A strong line-up of First Nations musicians will take to the stage at the Sydney Opera House for VIVID Live 2026, with Yolŋu rock band King Stingray, Beddy Rays, Jem Cassar-Daley, ZIPPORAH and Mi-kaisha, Drifting Clouds and rising star Miles Nautu among the artists confirmed.
The contemporary music centrepiece of the annual VIVID Sydney festival runs from 22 May to 13 June at the Opera House, programming more than 50 cutting-edge and legendary Australian and international acts in a season of world and Australian exclusives, premieres, one-off collaborations and anniversary shows.
The First Nations programming is led by Sydney Opera House Head of First Nations programming Michael Hutchings, with curation by Head of Contemporary Music Ben Marshall in his 11th year curating VIVID Live. Hutchings said the artists drew from urban, regional and remote Country across the continent, and reflected the genre breadth of contemporary First Nations music.
“The artists on the lineup demonstrate the depth and breadth of First Nations talent across genres and are from urban, regional and remote country,” Mr Hutchings said.
“We put a focus first up on exciting emerging talent that is on the verge of commercial breakthrough, including Zipporah, Jem Cassar Daley, Mi-kaisha, Miles Nautu, and Drifting Clouds, as the Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House stage will give them an important launch platform for future success.”
He said the programming also celebrated artists already establishing successful international careers.
“We also celebrate artists that are currently launching into successful music careers across Australia and the world like King Stingray and Beddy Rays.”
Hutchings said the visibility of First Nations music in mainstream cultural programming had shifted in recent years.
“What excites me is that First Nations contemporary music is no longer an add-on or token inclusion. It is becoming an important and potent part of the contemporary music and cultural landscape, as it should be.”
He said music had always carried cultural responsibility for First Nations communities, and that platforms like VIVID Live extended that work into a broader public conversation.
“Music has been vital to the continuation of the oral storytelling tradition that helps keep culture alive,” Mr Hutchings said.
King Stingray, the Yolŋu surf rock band from Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land, has built an international following on the back of widely loved albums and festival appearances. Their VIVID Live booking continues a strong run on major Australian stages.
Beddy Rays will perform a special unplugged set, while Jem Cassar-Daley – daughter of country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley – is preparing material from her debut album. Mi-kaisha, ZIPPORAH and Drifting Clouds are each working on debut full-length releases that have built genuine industry anticipation, while Naarm-based Miles Nautu has been building a national profile as a singer-songwriter rooted in soul and jazz traditions.
VIVID Live tickets are on sale through the Sydney Opera House. The wider VIVID Sydney festival, which features the Lighting of the Sails on the Opera House and light installations across the harbour, runs alongside the music program through to 13 June.
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