Art After Dark: Sydney’s Biennale Comes Alive With Music, Food and Night-Time Magic

Looking for a way to shake off the post-summer blues? The Biennale of Sydney has your autumn calendar sorted with world-class art, live music line-ups, one-off after-dark experiences, and delicious food offerings. Plus, NSW Wine Masterclasses will invite audiences to sip, learn, and discover, with complimentary tastings and insights from NSW winemakers.

Sydney’s leading contemporary art festival, which comes around every two years, returns to the hottest arts spots across the city. This year, the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station – now a thriving arts, cultural and community hub – will lead the Biennale’s Art After Dark program.

If you’re planning a trip to the Harbour City, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of the biennial event that puts Sydney on the international contemporary art map.

An immersive Friday night routine

Supporting this year’s festival theme, Rememory, Art After Dark transforms the exhibition space into an immersive experience with music and food Friday evenings from March 20 to June 5. Each weekly program sets its own tone, making it the ideal Friday night ritual during those autumn months.

The exhibition features new commissions from international artists like interdisciplinary painter, sculptor and performance artist Nikesha Breeze, alongside First Nations artist Nancy Yukuwal McDinny and local legends including Dennis Golding, Richard Bell and more. But the festival isn’t just for art lovers: there are also after-hours performances and delicious food to fuel your adventure.

Three chapters, three musical moods

The iconic industrial space hosts a mix of leading and emerging musicians – DJs, genre-defying experimental artists, and contemporary bands – from Australia and beyond. Expect to see three distinct creative chapters over the entirety of the music program, supported by guest music curators including artist-led not-for-profit Liquid Architecture, the Inner West Council and a yet-to-be-revealed third collaborator. 

On Friday March 20, Liquid Architecture kicks off the program with a rare live appearance from the celebrated Japanese avant-garde performer Tujiko Noriko. The Paris-based experimental-pop artist and film composer invites audiences into her dreamlike soundscapes of electronic lullabies. She’ll be joined by Sydney-based electro-acoustic musician Mara and with interstitial moments curated by FBI Radio host Peter Hollo.

Other highlights include Ruhail Qaisar, an experimental artist from Ladakh, India, whose electronic compositions reflect sociopolitical and environmental currents, and Sydney-based singer-songwriter Marcus Whale, who blurs pop, electronica and post-punk.

The third Friday of Art After Dark delivers a double bill of visionary First Nations musicians. Up first, Gomeroi guitarist Liam Keenan, who is known for exploring the experimental depths of improvised acoustic guitar feedback.

Yorta Yorta bassist and composer Allara follows with a performance that draws from a documentary project she first started in 2015 titled ngalnya dhadjowa (Beautiful Sunshine). This meta reflection through musical performance tells the artist’s story of searching for truth and belonging.

Stay tuned, too, for the rolling program of immersive experiences which are included alongside the exhibition and musical line-up as part of Art After Dark.

And delicious food, of course

And if dancing works up an appetite, you’ll be well covered. A rotating line-up of food options will pop up across the season, serving a changing mix of flavours and cuisines to dip into between dancefloor moments. Come hungry, follow your nose, and discover something new along the way. Plus, the NSW Wine Masterclasses invite audiences to sip, learn and discover, with complimentary tastings and insider insights from NSW winemakers — consider it your fast-track to sounding like a wine expert (no exam required).

If you thought autumn was Sydney’s sleepy season, think again: this international art festival is set to be a big one.

Broadsheet is a proud media partner of Biennale of Sydney.

Art After Dark runs from 6pm Friday evenings from March 20 to June 5 at White Bay Power Station. Tickets include entry to Biennale exhibition and can be booked at biennaleofsydney.art.