Check out our picks for New Year's in the harbour city.
Another year is about to wrap up and, as always, that's the cue for a host of international and local acts to congregate in Sydney for a huge 48-hour party block. From clubs to festivals to boats, there's plenty to choose from this New Year's.
After rumoured venue troubles and a recent relocation for their 15th birthday, Sydney institution Mad Racket returns to their long-term home, the Marrickville Recreation Centre, for a NYE show with Detroit mainstay Big Strick, who makes his Australian debut alongside the party's residents and guest Claire Morgan. Moving a bit closer to the city, Border Community boss James Holden will be playing an extended set at the Abercrombie Hotel for their usual Strange Fruit night which also sees local favourites Phil Smart and Trinity joining the lineup.
If you're looking to get right into the midst of the CBD action, pop up to The Ivy to catch New York legend Danny Tenaglia headlining Lost & Found with retro house purveyors Bicep and Swiss producer Cyril Hahn. For the best views of the harbour, the MCA is about as good as you'll get and will once again be the spot for Fact's NYE Mobilee Rooftop Session with label regulars Ray Okpara and Miss Jools playing until the early hours.
For those keen to keep the celebrations going, the annual Spice Afloat cruise will be boarding down at Star City Wharf at 4 AM on January 1st, ready to set sail around Sydney Harbour with Audiojack and Lovebirds soundtracking the first sunrise of 2014 with support from the club's residents Murat Kilic, Robbie Lowe and Softwar. The boat returns to shore at 10 AM in time for a slew of day parties kicking off at noon.
The seventh edition of Field Day, Fuzzy's NYD festival offering, will be back at The Domain with a wide variety of artists on the bill including Julio Bashmore, Dusky, Jacques Greene and Shadow Child. Space Ibiza also returns to The Greenwood Hotel in North Sydney for the fifth year in a row with Yousef, the Crazy P Soundsystem and Audiojack as well more than a dozen locals filling the venue's side rooms. Back up at The Ivy Pool, Lost Disco will be in session with DJ Koze, Wolf + Lamb and Soul Clap all featuring on the lineup which runs late into the night.
There are some more intimate options available on NYD, including S.A.S.H at the Abercrombie Hotel. While their headliner remains unannounced, house and techno will be provided by Kris Wadsworth and Trus'me along with a collection of the party's usual suspects. For the disco heads, Soul of Sydney will be hosting a gig at an undisclosed inner-city venue with Phil Hudson, Phil Toke and several other regulars.
A$AP Rocky, Hermitude, What So Not, Flume, Flight Facilities, Flux Pavilion, Kill The Noise, London Grammar, Chet Faker, Crystal Fighters, Julio Bashmore, Dusky, Shadow Child, Jacques Greene