2007

Sydney Festival hit the national spotlight with their first ever Festival First Night. Taking over the CBD and surrounding areas, the party was headlined by none other than The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson. Meanwhile on other stages, there were performances from Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Paul Kelly, Sydney Youth Orchestra, Shooglenifty, Babylon Circus, Airvag, Pink Martini, Shuffle Club Big Band, Plump DJs, Spank Rock and many more.

2006 Sydney Festival was Fergus Linehan’s first year as Festival Director. The About An Hour program was introduced with theatre, music and dance in bite-sized performances, under 60 minutes in duration. The new program included works by Chunky Move (I Want to Dance Better at Parties), Teatr Piesn Kozla, The Tiger Lillies, Jo Strømgren Kompani, Rainpan 43, Saul Williams and Splinter Group.