Expressions of Interest: Music

Vivid Music presents a program of innovative performances from emerging and established artists, held across the city’s most unique spaces. Applications are open to venues, event producers, promoters, artists, industry associations and collectives to submit event concepts responding to our 2024 creative direction – Vivid Sydney: Humanity.

We are seeking proposals with an artist-first focus, encouraging creatives to develop innovative and cutting-edge live music experiences across multiple genres.

We want you to present your performance, venue, or event for inclusion in Vivid Music.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

To apply you will need to provide the following:

  • Personal information, contact and contracting details
  • A brief written description of the proposed event including but not limited to:
  •  
    • Details of the proposed talent or line-up, including examples of previous work
    • The proposed event details including performance dates, times, name, ticket prices
    • Details of the proposed venue, including venue availability, and any existing audiences
  • How the event relates to the 2024 Creative Direction
  • Event marketing and communications information and an explanation of how you plan to market your event. Please include examples of previous marketing material and details on social media and digital marketing communities
  • A detailed budget breakdown, including how any requested investment will assist in further developing program content, quality, and scope
  • Information on the accessibility and sustainability of your event.

SELECTION CRITERIA

In your EOI please demonstrate how your Music Event meets the following criteria:

  1. Creative and artistic merit, demonstrating the use of cutting-edge artists or DJs and innovation in live music technology, that address the 2024 creative direction. Innovative programming including new genres or performance styles, or established acts presenting work in new formats
  2. A program / event which enhances or presents a new concept in a unique space or venue
  3. Demonstration of potential for the program to attract visitation from outside Sydney
  4. Demonstration of your event’s commitment to accessible and sustainable practices

Applicants are required to read the following documents prior to applying:

Who can apply for Vivid Music?

Applications are open to any individual, collective or organisation to present an event in the Vivid Sydney program. You will need to hold an ABN (Australian Business Number) to enter into an agreement with Destination NSW (the owner and manager of Vivid Sydney).

If you are applying as a group of individuals, one member must be nominated to sign and manage the agreement for the event using their ABN.

Applicants must meet the following prerequisites prior to submitting an Expression of Interest for Vivid Music 2024:

  • The applicant must be a registered business or sole trader (hold an ABN, ACN or international equivalent)
  • The proposed event must not be a sales pitch or promotional tool for your business, products, or services
  • The event must take place in Sydney during the festival period - Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June 2024
  • The applicant must be prepared and able to enter into a contract with Destination NSW (Destination NSW owns, manages and produces the festival) for the duration of the event, which includes holding all relevant licenses, insurances and approvals
  • The applicant must hold or be willing to take out public liability insurance to the value of $20 million for the duration of their event
  • Applicants must ensure that all public liability purchased internationally is valid worldwide, preferably with the interests of Destination NSW noted
What kinds of events are you seeking for Vivid Music?

Vivid Music is focused specifically on live music or nightclub experiences at the cutting edge of creativity, culture and technology. Application is open to all genres, from emerging to established artists, provided the event or artists showcases innovation within their chosen genre.

Events must be related to the music industry; either serving the music sector or live performance and must take place in Sydney during the festival.

Events must announce as part of the Vivid Sydney Program Launch in March 2024 (exact date TBC), with marketing images and materials provided to Vivid Sydney in late January 2024 for approval (date TBC).

While we accept applications directly from music artists proposing to self-produce an event in which they may feature, we do not accept applications from music acts looking to be booked or considered for other events or venues.

Is there funding available that I can apply for?

At the discretion of Vivid Sydney, some events may be awarded investment, or co-developed in partnership with Destination NSW. Budget is not specifically allocated for this investment; however, you may list your budget requirements in your application form for us to discuss with you.

Outside of direct investment, we may be able to assist your event with venue procurement or marketing support.

Why should I apply?

Applicants can benefit from the following:

  • Inclusion in Australia’s largest and most successful public event
  • Cross promotion within a program of high-quality music industry events and live performances
  • Marketing support for your event through integration with the wider Vivid Sydney program and marketing campaign. This includes a listing of the event on the Vivid Sydney website, and potential event inclusion in the Vivid Sydney digital marketing program
I’m interested in performing at the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE or at Carriageworks

The Vivid Music program and this Expression of Interest does not cover performances at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE or the Carriageworks music program. These organisations do not accept applications via public call out and we are unable to assess or pass any applications on for consideration.

What information do you require in the Expression of Interest?

To apply you will need to provide the following:

  • Personal information, contact and contracting details
  • A brief written description of the proposed event including but not limited to:
    • Details of the proposed talent or line-up, including examples of previous work.
    • The proposed event details including performance dates, times, name, ticket prices
    • Details of the proposed venue, including venue availability and any existing audiences
  • How the event relates to the 2024 Creative Direction
  • Event marketing and communications information and an explanation of how you plan to market your event. Please include examples of previous marketing material and details on social media and digital marketing communities
  • A detailed budget breakdown, including how any requested investment will assist in further developing program content, quality, and scope
  • Information on the accessibility and sustainability of your event
What does it cost to submit an application?

There is no application fee to enter an Expression of Interest for Vivid Sydney.

Does Vivid Sydney utilise a specific ticketing platform?

Destination NSW will engage a third-party ticketing agent with integration into the Vivid Sydney website. Vivid Music events will be offered the opportunity to sell through this platform should it proceed.

Can I have a sponsor for my event?

Sponsors may be engaged for your event but must be approved by Destination NSW. Sponsors will only have rights and benefits to your event and will not be able to align themselves with the wider Vivid Music or Vivid Sydney programs.

There may be restrictions on sponsors in product categories including (but not limited to) alcohol, cause-related marketing, banking and credit cards, automotive, technology (consumer and business), cleaning and hygiene, immigration, gambling and gaming, adult products or services and political groups or activities.

Can I submit more than one idea?

Yes, you are welcome to submit more than one music event that fits the selection criteria. You will need to apply separately for each submission.

We suggest you limit your submissions to your strongest concepts.

We’re a brand looking to align with Vivid Music. Should we complete this expression of interest?

Get in touch with our Partnerships team to discuss your proposal.

What is the review process?

Applications will be assessed and shortlisted for inclusion in the Vivid Music program by the Vivid Sydney Curatorial Panel, see all Key dates.

Please keep a copy of all submitted material, as this cannot be returned by Vivid Sydney.

The decisions of the Vivid Sydney curatorial panel are final, and no feedback can be given on individual applications.

What happens once my event is accepted?

You will be required to enter a contract with Destination NSW outlining the requirements and responsibilities of both parties during the term. Contracts will be sent out in November 2023 and will be required to be finalised by mid-December 2023.

We require marketing materials and images for your event by end of January 2024 in order to be proofed and approved for the festival launch in mid-March 2024. These materials will be collected via an online form along with additional event information. Submitted event copy will be edited or re-written by our internal copywriter for consistency across the website.

You agree that you will not announce your event prior to the Vivid Sydney media launch in mid-March 2024 (date TBC).