Birdz and Fred Leone Present: Girra
28 May 2023
In the Utzon Room
Contemporary Music
With their lyrical flow, dynamic beats and ferociously political subject matter, rappers and cousins Birdz and Fred Leone bring their distinct brand of hip-hop from the Butchulla Nation to the Vivid LIVE stage.
| Date | Time |
| Sunday 28 May | 7pm |
| Standard | Price |
| All | $29 |
$8.95 booking fee applies per transaction
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the FAQ below. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times. Children aged 0-23 months at the time of a performance may be seated on a parent’s lap free of charge. All children occupying a seat or aged 2 years of age must hold a valid ticket.
A maximum of six (6) tickets per customer are available for purchase. Tickets purchased in excess of a ticket limit may be cancelled without notice.
Sydney Opera House Insiders pre-sale
12pm, Tuesday 14 March 2023
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What’s On e-newsletter on-sale
12pm, Wednesday 15 March 2023
General Public tickets on-sale
12pm, Friday 17 March 2023
In English
Wheelchair accessible
Audio loop available
No language barrier
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House
Run time
The duration of this event is approximately 60 minutes.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Age
Recommended for all ages.
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times. Children aged 0-23 months at the time of a performance may be seated on a parent’s lap free of charge. All children occupying a seat or aged 2 years of age must hold a valid ticket.
The AU ReviewBirdz took the stage with hypeman Fred Leone and had the audience captivated. The socially conscious songs showcased his versatile flow of tight bars and melodic hooks.
Brand new beats and rhymes from the Butchulla Duo
When their swaggering, anti-colonialist hip-hop collaboration “Bagi-la-m Bargan” stormed the Triple J Hottest 100 in 2020, Birdz and Fred Leone ascended to their rightful place in the national consciousness – and haven’t looked back. Cousins and musical brothers from the Butchulla Nation, Rapper Birdz and Songman Leone are a formidable live double act, capable of raising the roof and speaking truth to power in equally ferocious measure.
After making his Vivid LIVE debut as part of Briggs’ Bad Apples House Party in 2019, Birdz returns – with Leone in tow – as they make their Sydney Opera House debut, showcasing songs from their new recording, Girra.
Raised in the Northern Territory, the Naarm-based Nathan ‘Birdz’ Bird was first inspired by American hip-hop acts like 2Pac and Ice Cube, alongside Indigenous poet Bobbi Sykes. His first EP Birdz Eye View (2013) and 2016 singles “Rise” and “Black Lives Matter” announced him as a powerful new voice in Australian hip-hop, a reputation he cemented with his debut album Train of Thought (2017), which won the AIR award for Best Independent Hip Hop Album. Led by the breakout success of “Bagi-la-m Bargan”, Birdz’ long-awaited second album, LEGACY (2021), proved the rapper was one of the most uncompromising and musically gifted artists in local hip-hop. A poignant reckoning with stolen generations, the record was nominated for a National Indigenous Music Award, and featured collaborations with country superstar Missy Higgins (“LEGACY part 2), rising R&B artist Ngaiire (on the hooky, triumphant radio hit “Fly”), and vocalist Thom Crawford (the reggaeton-powered “They Don’t Know”).
An artist, hip-hop musician and Butchulla Songman with Aboriginal, Tongan and South-Sea Islander heritage, Fred Leone is Birdz’ cousin, sonic collaborator and frequent on-stage hype-man. As both an award winning rapper and a custodian of traditional songs, Leone has developed a singular voice in Australian hip-hop, incorporating instruments such as the didgeridoo, boomerang and Emu egg into his performances. He’s toured with Public Enemy, Dead Prez and People Under The Stairs, and is the founder of Queensland’s first Indigenous-owned and operated record label, Impossible Odds Records. This is Birdz & Fred Leone's Vivid LIVE debut, as they present songs from their new recording Girra.
Presented by Sydney Opera House
Other information
Venue information
Our foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six minute walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our audiences and visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Frequently asked questions
- The Lighting of the Sails during Vivid Sydney is a free event. You will not need a ticket.
- If you are attending a performance as part of the Vivid LIVE program, a valid ticket is required. It’s highly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance.
- In line with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags prior to entering the building. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine. Please travel lightly and do not bring items that require cloaking e.g. handbags bigger than A4-size, backpacks and umbrellas, which are not permitted inside our venues.
- Yes, cloaking will remain available but it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly and leave large, bulky items at home. Cloakroom attendants will use disposable paper tickets to keep track of your items.
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House became a smoke-free site in January 2022. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy.
Please note that BYO alcohol or glass is not permitted onsite. Further information about items that are prohibited onsite can be found on our Conditions of Entry.
- For patrons who are blind or have low vision, the Opera House will be hosting two audio-described sessions of this year’s images projected on to the sails on 13 and 15 June. For more information please visit the event page.
- A complimentary shuttle bus and buggy service will be in operation during Vivid Sydney. Please contact the Box Office to confirm operating hours on 02 9250 7777.
- Gig Buddies, an organisation that pairs adults with intellectual disability with volunteers to attend social events have been offered to attend Becca Hatch, Future Classic, Alfa Mist, Devonte Hynes and Ethel Cain. For more information contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
The Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay precincts are very popular and attract large crowds during Vivid Sydney. Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave the car at home and use public transport wherever possible. During this time, there will be changes to transport timetables.
For further information, please visit Transport NSW’s Vivid Sydney page.
There will be a range of road closures in the Sydney CBD during Vivid Sydney. For detailed information on road closures during Vivid Sydney, please visit Live Traffic NSW.
- The Sydney Opera House car park will be open every evening during Vivid Sydney, however it is expected to reach capacity early. Patrons are encouraged to use public transport and allow extra travel time.
- Please note that if you drive and arrive early for parking, you may not be able to exit if there are road closures in place.
- For detailed information on road closures during Vivid Sydney, please visit Live Traffic NSW.
Ticketholders are welcome to bring their own water bottle (as long as it isn’t made of glass) but no other food and drinks are permitted inside our venues.
The Opera House has a range of onsite bars and restaurants which are perfect for a quick snack or sit-down meal.
Cashless payment methods are strongly encouraged. Please bring a credit or debit card for any onsite purchases.
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