During the Vivid Sydney festival, as part of the Vivid LIVE events, Morrissey will perform exclusively for Australian audiences at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, May 26, Wednesday, May 27, Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, 2015.
“In terms of fan loyalty, few musicians can rival Morrissey, the leader of all the lost, angry, and disaffected; poetically giving voice to those who are disgruntled yet inarticulate.” — The Independent (UK)
SYDNEY, Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Destination NSWandSydney Opera House(Sydney Opera House) today announced that the uniquely insightful figure in British pop music,Morrissey,(Morrissey)will perform four exclusive shows duringVivid Sydneythe festival’sVivid LIVEVivid Sydney, the largest festival of light, music, and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere.
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“An Evening with Morrissey”(An Evening With Morrissey)will take place on5May26-27and5May30-31atthe Sydney Opera House,marking the artist’s first ever performance in Australia.the Sydney Opera House
Destination NSWCEOSandra Chipchasesaid: “By announcing influential indie musician Morrissey as the first artist to take part this year,Vivid LIVEis sure to win over audiences once again. As a long-standing icon in music, Morrissey is destined to captivate crowds during his exclusive Sydney shows duringVivid SydneyVivid Sydney.
Vivid SydneyVivid Sydney is the largest festival of light, music, and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, hosted and managed byDestination NSWDestination NSW, the New South Wales Government’s lead agency for tourism and major events. The performances at the Sydney Opera House as part ofVivid LIVEVivid LIVEVivid MusicAs part of the event, which celebrates ambitious popular music, it runs from May 22 through June 8. This marks the first time the event has been held duringVivid Musicthe event period.Vivid LIVEisthe Sydney Opera House’s highlight of contemporary music programming for the year.
Morrisseyis one of the most distinctive and iconic figures in pop music. Often described as an undeniable icon of melancholy or wildly entertaining songwriting,Morrissey’s romantic ballads have immortalized the post-industrial gloom of 1980s Manchester right up to today’s economic downturn. To the delight of his devoted fans, the softly spoken legend continues to create art across multiple media, including the instant Penguin ClassicAutobiography(Autobiography)and the critically acclaimed tenth albumI Am Not a Dog on a Chain(World Peace Is None of Your Business).
Due to expected high demand for tickets to this exclusive Sydney show, entry will be by ballot (see below for details).
This year marks the seventh edition ofVivid LIVE, with the Sydney Opera House’sContemporary Music Programmer, recently appointed asVivid LIVECuratorBen Marshall, overseeing the event. Ben has successfully brought acts such as The National, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, and Flying Lotus to theSydney Opera House Concert Hallstage.
The Sydney Opera HouseVivid LIVECuratorBen Marshallsaid:“I’m incredibly honoured to take on this role following such an impactful edition of the event, and I can’t wait to get stuck into it in full.Fergus LinehanisVivid LIVEpart ofVivid Sydney, an opportunity to transform the Sydney Opera House from the inside out―It isthe only time contemporary music takes over the entire theatre.”
“I’m very excited aboutVivid LIVE 2015the first announcement being the uniquely talented and stylistically distinctive Morrissey performing an exclusive show in Sydney. I still have vivid memories of his face from my high school days tucked away in my arch folder. Who would’ve thought I’d now get to witness his artistry on the concert hall stage? These four vibrant and intimate concerts will be a very special event for those who’ve been influenced by Morrissey. But get your tickets early—they’ll sell out.”
Now expected to be announced next month duringVivid Sydneythe event will be the full program forSydney Opera House’sVivid LIVE. vividsydney.com / sydneyoperahouse.com/vividLIVE
Details of this season’s exclusive performances
Title:An Evening with Morrissey
Dates:Tuesday, May 26; Wednesday, May 27; Saturday, May 30; and Sunday, May 31
Venue:Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
Tickets:From $109 per person including a friend
Important ticketing information
Given the tremendous success of Morrissey’s previous global tours, the Sydney Opera House anticipates high demand for tickets to his exclusive Australian concerts. To ensure equal opportunity for all to purchase tickets, the Opera House has implemented an online application process. This will minimise congestion across sales channels and allow for equitable distribution to fans across different time zones, states, and countries.
Ticket applications can be submittedany time between Monday, March 2, 2015 (12:00 PM AEDT) and Friday, March 6, 2015 (12:00 AM AEDT).
Tickets are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis— all applications received during this period will be treated equally.
To apply for tickets, please visitwww.sydneyoperahouse.com/morrissey
Phone or in-person applications are not accepted
Vivid LIVE
Sydney Opera HouseFromMay 22 to June 8will feature some of the most ambitious and innovative artists from Australia and abroad as part ofVivid LIVEa musical extravaganza on Australia’s most iconic stage—it’s the Southern Hemisphere’s largest light, music, and ideas festivalVivid Sydneyand part of the festival.
Vivid LIVEinvites world-class artists, creative teams, enthusiasts, and digital animators to bringthe Sydney Opera Houseto life with its theatres, rehearsal spaces, recording studios, and most iconic sail structures filled with vibrant energy. All of this becomes a unique spectacle during the annualVivid SydneyFestival.
Vivid Sydney
Vivid SydneyIt is the largest light, music, and ideas festival in the Southern Hemisphere. FromMay 22 to June 8, 2015,over 18 days, the festival transforms this harbour city with a colourful tapestry of creative installations. This year marks the seventh edition of Vivid Sydney, owned and managed by Destination NSW, the New South Wales Government’s tourism and major events agency. Vivid Sydney will feature large-scale light and projection(Vivid Light)installations; live music performances and collaborations(Vivid Music, including those atthe Sydney Opera House; opportunities to exchange creative ideas, engage in discussions and debatesVivid LIVE); exchange creative ideas, engage in discussions, and debate(Vivid Ideas)— all celebrating Sydney as the creative hub of the Asia-Pacific region. For more information, visit www.vividsydney.com
Note to Editors:
BEN MARSHALL
Ben Marshall, who has been active in Australia’s independent music scene for nearly 20 years, once had a classic journey from being a daytime law clerk to a nighttime electronic music enthusiast. At age 27, he left the legal profession to join the independent music company Inertia, where he organized and managed Civil Society (now Handsome Tours), began working closely with The National, and was the first to introduceGrizzly Bearand The xxto Australia.
He currently oversees contemporary music programming at the Sydney Opera House, curates the venue’s year-round contemporary music events, and co-produces theGraphic Festival.In recent years, he has brought highly acclaimed Australian acts to perform, such asNick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Dead Can DanceandThe Dirty Three, who made long-awaited debuts at the Opera House, while distinctive artists such asBonnie Prince Billy, Violent Femmes, Yo La Tengoand futuristic electronic musiciansJames Blake, Flying Lotus, and Caribouhave transformed the world’s most iconic stage beneath the Sydney Opera House’s sails with unforgettable performances.
Warren Ellis (of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds,Dirty Three,(a member of Grinderman)said:“The two most exciting performances of my career took place atthe Sydney Opera House,which is probably my favourite building in the world. That’s all thanks toBen Marshallhis tireless promotion. Since he becamehead of contemporary music,in an effort to honour the artistic elements of contemporary music just like similar venues in Europe and the US,Ben Marshallhe successfully opened the doors of the Sydney Opera House toNick Cave Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Dirty Threeand many other groups.”
“It’s very important that the building, which was built to reflect the cultural aspirations of its society, hosts events that reflect the living pulse of contemporary music rather than the performances of traditional arts centres. What a wonderful gift that is for both performers and audiences.”
“BenIt’s really encouraging news that there is nowVivid LIVEa new curator.
FromThe National,Bryce Dessnersaid:“It has been a real privilege to have worked with my friend and colleague,current Vivid Live curator – Ben Marshal from the Sydney Opera House – over the years in many capacities. Some of my most memorable concerts over the past decade have even been organised by Ben, including our first visit to Australia with The National and our recent return to Australia for two high-profile nights on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Ben is a huge supporter of creative music, and I believe his leadership will be a tremendous asset in continuing the success of the Vivid Live festival.”
Flying Lotus (akaSteven Ellison)said:“On a stage that wouldn’t normally invite artists like me to perform,Ben Marshall recognised the potential of our show, and the result was far better than we imagined. I’ve always loved the magic of art and music and tried to make every performance fresh and creative.―The venue you perform in makes a big difference. Sometimes the impact is subtle, but some places have a huge effect on the event. For me, performing at the Sydney Opera House was like that. Our shows are always great, but inside the Sydney Opera House they were something else.”
Visit www.vividsydney.com for more information about Vivid Sydney.