Sydney was illuminated in an explosion of colour and light last night, when the Vivid Sydney Festival was officially launched. NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner officially opened the event, which is to run until June 10, unveiling a breathtaking two-week program of world-class art, innovation and movement.

Vivid Sydney is coming up quick on from 24th May to 10th June and it is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest annual celebration of light, music and ideas, transforming Sydney for these 18 nights from 6pm. Here's a few highlights to try to get to during the festival if you're in Sydney, as Vivid celebrates Sydney as a creative hub of Australia and the Asia Pacific region with immersive light installations and projections; music performances and collaborations; and creative ideas, public talks, industry seminars, conferences, workshops and debates. The full Vivid Sydney program is available at http://vividsydney.com

Documentary filmmaker Kaye Harrison (pictured, left) speaks to Larry Heath about her new film, The Sunnyboy. Premiering at the Sydney Film Festival on the day of The Sunnyboys Opera House concert for VIVID, the documentary follows frontman Jeremy Oxley’s life, music and thirty-year battle with schizophrenia.

On the eve of their historic Opera House gig for VIVID and Sydney Film Festival documentary premiere, Larry Heath talks to Richard Burgman, guitarist of legendary Australian band, The Sunnyboys. The original line-up of Jeremy Oxley (guitar, vocals), Peter Oxley (bass), Richard Burgman (guitar), and Bill Bilson (drums) reunited in 2012. Calling from Ontario, Canada, he discusses their path to reunion and what lies ahead.

In this issue: Vivid LIVE 2013 Studio Parties, John Butler joins Gurrumul on Barunga Festival 2013 lineup, Weekend Vines Wee Waa Camping Festival, Second artist announcements snowballing, Release The Bats – an all day Halloween party extravaganza, CherryRock013 announces playing times and Gympie Muster third artist announcement – a second muster coup!

Vivid LIVE 2013 Studio Parties

Cloud Control aren't the band you'd expect to be super secretive about a new song, let alone an upcoming record, but when it comes to their anticipated sophomore LP - the follow up to the AMP Award winning Bliss Release - mum is definitely the word from both band and management. Which makes it especially difficult to conduct an interview about the album, which they'll be premiering at VIVID Festival later this year.

Sydney's VIVID Live program is set to host an exploration into the heart of American folk and blues music, courtesy of Megafaun and Fight the Big Bull. The Durham-based band, along with the Matthew E. White led jazz collective, will be presenting a reinterpretation of Alan Lomax's Sounds of the South collection of recordings from 1961. With Justin Vernon and Frazey Ford on vocal duties, these are set to be special shows and highlights of the VIVID Live program for sure.

A huge amount of world class talent has today been announced to be gracing the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE 2013. The 5th annual Vivid Sydney festival of 'light, music and ideas' will be taking place from May 24 until June 2, with the Opera House becoming the host to some stellar local and international talent.

Celebrating musical pioneers who've done their part in shaping popular and contemporary music today, Vivid LIVE is set to feature shows by:

KRAFTWERK

BOBBY WOMACK

KARL HYDE

Each visit to Oz by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O has been bigger, better and stronger. From the Metro to the Enmore via the Hordern and now an outrageous, crazy and yet artistically triumphant show at the Opera House. Hot on the heels of her bandmate (Nick Zinner’s 41 Strings show earlier this year) comes O’s psycho opera- Stop The Virgens.

This was always going to be an experience. When you look at the calibre of musicians and songwriters, then throw in an amazing four piece orchestra in the Orava String Quartet and then a seven piece trombone section, this was no ordinary music concert. It was going to be an aural experience. 

Pictured: PVT.

From high atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge, we had the unique opportunity last night to join some 120 climbers as they helped (literally) light up celebrations for launch of Sydney's fourth annual VIVID Festival. Battling cold and blustery conditions, the climbers, covered in lights, were just one of the many ways the city was celebrating the launch of the festival.

After relocating to New York City shortly after the release of his bands critically acclaimed debut album, Craig Dermody of Scott & Charlene's Wedding (named after that neighbours episode) has resurfaced from self imposed exile with a bunch of new recordings and a planned tour.