Vivid Sydney, the city’s winter festival of “light, music and ideas”, returns in 2011 with an intriguing curator at the helm. While the first edition was overseen by Brian Eno and 2010’s helmed by rock royalty Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, next up is a personality closer to home. Stephen ‘Pav’ Pavlovic – founder of label, touring company and hipster haven Modular People – was announced this morning as the man in charge of the program in the new year.

Given Modular’s ever-widening international focus and love for music you can dance to, this program is sure to be worth keeping tabs on. “I am extremely honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to create an event in one of the world’s most iconic venues,” Pavlovic enthuses in a statement. “It’s like I’ve been asked to prepare a 10 course degustation menu of music and art for what is clearly a Michelin starred restaurant.”

Since it was founded in 1998, Modular has championed some of Australia’s brightest talents. 2011 is set to be a landmark year for the label, with new albums expected from The Presets, Cut Copy, Van She and, fingers crossed, The Avalanches. Let’s also not forget Pavlovic and his team brought Daft Punk to Australia as part of the gargantuan Nevereverland tour in 2007, so we’re in safe hands…

The program for Vivid LIVE 2011 will be revealed in March. The festival runs from Friday 27 May to Sunday 5 June.