Vivid Music: Tumbalong Nights

Melbourne sextet Gut Health, led by Athina Uh Oh, bring explosive blend of noise rock, jazz and disco-leaning rhythms to Tumbalong Nights. Joining them, rising act Swapmeet fuse ’90s alt-rock grit with modern energy. With debut album Mount Zero approaching, they’re quickly emerging as one of 2026’s most exciting names.

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: Hot Flush
• 7-8pm: Swapmeet
• 8-8.30pm: Hot Flush
• 8.30-9.30pm: Gut Health
• 9.30-10.30pm: Hot Flush

Three rising artists showcase the best in Asia’s rising underground scene. Billionhappy and Sebii bring the fun with their 2000s era Mandarin/English pop rap; Korean producer KimJ has established a cult following globally, while Melbourne act CLAIR adds a local flavour.

SET TIMES

• 6-6.30pm: CLAIR
• 6.40-7.10pm: Chalky Wong
• 7.20-8pm: Billionhappy
• 8.10-8.50pm: SEBii
• 9.00-9.40pm: kimj (DJ Set)

Best known for his smash hit 'Way Back Home', which topped the South Korean charts in 2018 above tracks by Twice, BTS and Blackpink, SHAUN's smooth, relaxing pop has made him a major star. He’s joined by Jiselle, the soulful Korean R&B star who has built a global fanbase since debuting in 2019 with ‘Missed Connections’. Shifting between Korean and English over slick, electronic beats, Jiselle’s lush music will light up Tumbalong Nights.

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: Mowgli May
• 7-8pm: Jiselle
• 8-8.30pm: Mowgli May
• 8.30-9.30pm: SHAUN
• 9.30-10.30pm: Mowgli May

A night of smooth, arresting R&B from two fast-rising Australian acts, ARIA Award-winning Central Coast star BOY SODA and Sydney teenager That Gurl Bella.

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: Krystel Diola
• 7-8pm: That Gurl Bella
• 8-8.30pm: Krystel Diola
• 8.30-9.30pm: Boy Soda
• 9.30-10.30pm: Krystel Diola

Big voices. Heart-soaring moments. Music you’ll recognise from the first note. Experience opera’s most electrifying favourites performed live and free — dramatic, joyful and a little bit cheeky. No prior knowledge required. Just brace yourself for goosebumps.

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: DJ Dan Murphy
• 7-7.50pm: Moonlight Opera
• 7.50-8.15pm: DJ Dan Murphy
• 8.15-9.05pm: Moonlight Opera
• 9.05-10.30pm: DJ Dan Murphy

Hailing from one of Nigeria’s greatest dynasties, Seun Kuti brings a vibrant show of Afrobeats to Vivid. Grammy-nominee and one of Time’s most influential people, Seun will see a packed house of loyal and new fans.

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: MEEM
• 7-8pm: Tjaka
• 8-8.30pm: MEEM
• 8.30-9.30pm: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
• 9.30-10.30pm: MEEM

One of Jamaica's most legendary roots reggae acts performs a special free concert, plus alluring Casio-gospel from Luritja Land.

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: Jack's Hit House
• 7-8pm: Keanu Nelson
• 8-8.30pm: Jack's Hit House
• 8.30-9.30pm: The Congos
• 9.30-10.30pm: Jack's Hit House

Japanese electronica two ways: refined dance music imbued with traditional folk elements, and a genre-defying groove complete with an audio-visual spectacle. Incorporating wind instruments, bells and saxophone, HUGEN's electronic folk is immensely relaxing yet danceable, with smooth beats guiding tracks underneath.

SET TIMES

• 6-6.30pm: Levins
• 6.30-7.25pm: HUGEN
• 7.30-8pm: Levins
• 8-9pm: Niko Niko Tan Tan
• 9-9.30pm: Levins

Sydney's innovative underground takes Tumbalong Nights, with Skeleten's cerebral dance music and Ashkan Shafiei's jazz and funk-fused take on Persian folk. Skeleten is the critically adored solo project of Russell Fitzgibbon - a major force in Sydney's electronic and dance scene for more than a decade as a producer and DJ.

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: Cinta
• 7-8pm: Ashkan Shafiei
• 8-8.30pm: Cinta
• 8.30-9.30pm: Sleleton
• 9.30-10.30pm: Cinta

One of Australia’s most revered underground bands, Eddy Current Suppression Ring (ECSR) have always maintained their DIY spirit ever since the four-piece formed in 2003 – even when their Australian Music Prize-winning second album Primary Colours broke into the mainstream.  

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: DJ Huwston
• 7-8pm: Chikchika
• 8-8.30pm: DJ Huwston
• 8.30-9.30pm: Eddy Current Suppression Ring
• 9.30-10.30pm: DJ Huwston

Two-time ARIA Award-winner and multi-platinum national treasure Matt Corby will take to the Tumbalong Nights stage to send off Vivid Sydney with a special free concert. Corby’s 2023 album Everything’s Fine scored 3 x ARIA nominations, including Album Of The Year, plus a nom for triple j’s Australian Album of the Year. Joining Corby is Gretta Ray, the celebrated singer-songwriter who has spellbound audiences since winning triple j’s Unearthed High in 2016 with ‘Drive’.

SET TIMES

• 6-7pm: Mike Who
• 7-8pm: Gretta Ray
• 8-8.30pm: Mike Who
• 8.30-9.30pm: Matt Corby
• 9.30-10.30pm: Mike Who