in a Zambian gospel church and gained UK recognition. Her collaboration with Basement Jaxx on "Everybody" marked a career turning point. Immersed in Parisian culture, she developed a unique jazz, soul, and R&B fusion, characterized by earthy tones, timeless melodies, and impactful storytelling. Critic Eric Myers lauded her engaging stage presence.

Her lyrics weave personal experiences, historical events (like her father's Zambian activism), and her Parisian and Australian life. Major Zulu has headlined events like the Sydney International Women's Jazz Festival and shared stages with Norah Jones and Amy Winehouse. Her critically acclaimed 2021 EP, "The DIY Project Called Life," precedes her upcoming EP, "I'm Major Zulu," released May 2, 2025, featuring the single "Music Sounds Better with You." She recently performed at Foundry 616 and will perform at Art Gallery NSW on 12 April 2025.
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Reenie
Eora/Sydney-based Reenie is a dynamic force in the music scene. From hosting 'Sunset with Motorik' on FBI Radio and 'Crossing The Streams' on 2SER to laying down beats as the human 808 in Good Pash, her musical footprint is broad. Behind the decks at venues like Club 77, she masterfully blends her classical percussion skills into cosmic sonic journeys.

Reenie's DJ sets are uniquely vibrant, often featuring expansive percussion, cosmic synths, and a driving energy. Her passion for body-moving music is undeniable, evident in releases like her 'Amirite/Zero Sum' EP and 'Space Cadet EP,' as well as her recent Prince edit. A dedicated contributor to Sydney's music landscape, Reenie's infectious energy and upcoming 2025 releases are set to keep dance floors engaged and phones reaching for Shazam.
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Anieszka
Music has always been a form of healing for the remarkably evocative Australian/Mauritian artist Anieszka. Motivated by the ability to create from a deeper part of herself that people resonate with, connection is her core. Fusing R&B, neo-soul and her Mauritian roots, Anieszka also provides introspection with her thought-provoking writing and dulcet vocals. Her sound is championed by the likes of triple j, Bandcamp Daily, BBC Radio, Vogue France, Capital XTRA, RINSE FM, Colors and RUSSH Magazine, as well as gaining her very own Tik Tok banner for her release, ‘Anomaly’. 

With numerous performances in Sydney, Melbourne and London, as well as her captivating appearances at BIGSOUND 2023 in Brisbane and SXSW Sydney 2024, her live presence is equally as soothing as it is vivacious. 
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Thalia Joan
Thalia Joan is joined by her multi talented band members Nish Manjunath (keys & sax) and Papa Fire (percussion & strings). Listed as one to watch, by Time Out, Thalia Joan is known for her captivating and mesmerizing multi faceted performances with soulful singing with a healthy dose of storytelling. Join Thalia Joan, Nish and Papa Fire this year for what is sure to be a performance to remember leaving audiences wanting more. 

 
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Smithers
With a wild selection of leftfield disco and joyous house (always peppered with a few pop bangers), Smithers is most at home in offbeat queer parties working with a team of queens to make a dance floor really feel their freedom. Being acquainted with dance floors around the world, he’s spun in San Francisco, New York, Barcelona, London, Lisbon and Berlin. 

In Sydney, he’s had long stints at The Imperial, The Bank, The Green Park and Beresford Sundays. He’s been part of the roster of DJs for Heaps Gay since their very first party, played for Poof Doof in Sydney and Melbourne, thrown down sweaty RnB hits at Girlthing and Birdcage, and was a resident DJ in the early Tokyo Sing Song in its early years when it was the only Sydney bar that you could find a bearded queen. 

His festival creds include Glastonbury 2013, Splendour 2018, an annual residency at Gaytimes festival (2016-2020) and the very first Camp Queen stage of Australia’s Secret Garden Festival. He’s supported the likes of Alison Wonderland and Stanton Warriors in the overground, and Jennifer Cardini and Horsemeat Disco’s Severino in the underground. 
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Dame
Eora (so-called Sydney) based DJ & radio host Dame, AKA Dani Meyerowitz, is one of the city’s most powerful energies. A regular on Nomad Radio and one half of DJ duo Honey Point, Dame is known for her genre spanning selections & her ability to cultivate memorable moments. 

Whenever Dame gets behind the decks, listeners are in for a surprising & deeply immersive musical journey. Spinning everything from acid to Italo house, or UK Garage to Electro, her sets are truly eclectic. The symbiosis of Dame's selections and energy infuse her sets with masterfully mixed melodic beats with familiar sounds. 
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DJ CMAN
Catch DJ CMAN set live and prepare to embark on a soulful journey from funk to hip-hop, reggae to jazz, and disco through Afro-Latin grooves and beyond—all cleverly intertwined into his trademark "funky feel-good" style. He’s supported numerous international artists in Australia and also made his mark on the international scene. His ability to seamlessly connect and mix various genres ensures every DJ set is unique and engaging (you'll never hear the same set played twice!) 
 
As a music producer, CMAN Edits reflect his broad musical influences, with a melting pot of tracks and remixes that push boundaries. His distinct sound has gained recognition and high praise within the global music community, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and dynamic artist. 
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Charlie Villas
Charlie Villas is one of Sydney’s favourite party starters and most in-demand DJs. A vibe maker and dance floor legend. A master of combining styles in unexpected ways. Think disco and Prince, Paradise Garage and music from legendary New York clubs, Glitterbox with 80s boogie, global heaters and memories from the best house party you’ve ever been to. This is the spirit of Charlie Villas. 

Charlie is a staple at the best parties. Internationally, she has played sets at The Glory in London, at Paris’ favourite late-night venue Le Comptoir Général and in Tokyo in the city’s legendary women’s only bar – Goldfinger. At home in Australia, she can regularly be seen behind the decks at Heaps Gay, Poof Doof and Honcho Disko. In 2022, she will be appearing at Summer Camp Festival, Australia’s first touring Pride festival alongside Years & Years, Big Freedia, Ladyhawke and more!  

Her life-long obsession for music sparked in her teens collecting disco and soul vinyl. Her deep knowledge and love of music from all around the world has seen her work as a music consultant for film and television working at Universal Music Publishing and for retail and hospitality giants at SBA Music, and curating soundtracks for luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton as well as Adidas, Aesop, Google, Mighty Nice, Salesforce, Screen Australia and Uniqlo.
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Eddie
Eddie is a DJ and musician with a background in live acoustic performances and electronic production. Her passion is bringing uplifting tunes and creating a safe and enjoyable space for all. Her style is a mix of classic and new vocal, energetic, uplifting house for ‘hands in the air’ dancing fun.
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