inthemix | News | Sydney Festival program lands

It’s fair to say January is the month the Harbour City of Sydney shines brightest. The days linger that little bit longer, the nights are fresh and balmy – and the Sydney Festival ensures you’re always up past bedtime.

True to form, in 2009 there’s an absolute smorgasbord of musical alchemy on offer once again. Between the awesome-overload of All Tomorrow’s Parties, Festival First Night, the Beck’s Festival Bar, as well various theatre shows and events, you won’t be without options. Here’s what inthemix has earmarked as highlights – but it’s only the tip of the iceberg!

FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT

On Saturday 10 January, Festival First Night returns after its smashing debut earlier this year (have a look at the inthemix galleries from the 2008 street party!) How do you top Brian Wilson, Spank Rock, Paul Kelly and Chromeo? Well, the 2009 edition features free performances from queen of camp Grace Jones, live funk dynamos Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Brooklyn’s ‘it girl’ Santogold, turntable rocker A-Trak and local pranksters The Cat Empire. Just as it did in ’08, Festival First Night will take over the city’s streets and squares usually reserved for 9-5 drudgery. The price is right too!

BECK’S FESTIVAL BAR

Across 14 nights at the Hyde Park Barrack, the Beck’s Festival Bar is looking mighty enticing in 2009. The entire line-up is still to be announced, but here’s the current list of events to get you salivating! In 2009 the Beck’s Festival Bar is proudly presented by inthemix.

Jan 14 – Java (France)
Jan 15 – Popfrenzy Party feat. Metronomy (UK), Pivot and Totally Michael (US)
Jan 16 – Throwing Muses (US) & Dappled Cities
Jan 22 – Z-Trip (US) & Tzu
Jan 23 – Disco Nouveau pres. Holy Ghost! (US), Idjut Boys (UK), Theatre of Disco, Nathan McLay & Canyons
Jan 24 – Hyper-Dub pres. The Bug feat. Warrior Queen, Rhythm & Sounds (Ger), Maurizio & Tikiman, Mark Pritchard, Sub Bass Snarl, Victim, Garage Pressure, Ozi Battla & Steve Spacek
Jan 28 – FBi Night pres. Buraka Som Sistema (Por)
Jan 31 – Mad Racket pres Daedelus (US), Simon Caldwell, Jimmi James, Ken Cloud & Zootie

ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES

You may have heard of this one? One of the coolest festival brands on the planet is setting up camp on Cockatoo Island, with a line-up handpicked by indomitable troubadour Nick Cave. Find out all you need to know here on FasterLouder.com.au.

CONCERTS GALORE

She mightn’t have made a great Bond girl, but we’re damn sure Grace Jones will put on a dazzling live show. She’s doing three nights at the Enmore Theatre. Over at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, the talent will be first-rate. Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová and The Frames will perform songs from the ‘musical for people who hate musicals’ Once. UK electronic icon Matthew Herbert is also set to lead his jazz big band through a night of “live sampling, electronics and vocals”. Exciting, that one. The City Recital Hall is hosting three sure-to-be-coveted concerts, too. Parisian kook Camille will present her off-kilter take on pop music, while indie-folk hero Bon Iver sweetly serenades us and Ninja Tunes flag-bearers The Cinematic Orchestra do their full audio-visual show.

There’s a whole lot more on offer at Sydney Festival 2009, so stay tuned to inthemix for full dates and venues!