The program for Sydney’s new summer pop-up venue Sunset Piazza has just exploded with an avalanche of music and comedy acts, topped by the one and only Ben Folds.
And the story behind how he got booked on the lineup is pretty bloody hilarious.
It’s a little known fact that Folds has been trapped here in Australia since the pandemic first hit, and one of the organisers from Sunset Piazza randomly saw him wandering down the streets of Sydney and hit him up to be involved.
He said yes, and as a result will be performing one of the most intimate shows of his career, in front of a mere 350 people for one night only.
It’s part of Sunset Piazza’s concert series in celebration of its opening, which will kick off later this month.
In addition to previously announced acts Alex The Astronaut, Allday, Sneaky Sound System, Peking Duk, Kwame, Ben Lee and JK-47, organisers have just added the likes of Kate Miller-Heidke, Josh Pyke, Eddie Perfect, G Flip, Pnau (DJ Set), Ziggy Ramo, Winston Surfshirt, Ruby Fields, All Our Exes Live In Texas and Pete Murray to proceedings.
There’s also a comedy gala feat Wil Anderson, Sam Taunton, Danielle Walker, Oliver Twist, Alex Jae and MC Justin Hamilton, with The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir with special guests Casey Donovan and Trevor Ashley and the award-winning musical theatre and cabaret ensemble Rewired: Musicals Reimagined on the Sunset Piazza rounding out the 2021 program.
Located at Cathedral Square opposite Hyde Park in the Sydney CBD, Sunset Piazza is part of the City of Sydney’s Al Fresco City project – an initiative aimed at transforming the city into an outdoor cultural hub.
You can head to the official website for more info and see dates below.
Sunset Piazza
28 January to 21 March
Tickets: www.sunsetpiazza.com.au
Thurs Feb 11
JK-47
Fri Feb 12
Piazza Comedy Gala Feat. The Umbilical Brothers, Akmal, Lizzy Hoo, Rebecca De Unamuno & MC: Tahir
Sat Feb 13
Sneaky Sound System
Sun Feb 14
The Best of Opera in the Sunset Piazza
Thurs Feb 18
The James Morrison Quartet with special guests William Barton, Andy Firth and Alison Terry
Fri Feb 19
Sydney Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble
Sat Feb 20
Heaps Gay: Live N Queer
Sun Feb 21
Ben Lee
Thurs Feb 25
Kate Miller-Heidke
Fri Feb 26
Sunset Piazza Comedy Gala feat Wil Anderson, Sam Taunton, Danielle Walker, Oliver Twist, Alex Jae and MC Justin Hamilton
Sat Feb 27
Pnau (DJ Set)
Sun Feb 28
Ben Folds
Thurs Mar 4
Sunset Piazza Community Concert
Fri Mar 5
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir with special guests Casey Donovan and Trevor Ashley
Sat Mar 6
Ruby Fields
Sun Mar 7
Pete Murray
Thurs Mar 11
Ziggy Ramo
Fri Mar 12
G Flip
Sat Mar 13
Winston Surfshirt
Sun Mar 14
Rewired: Musicals Reimagined on the Sunset Piazza by Hayes
Thurs Mar 18
Josh Pyke
Fri Mar 19
All Our Exes Live In Texas
Sun Mar 21
Eddie Perfect