Australian Exclusive24 - 25 May 2024
In the Joan Sutherland Theatre
Contemporary Music
Get ready to celebrate as Texan post-rock giants Explosions in the Sky play 'The Earth Is Not A Dead Cold Place', New Zealand folk-pop enigma Aldous Harding and Townsville legends The Middle East come together for the 25th anniversary of influential Australian indie label Spunk Records.
| Date | Time |
| Friday 24 May 2024 | 7:30pm |
| Saturday 25 May 2024 | 7:30pm |
| Ticket | Price |
| Premium | $139 |
| A Reserve | $129 |
| B Reserve | $119 |
| C Reserve | $39 |
| D Reserve* | $29 |
| Standing Room - NO SEAT | $119 |
*Restricted view, listening seats
$8.95 booking fee applies per transaction
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Sydney Opera House Insiders pre-sale
10am, Tuesday 12 March 2024
Become a Sydney Opera House Insider to receive exclusive pre-sale access
What’s On e-newsletter pre-sale
10am, Wednesday 13 March 2024
General Public tickets on-sale
10am, Friday 15 March 2024
Please note
Heavy theatrical haze will be used throughout this performance.
Set times
In celebration of this end of an era, we encourage you to join us for the full night. Below is the confirmed run order and approximate set times*.
6pm – Foyers and bar open
7pm – Joan Sutherland Theatre doors open
7.30pm – The Middle East (45 mins)
8.15pm – Interval
8.30pm – Aldous Harding (20 mins)
8.50pm – Interval
9.05pm – Explosions In The Sky (90 mins)
10.35pm – Event concludes
*Subject to change without notice.
Age
Suitable for all ages, recommended for ages 15+
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
GigwiseA show of such daunting scale and magnitude … Explosions’ live set electrifies the air.
Useful information:
Celebrate the end of an era as Australia’s beloved indie label marks 25 years in the business
What better way to celebrate the end of an era than with a performance from one of the loudest, most cathartic bands on the planet, playing their masterpiece? How about an enigmatic folk-pop star from New Zealand, plus a luminous local indie band whose reunions are as rare as they are legendary? To mark the finale of 25 years in the business, indie tastemakers Spunk Records are bringing out three of their favourite artists – Texan post-rock veterans Explosions In The Sky, singer-songwriter Aldous Harding, and indie-folk outfit The Middle East — for two huge nights at the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
Explosions In The Sky play 'The Earth Is Not A Dead Cold Place'
Over two decades, eight studio albums and five soundtracks, Explosions in the Sky have forged a reputation as one the greatest instrumental rock bands of the era. The band’s sold-out headline shows at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall in 2017 had audiences and critics raving over the hypnotic post-rock symphonies and a light show that seemed to stop time. Their albums include How Strange, Innocence (2000), Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever (2001) and their breakthrough The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place (2003), which saw them joining luminaries like Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mogwai at the vanguard of the century’s post-rock sound. Their latest record, End (2023), is anything but: heralding a new chapter in Explosions’ illustrious career, it has been hailed by critics as the band’s best record in years.
For this performance, Explosions In The Sky will play their 2003 masterpiece, The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place, in its entirety.
Aldous Harding
Born in Lyttelton, New Zealand, Hannah Sian Topp – better known by her shapeshifting alter ego, Aldous Harding – is a widely acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her strange and spellbinding brand of indie folk. She released her beguiling self-titled debut in 2014, followed by the John Parish-produced Party (2017) and Designer (2019), and the psychedelic folk of Warm Chris (2022). Aldous will deliver a small but powerful set to celebrate the momentous occasion.
The Middle East
Formed in Townsville in 2005, orchestral indie pop band The Middle East broke through with their 2009 EP Recordings of the Middle East, which yielded the euphoric folk of “Blood” and the Hottest 100 hit “The Darkest Side”. Their 2011 debut album I Want That You Were Happy won the prestigious Australian Music Prize. After breaking up, the band reunited for a one-off show at Vivid LIVE in 2019.
Spunk Records
Founded by Aaron Curnow in 1999, Spunk Records is one Australia’s most beloved and influential independent labels. They’ve released music from such acclaimed international artists as Sleater-Kinney, Sufjan Stevens, Joanna Newsom, ANOHNI, The Shins, Belle and Sebastian, Arcade Fire, and of course, Explosions in the Sky, in addition to countless local favourites.
Presented by Sydney Opera House
VIVID LIVE 2024
Plan your visit
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
Visitors and ticketholders are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time and use public transport whenever possible when arriving for an event or performance. Large crowds are expected on the Opera House precinct and around the CBD, and road closures may be in place.
For further information, please visit Transport NSW’s Vivid Sydney page.
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 so allow extra travel time.
Visit Transport NSW’s Vivid Sydney page for more details on service changes
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 wherever possible 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.
Frequently asked questions
Attending the Opera House during Vivid Sydney
The Lighting of the Sails during Vivid Sydney is a free event. You do not need a ticket to view the incredible animations by Julia Gutman on the Sails every night from 24 May – 15 June.
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.
It is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as tickets may not be available at the door.
In line with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags on entry. 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.
Please follow the directions of Opera House staff and security.
Yes, cloaking will remain available but it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly and leave large, bulky items at home.
The following items are prohibited:
- BYO alcohol
- Glass beverage containers
- Professional cameras or recording devices
- Laser pointers or selfie sticks
- Illegal substances including controlled, dangerous or illicit drugs
- Offensive signage or clothing
Further information about items that are prohibited onsite can be found on our Conditions of Entry.
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House is a smoke-free site.
The Smoke-free Environment Policy applies to all areas of the Opera House precinct and covers all forms of tobacco and non-tobacco smoking, including cigarettes, vapes, e-cigarettes, cigars and water pipe tobacco smoking. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy.
Yes, 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.
Download shuttle bus route map during Vivid Sydney (PDF)
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 4 and 6 June. Bookings are required. For more information please visit the event page.
Gig Buddies, an organisation that pairs adults with a learning disability or autism with volunteers to attend social events, have offers available for AIR Play Moon Safari, Astral People presents Spice Trail, Thelma Plum, BARKAA, dstreet Studio Party and Tia Gostelow. Bookings are required. For more information contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
How do I travel to the Opera House during Vivid Sydney?
The Opera House and Circular Quay precincts are 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 please refer to the road closure map and visit Live Traffic NSW.
The Opera House Wilson car park will be open every evening during Vivid Sydney, however the car park is expected to reach capacity early and egress will likely be delayed due to long queues.
Entry and exit may be impacted by the temporary closure of Macquarie Street during the Vivid Sydney drone show, Love Is In The Air, on the 8, 9 and 15 June.
What can I eat and drink during Vivid LIVE?
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. BYO alcohol is strictly prohibited from the Opera House.
The Opera House has a range of onsite bars and restaurants which are perfect for a quick snack or sit-down meal.
Food trucks will also be set up on the forecourt offering festival-goers a variety of snacks and small plates to dine on after dark. Vegan and vegetarian options will also be available. Open from 5pm every day of the festival.
For more information on what’s on offer, visit the Eat & Drink at Vivid LIVE page.
Cashless payment methods are strongly recommended. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to assist with swift transactions.
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