31 May 2024
In the Drama Theatre
Contemporary Music
One of Australia’s most thrilling live performers, Malyangapa and Barkindji musician and hip-hop queen BARKAA returns to the Sydney Opera House with her solo debut at Vivid LIVE.
| Date | Time |
| Friday 31 May 2024 | 7:30pm |
| Ticket | Price |
| Standard | $35 |
| Standing Room (No Seat) | $35 |
$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
In English
Wheelchair accessible
Gig Buddies, an organisation that pairs adults with intellectual disability with volunteers to attend social events, have offers available for BARKAA. Bookings are required. For more information contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House
Run time
The duration of this event is approximately 75 minutes.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
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.
GQThe new matriarch of Australian rap.
Useful information:
Hip-hop’s reigning Blak matriarch makes her Vivid LIVE solo debut
BARKAA is one of Australian music’s most powerful voices. Since her explosive breakthrough in 2020, the Malyangapa and Barkindji rapper, musician and activist has become a galvanising force for the Blak nation, speaking truth to power – and dropping a blistering succession of bangers – in a country rocked by division. After show-stealing appearances at Sydney Opera House’s Barrabuwari concert in 2021 and Astral People’s 2022 anniversary celebration, hip-hop’s irrepressible Blak matriarch returns to make her solo debut at the Drama Theatre for Vivid LIVE.
Raised in South West Sydney/Gandangara Land, BARKAA began rapping in high school, taking her stage name from the Barkindji word for the Darling River. A teenage mother, she spent time incarcerated and battling addiction, experiences that would inform her potent, politically charged music. In 2020, her debut singles “For My Tittas” and the incendiary “Our Lives Matter” became cultural sensations, the latter adopted as the unofficial soundtrack to Australia’s Black Lives Matter movement. After signing to Briggs’ Bad Apples label, BARKAA released her critically acclaimed EP Blak Matriarchy, a tribute to First Nations mothers past, present and future that was nominated for two ARIAs and won a National Indigenous Music Award for Song of the Year. In the wake of last year’s rejection of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, BARKAA unleashed “Division”, an uncompromising address to a splintered nation that confirmed the rapper as one of the country’s most vital artists.
This will be an unmissable performance from a fearless and ferociously talented star.
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.
You may also like
Snoh Aalegra
2 Jun 2024
Slinking into Sydney for the first time ever, Grammy-nominated Swedish-Iranian R&B singer Snoh Aalegra brings her smouldering soul to the Concert Hall for one night only.
Jlin
2 Jun 2024
Steel yourself for exhilirating beats and mind-melting rhythms as electronic dance music’s most innovative artist, Jlin, makes her thrilling Sydney Opera House debut for Vivid LIVE.
Tasman Keith, Flewnt & Inkabee
1 Jun 2024
Celebrate the power and vitality of First Nations hip-hop as acclaimed rappers Tasman Keith, Flewnt and 11-year-old sensation Inkabee make their Vivid LIVE debuts.
