Sydney Harbour glowed and came alive for this incredible event. Australia Day Live delivered a high-impact, deeply felt celebration that transformed the Sydney Opera House forecourt into a shared national gathering, bringing together extraordinary Australian artists, diverse cultural voices, and a crowd ready to listen, sing, and dance together.
Setting the Scene: A Harbour-Wide Prelude
Even before a note was sung on stage, the atmosphere had been intentionally set. Walking through Circular Quay, Australian music poured through the speakers, turning the entire harbour precinct into a living prelude. Songs like Evie (Let Your Hair Hang Down) by Stevie Wright, Tip of My Tongue by Diesel, and Holy Grail by Hunters & Collectors echoed across the promenade, bringing nostalgia and pride to someone like me who has grown up with the Australian music landscape firmly placed in my heart.
It was simply joyous to be there, dancing, and soaking up an unforgettable night of Australian music. Many of the artists on stage were people I know and admire, which made the experience feel both intimate and expansive. It was far more than a concert; it felt like a milestone.
A Powerful Opening: Kate Ceberano
The night opened with commanding presence as beloved national treasure Kate Ceberano took the stage, launching into a powerful opening medley. Kate standing at the drum kit while singing was a force. Bold, unapologetic, and electric, it set the tone immediately. Her performances on the night included Boys in Town by the Divinyls, and her much-loved Pash, reminding everyone why her voice remains one of the great constants of Australian music.
First Nations at the Heart of the Night
First Nations culture and leadership sat at the heart of the program, which felt honouring and emotional. Yothu Yindi were transcendent – their presence joyful, authoritative, and profoundly moving. The Opera House lit up with the Aboriginal flag on the sails as they performed Treaty, a song released in 1991 that continues to resonate with enormous power.
Alongside them, William Barton’s didgeridoo filled the harbour with ancient resonance, among the most powerful I have ever heard, while Rrawun Maymuru and the Doonooch Dancers brought ceremony, rhythm, and story to the stage. An absolute highlight of the night.
High Energy and Iconic Reimaginings
Energy surged when Burn the Floor dancers exploded into a high-energy, rhythmic reimagining of Land Down Under, sung with charisma and power by Tyler Azzopardi. Tyler, the musical director of Burn the Floor, is widely recognised for his commanding vocal presence, and the crowd responded in kind.
Intimate Moments and Rock Authority
Moments of intimacy and strength were beautifully woven through the evening. The iconic Wendy Matthews delivered a fantastic performance of her huge hit Let’s Kiss. Multi-talented Rai Thistlethwayte brought fun and freedom to the stage with the Thirsty Merc hit In the Summertime, while Joe Camilleri grounded the night with a gritty, heartfelt rendition of Chained to the Wheel.
Rock energy hit hard when Dave Gleeson of the Screaming Jets took the stage to perform Better. It was raw, grounded, and unmistakably Australian.
A Unifying Singalong
One of the most unifying moments of the evening came when Cody Simpson performed Never Tear Us Apart, supported by soaring backing vocals from Glenn Cunningham and Christine Muscat, who sang brilliantly all night. Thousands sang along as the harbour itself seemed to join in.
Contemporary Voices, Forward Energy
The contemporary voices shone brightly. Jude York delivered a compelling cover of Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Outta My Head, while Jael Wena lifted the crowd with a powerhouse rendition of Unstoppable by Sia. Performances by Diego Torre, Victor Valdes, DJ Ha, Cianna Walker, and Olivia Coe Fox ensured the program felt vibrant, current, and forward-looking.
The Band at the Core
The heartbeat of the night was the core band, who anchored and supported many more excellent musicians across the stage throughout the evening, under the musical direction of David Pritchard-Blunt. Gordon Rytmeister on drums drove the evening with his unmistakable authority; Mark Costa on bass delivered striking playing across the program, while Rex Goh on guitar and Stefan Nowak on keys added colour, texture, and depth.
A Historic and Moving Moment
An extremely significant and moving sequence came with the Jewish musical presentation, delivered by performers from SHIR, the Australian Jewish Music Festival. This moment was historic, marking the first time Hebrew has been sung on the Opera House forecourt, and the first time Jewish music has been presented as part of Australia Day Live.
The quality of the singers, particularly the female vocalists Sarit Michael and Sasha Fisher, was exceptional. It was a level of musicality that drew admiration from fellow performers, as well as the audience.
I Am Australian: Unity in Song
The tribute flowed seamlessly into I Am Australian, directed with sensitivity and vision by Ben Adler on violin. Ralph Marshall played bass for this section, with the moment joined by Cody Simpson, Olivia Coe Fox, and Bruce Woodley, the songwriter himself. It was a powerful metaphor for unity, continuity, and shared national identity.
As voices rose together, the crowd stood taller in collective recognition, singing together, with many visibly moved.
A Night to Be Proud Of
When fireworks lit the sky above Sydney Harbour, they felt like a celebration already earned. Australia Day Live succeeded not by simplifying who we are, but by holding space for joy, history, complexity, and belonging – all at once.
I left the night uplifted and proud, grateful for the music, the artists, and the reminder that when Australia listens to itself and sings together, something genuinely powerful happens.
A review by Simone Waddell