The Vivid Live 2012 lineup was announced this morning after weeks of speculation on who might be headlining the critically acclaimed festival.
Joining the previously announced Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, and Nico Muhly, will be Karen O and KK Barrett’s psycho opera Stop the Virgens that will do a performances across five nights seeing over 50+ artists on stage.
Florence and the Machine will also be dropping by for one night only with the Ceremonial Orchestra, as will Janelle Monae and her Anchandroid Orchestra for her first ever Australian visit.
The Temper Trap will also preview songs from their sophomore self-titled album in an Australian Premiere exclusive to the festival, and Amon Tobin’s epic audiovisual spectacular ISAM will play 2 performances in the Concert Hall on June 2.
In a world premiere and another commission exclusive to Vivid Live Danish trio Efterklang wil be performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestr.
Other acts joining on in the fun will be local acts Seekae and PTV, Vivid Live alumini My Brightest Diamond, Imogen Heap, as well as a Modular showcase featuring Tom Vek, Jonathan Boulet and Kindness.
Niche Productions will present two of the most singular and exciting young voices to emerge in underground Hip Hop, Detroit’s Danny Brown and LA’s MED in their first Australian performances.
FBi Radio and Penny Drop will present an evening dedicated to a darker side of indie rock that has recently flourished around the world with the Studio taken over with the Australian debuts of Zola Jesus and Light Asylum.
Future Classic and Good Good Smallclub will also be hosting special nights at the festival.
To close out the festival will also be a very special screening of LCD SOundsystem’s documentary Shut Up & Play the Hits, put on in conjunction with the Sydney Film Festival.
The Opera House had also previously announced that they’ll be ditching the artist-curated concept which has seen the likes of Brian Eno, couple Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, and last year the head of Modular – Steve Pavlovic, who were given full access to the venue and told to run wild with their imagination.
Last year Pavlovic oversaw performances from the likes of The Cure, Bat For Lashes, Spiritualized, 2manydjs, and Architecture In Helsinki amongst others.
The decision to axe the curator comes as the Opera House continues on its quest to be seen as a venue for both contemporary music as well as high culture. Over the last year numerous contemporary music events have been held at the venue such as Odd Future, Gotye, Janet Jackson and more.
Vivid Live 2012 Lineup
Karen O and KK Barrett’s Stop the Virgens
Florence+the Machine
The Temper Trap
Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, and Bryce Dessner
Janelle Monae and the Anchandroid Orchestra
Amon Tobin’s ISAM
Efterklang and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
PVT
LCD Soundsystem’s Shut Up & Play The Hits
My Brightest Diamond
Seekae
Nights Like This w/ Danny Brown and MED
Modular Night w/ Tom Vek, Jonathan Boulet, and Kindness
FBI/Penny Drop Party w/ Zola Jesus, Light Asylum, and Forces
Imogen Heap
Good God Danceteria!
Vivid LIVE will run at the Sydney Opera House from May 25 to June 3.
Tickets on sale 22nd March.
