David Bowie, Prince & Gene Wilder will take centre-stage this New Year’s Eve (NYE), with their songs inspiring never-before-seen fireworks effects over Sydney Harbour.
In a tribute to 3 of the entertainment legends who passed away this year, spectacular new firework designs will shower from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, rain from barges on the harbour & explode in a space odyssey above the city.
“This year, sadly, saw the loss of many music & entertainment legends around the world. Celebrating their music as part of the Sydney NYE2016 – ‘Welcome To SydNYE’ fireworks displays is an opportunity to reflect on the year that has been & celebrate what the future holds” Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said.
“I am sure we will all be starstruck by the amazing firework effects this NYE”
Among the wonderful displays will be spectacular new designs inspired by 3 artists lost to us in 2016.
“Sydney is especially significant for David Bowie, who called Elizabeth Bay home for a decade from the early 80’s, filming music videos & recording an album here”
“Prince performed in Australia many times & his Sydney Opera House concert was one of his last & I know children and adults everywhere will delight in the colourful Willy Wonka moment during the Midnight Fireworks”
Sydney NYE Fireworks Director, Fortunato Foti, said the Sydney NYE2016 – ‘Welcome To SydNYE’ soundtrack had inspired never-before-seen firework formations this year.
“We are always evolving the effects and coming up with new techniques & this year, we were really excited by the music soundtrack & how we were able to bring it to life visually” Mister Foti said.
“Over the past 20 years we have used hundreds of different shapes and designs & this year, we will be adding to that. It is going to be a real buzz seeing these shine over Sydney for the 1st time”
Each year, the fireworks displays start with the music soundtrack. It is compiled by Sydney NYE Soundtrack Producer, Alex Gooden, & completed by early September to allow for the complex technical & design process.
A crowd of 1 million spectators is expected to gather along the Sydney Harbour foreshore to watch the fireworks spectacular while an estimated global audience of 1 billion will see broadcasts of the fireworks.
For the 1st time, the Sydney NYE fireworks will be live streamed on Facebook, reaching a global audience of more than 10 million Facebook followers.
The City Of Sydney has brought together broadcast partner, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) & peak tourism bodies, Tourism Australia & Destination New South Wales (NSW) to live stream the world’s most famous fireworks show.
“Sydney NYE s one of the biggest annual celebrations in the world. By making the most of digital technology that is available, for the 1st time this year, we can put the Sydney NYE fireworks show in the palm of people’s hands around the world – right as it happens” the Lord Mayor said.
“Our world famous Sydney NYE is one of the world’s biggest NYE celebrations that generates more than AUD$130 million annually for the NSW economy”
“This is an opportunity to further showcase Sydney to the world as we bring the Harbour to life like never before”
Sydney’s world-class events are a major drawcard for overseas visitors with statistics showing half those attending the Sydney NYE2015 – ‘City Of Colour’ had travelled from the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Germany & other parts of Europe.
Well over a million people attended the Sydney NYE celebrations & according to leading research analysts Stollznow, more than 46% travelled from overseas specifically to attend the event.
The Sydney NYE2016 – ‘Welcome To SydNYE’ celebrations include:
6pm – Aerial displays above Sydney Harbour by flying ace Matt Hall
8:30pm – Start of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
8:38pm – Welcome To Country – ‘Always Walking On Aboriginal Country’ ceremony
9pm – Family Fireworks
9:15pm – Harbour Of Light Parade
Midnight – Main Fireworks Display
Audiences can watch the live stream of the Welcome To Country, the 9pm Familt Fireworks & the Midnight Fireworks on sydneynewyearseve.com, the 1-stop shop for planning your night on the harbour, at home or across the globe.
The Sydney NYE2016 – ‘Welcome To SydNYE’ spectacular will be broadcast in high definition on ABC Television (TV) & ABC iview with the fireworks also streamed live on ABC TV Facebook.
Sydneysiders can tune into 104.1 2DayFM for the exclusive fireworks soundtrack at 9pm & Midnight.
Follow the event on Twitter, Instagram (#SydNYE) & Facebook (@cityofsydney) for up-to-date information.
Media Release: City Of Sydney
Sydney Spectaculars 