Sydney NYE2023 – ‘Life’ – Sydney Spectaculars

Organiser/Event Creative Director: City Of Sydney
Midnight Fireworks Soundtrack Producer: THE SWEATS
Fireworks Provider: Foti International Fireworks
Light Show: ZZ (Ziggy Ziegler) Creative Australia
Pylon Projections: VANDAL
‘Calling Country’ Creative Directors: We Are Warriors
Charity Partner: National Breast Cancer Foundation
Radio Broadcaster: KIIS 106.5 (fireworks soundtracks), Australian Broadcasting Corporation (concert and audio descriptions), 2RPH (audio descriptions)
Television/Internet Broadcaster: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Television/Internet Broadcast Co-Hosts: Charlie Pickering & Zan Rowe
Roving Television/Internet Broadcast Co-Host: Concetta Caristo
Barges & Tugs Provider: Polaris Marine
Photographers: Matt Lambley, Daniel Tran, Morris McLennan, Keith McInnes & Damien Shaw
Visual Identity: Garbett Design

On 28 December 2022, the Australian Labor Party announced that if they form the New South Wales Government after the March 25 2023, New South Wales election, they will make all State Government-controlled vantage points that currently charge for Sydney New Year’s Eve free of charge. For more details on this debate, click here. The State election was held in March and while the Australian Labor Party did not receive a majority, they managed to receive confidence & supply from 3 Independent elected members to form Government. In early September, it was revealed that 96% of Sydney NYE vantage points will be free this year, compared to 57% in 2022, which saw the Australian Labor Party meet their election commitment for all but 1 vantage point: Dudley Page Reserve.

In the 96% of free vantage points are 2 which received charity exemptions from the NSW Government: Taronga Zoo & the Royal Botanic Gardens: Foundation & Friends Picnic. The two charities are the Taronga Conservation Society of Australia (Taronga Zoo) and the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation (Royal Botanic Gardens: Foundation & Friends Picnic).

The City Of Sydney in December 2022 & January 2023 held a combined fireworks-barge/tug tender process. However, when only Foti Fireworks applied with no barge/tug supplier, they cancelled the tender in February 2023 & appointed Foti Fireworks & Polaris Marine, the immediate previous suppliers of fireworks & barges/tugs respectively, as suppliers of those same products for just Sydney NYE2023.

Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks were manufactured from biodegradable paper & compounds that dissipate after use to minimise the environmental impact.

The City of Sydney also drew on improved technology, energy saving light-emitting diodes & low wattage lighting.

All COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have now been removed for this edition including proof of free ticket for City Of Sydney-managed vantage points.

The official charity partner, the National Breast Cancer Foundation,encouraged everyone to host a GLO PINK party & whether at a registered GLO PINK party or not, to wear pink-coloured clothing and to use pink lighting, particularly at 10pm! Party packs were given to those who managed to raise $57 by Friday the 22nd Of December.

Planning since October 2022, the event has more than 1,000 accredited personnel & around 250 volunteers. Event volunteers received a new Sydney NYE-themed crossbody belt/pouch for the 1st time for their work.

Setting up since 19 December, the fireworks displays require a crew of 55 and 18 shipping containers of equipment & will use 8.5 tonnes of pyrotechnics fired with up to 25,000 igniters using 18,000 cues including from 186 different positions on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which has 7,000 cues alone. The 6 barges, a kilometre apart, along the Harbour & the 4 pontoons in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Opera House will use 9,000 cues.

Sydney NYE2023 Fireworks Director, Fortunato Foti, loading pyrotechnics onto the barges. Photograph: Abril Felman/CIty Of Sydney

There will be more than 100,000 pyrotechnic effects plus more on the Harbour Bridge, 36,000 shooting ground-based effects & 13,500 aerial shells. In total, there are more than 58,000 individual firing shots, fired from 15 computers that require more than 25 kilometres of wires & cables. Up to 10 tugs will be required to move the barges & pontoons into place throughout the day & night so the highest fireworks can reach their height of 380 metres into the sky.

Among the very experienced staff of Foti International Fireworks in helping create this year’s fireworks are 15 Foti family members including Fortunato Foti, his 3 children as well as his nieces, nephews, brothers & cousins.

New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour is objectively one of the most spectacular annual events on the planet.

The event highlights the best qualities of this city – our glorious harbour, relaxed lifestyle & penchant to party.

The festivities bring together people of all ages from more than 200 cultures that make up our city as well as thousands of interstate & international visitors.

I encourage everyone keen to ring in the New Year in Sydney to plan ahead, get there early to avoid disappointment & enjoy everything our wonderful city has to offer.

We’ve been working with Foti International to create another spectacular show this year using pyrotechnic effects that will amaze & delight crowds.

While everyone is enjoying the festive season, the crew behind NYE is busy loading barges, buildings & the Harbour Bridge with thousands of fireworks and pyrotechnics.

They are working tirelessly for a night to remember with their incredible & innovative fireworks displays.

Our New Year’s Eve team and pyrotechnic experts have been working on tonight’s event for the past 15 months& it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

We’re expecting a million people around the foreshore tonight so if you’re coming into the city, early via public transport, pack food and water & wear good walking shoes. Check sydneynewyearseve.com to receive live updates.

If you’re staying at home, tune in to our fantastic broadcasts on ABC TV & KIIS FM.

Wherever you are & however you celebrate, there’s no doubt that Sydney will be at its best tonight as we count down to the dawning of a new year.
Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor

The Sydney Central Business District & North Sydney reached capacity at 6:58pm this year.

There is no official overall theme again this year. The title, Life, was chosen by Sydney Spectaculars as best fitting this year’s event.

Sydney NYE2023 Media Launch Photograph: City Of Sydney/Abril Felman

Fire Tug

Was to start at 7pm, never did.

After an absence of 4 editions (last appearance being NYE2018 – The Pulse Of Sydney), the Port Authority of New South Wales Fire Tug was to open the event by blasting tonnes of water into the skies, with the spray creating a striking image against the setting sun.

Smoking Ceremony

Starts at 7:30pm.

This edition will feature 3 vessels: Wirawi, Mari Nawi & the traditional Tribal Warrior, making it the biggest Smoking Ceremony yet in its 18-year history.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Light Show & Pylon Projections

Starts at 8pm.

This year, the Sydney Harbour Bridge light show & pylon projections will be themed to life. The light show will also be artificial intelligence (AI)-created for the 1st time with the help of Sydney NYE2023 Lighting Director, Ziggy Ziegler.

It will use 80,000 pixels of lights with new colours & over 200 new patterns, out of a total of 500.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge light show will also be turned off at 2am, unlike 1am in previous years.

This year is so exciting. It’s all about the sun this year. It’s based around revolving around for a whole year. It’s, it’s warmth. It’s colour. It’s, uh, the essence of life itself in Sydney.

We’re moving forward this year. Uh, it’s got a very warm feel as opposed to just a party feel, it really is about life this year.

Well apart from the thousands of kilometres of cable & lights that we always use, we are adding in a AI component this year so we are going to feed AI streams directly into the lights this year.

Literally, the entire world looks at Sydney first & it’s always just fun. Sydney is a fun city.
Ziggy Ziegler, Sydney NYE2023 Lighting Director

Some pylon projections are designed by R/GA (supported by VANDAL) using illustrations by Noongar artist, Janelle Burger. Janelle Burger’s illustrations for the pylons include iconic First Nations figures including Cathy Freeman, Anita Heiss, Adam Goodes, Patty Mills & BARKAA. They also featured during Calling Country.

When creating these images for the Sydney New Year’s Eve pylons, I tried to capture the essence & spirit of the First Nations peoples. To integrate the timeless connection to the land into the very fabric of the images, this is a tribute to warriors whose footsteps echoed through time, leaving an indelible mark on Australia’s history.
Janelle Burger, Noongar Artist

TV/Internet Broadcast

Starts at 8:30pm via Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), live from the Northern Broadwalk of the Sydney Opera House.

It will begin with the televised video version of Welcome To Country (more details below) followed by a preview of season 2 of Muster Dogs & a segment on how the Sydney NYE2023 fireworks displays are put together.

Bluey & Bingo Moment

Started at 8:49pm.

On the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections, the world’s favourite Heelers, Bluey and Bingo from iconic Australian preschool children’s animated television series, Bluey, appeared & showcased their ‘flossing’ & dancing skills for 2 minutes.

Welcome To Country

Starts at 8:54pm (Televised & message stick presentation only at 8:30pm)

A pylon projection show & televised video will begin of an Elder and child celebrating the past, present & future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people & will showcase how stories handed down from generation to generation keep Indigenous culture and identity alive. It concluded with the annual presentation of an Aboriginal message stick to the City Of Sydney Lord Mayor by an Elder as a gift to the people. It will acknowledge Sydney for recognising the lands & the First Peoples of the City.

Calling Country Live Performance – Buried Country

Starts at 8:57pm.

Featuring a performance by 3% of their debut single (below), the Calling Country Live Performance will also feature Woorabinda artist Jada Weazel, BAARKA, Mi-Kaisha & the Muggera dancers as well as a Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projection of an Elder from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Soundtrack:

Our People – 3% featuring The Presets

Calling Country Pylon Projection Artist Impressions Image: R/GA, We Are Warriors & City Of Sydney

We started working on Sydney New Year’s Eve back in 1997 & we quickly learnt what works best for a show of this size and scale.

We’ve reached a point where each year we walk away thinking ‘that was the best show we’ve ever done’ & really, that just spurs us on to do even better the following year.

This year, the displays will feature bright white, peach, lime, silver, gold, violet, yellow, burnt orange, pink & blue fireworks as well as the crowd favourite colour-changing fireworks & some other surprises.

We design the show to flow with the mood of the music, in essence aiming to make the fireworks appear like they’re dancing to the music.

We’ve meticulously planned the 9pm & Midnight Fireworks to perfectly synchronise with each show’s specially created soundtrack.
Fortunato Foti, Sydney NYE2023 Fireworks Director

Calling Country Fireworks – Buried Country

Video coming soon.

Started at 9pm.

From this edition, Calling Country‘s 8-minute fireworks display at 9pm will permanently replace 9pm’s 8-minute Family Fireworks for up to 3 editions, a minimum of 2 editions, after being a COVID-19 pandemic replacement since NYE2021.

Using fireworks with ‘surprise shapes’, it tells the story of Pemulwuy, one of the most famous Aboriginal resistance fighters in the colonial era & a Bidjigal man. The Calling Country projections will celebrate his spirit of resistance and resilience, revealing the warrior spirit within all First Nations people & reinforces the message that you are always on Country even in the big cities’ urban landscapes. There will also be pyrotechnic effects with new pastel & neon colours.

The soundtrack of the Calling Country Fireworks are by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Award winner, Grammy nominee & Bunuba musician, 18YOMAN (Vincent Goodyear) & rapper Nooky. Their fireworks soundtrack brings an anthemic hip hop sound to the Harbour with elements of traditional First Nations audio weaved throughout.

At the end of the year we’ve had, we want to let our people know they’re loved, they’re seen & they’re heard. That they are Warriors. It’s time to reflect on & awaken the stories of this country that have been buried by the history we didn’t write.

We’re going to share stories of great warriors like Pemulwuy & warriors of the past, present and today. We are going all out-projecting images onto the Harbour Bridge putting Blak excellence on full display for the world to see.

From the visuals to the music, we pursued to reflect what a calling to country is. We are calling to our old people for strength in this moment & to also celebrate their achievements and the knowledge they have passed down. I hope to create a memorable event for everyone to take part in. This platform allows us to share our truth, our stories, our voice with the world.
Nooky, ‘We Are Warriors’ Founder & Creative Director

This year’s talented artists have created music, visual art & performances that both champion Indigenous culture and storytelling & highlight the challenges and resilience of both young & old First Nations peoples.
Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor

‘Happy New Year’ Concert

Started at 9:15pm.

It was also broadcast on local ABC Radio nationwide so people down on the Harbour (702 AM) saw the Sydney Harbour Bridge light show synced to the music.

*Featured the 15-piece NYE house band (credits below)

NYE house band (plus brass band & backing singers):

Drums: Brendan Tan
Bass: Adam Ventura
Guitarists: Kat Alaha & Timmy Temple
Keys: David Allen
Strings: Anna de Silva-Chen, Jasmine Barrack & Aisha Goodman & Hannah Ovlakov

I’m incredibly excited to be taking part in the ABC’s New Year’s Eve broadcast. New Year’s Eve is such a special time of year & it is a great honour to be welcoming in 2024 in Australia. I’m so happy to be performing alongside some of Australia’s greatest talent – whether you’re at the concert in person or watching at home on television, it will be night to remember.
Harry Connick Jr.

NYE is one of our favourite nights of the year! We love working with our partners City of Sydney on our show-stopping NYE broadcast. Always a night to remember, we can’t wait to celebrate with people all around the world showcasing a wonderful night of Australian music, entertainment & of course, fireworks.
Kath Earle, ABC Arts, Music & Events Head

Pink Moment

Starts at 10:01pm.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge & the Sydney Harbour Lights boats will turned pink for 3.5 minutes to raise awareness for the official Sydney NYE2023 charity partner, the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation is thrilled to be the official charity partner of the City of Sydney’s 2023 Sydney New Year’s Eve.

We are excited to see Sydney light up pink to support the work of the foundation – funding world-class research towards our vision of 0 deaths from breast cancer.

We hope all Australians can join us to GLO PINK this New Year’s Eve to support the 57 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer each & every day. It’s thanks to partnerships like this & the support of the Australian public that we can continue to fund research that will change the future for all those diagnosed with breast cancer.
Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz, National Breast Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Officer

Sydney Opera House 50th Anniversary Moment

Starts at 11pm.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Projection Renders Image: VANDAL/City Of Sydney

An 8-minute Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projection show which will conclude with new AI-created animated segment of doughnuts, balloons, flowers, galaxies & kaleidoscopes with help from Sydney NYE Harbour Bridge Pylon Projection Designers, VANDAL.

You can see a list of the 42 Sydney Opera House photos & films to feature during the Moment here: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/sydney-harbour-bridge-new-years-eve-pylon-projection

It will be the 1st time that artificial intelligence has been apart of the artworks. Really fun things like balloons & doughnuts & galaxies & kaleidoscopes.

New Year’s Eve is special because there really is the experts in every area from fireworks to lighting to event planning to of course, our artwork & it’s really great to have a collaboration for something that’s actually a celebration of Sydney.
Tracey Taylor, VANDAL Experiential Executive Producer

Midnight Fireworks

The Midnight Fireworks featured silver, gold & white pyrotechnics to commemorate the Sydney Opera House’s 50th Anniversary & other ‘surprise shapes’. Can you spot them?

Soundtrack

The Midnight Fireworks soundtrack took roughly 2 months to compose, record and produce:

NYE (Again) – THE SWEATS
Tiny Sparks – THE SWEATS
One More Revolution – THE SWEATS

The soundtrack draws on house and bass music influences, hyper-pop, drum and bass & old school electronica in tandem with bombastic brass sections and lush choral moments.

It took roughly 2 months to compose, record and produce the soundtrack which comprises 3 individual pieces titled NYE (Again), Tiny Sparks & One More Revolution, that slot together like a DJ mix to create a single, seamless 12-minute track.

Pulling it together was quite the production that involved lead vocals by Royston Esq, 9 children yelling, 33 choristers singing, several backing vocalists & various mixing and mastering engineers.

Writing music for an event of this scale has been an incredible honour & it’s a great privilege to share it with the world.
THE SWEATS

Official Midnight Fireworks Soundtrack Credits (Source: THE SWEATS)

Music, Lyrics & Production: THE SWEATS
Executive Producer & Management: Kurt Luthy
Lead & Backing Vocals: Royston Esq.
Backing Vocals: Michael Hillyard
Spoken Word: City of Sydney Staff
Kids: Children of City of Sydney Staff
Choral Direction: Tanya Sparke & THE SWEATS
Choirs: Mouthtrap, Sing City & Another Roadside Attraction
Recording Engineer: Yianni Adams
Mixing Engineer: Steven Schram
Mastering Engineer: Steve Smart
Special thanks to Liza Bahamondes, Jamie Dawson & City of Sydney

With more than 1 million spectators around the Sydney Harbour foreshore & many millions watching around the world, we are the custodians of the show & our aim is to make it bigger and better each year.

We put everything into creating our work as we want to give people a reason to say ‘That was the best fireworks show ever!’.

We’ve put more than 4,000 hours into designing, staging & launching this year’s display.

The beauty of fireworks is that they are accessible for people everywhere – whether from the east, west, north or south, as long as you can look up & see the sky, you’ll be able to have a front row seat for the show.

If people leave the show with a smile on their face, excitement & a renewed sense of optimism for the year ahead, then we consider our job done.
Fortunato Foti, Foti International Fireworks Director

Green Report 2023-24

The Sydney New Year’s Eve event will be included in the scope of greenhouse gas emissions measured & offset by the City of Sydney as part of its annual assessment to remain carbon neutral.

It’s not hard to see why we’re the best in the world at what we do.

Tonight, we showcased the best of Sydney’s creative talents, putting on a show that has become one of the biggest public events in the world.

I don’t think there’s a better place in the world to welcome the start of a new year than Sydney.

What a stunning evening that was. Every year we try to do something bigger and better than the year before & I think as we kick off 2024, many of us will agree this was a truly spellbinding night that will hopefully kick off a safe, peaceful year ahead.

It is with immense pride that Sydney leads the world’s New Year’s Eve celebrations as one of the first countries to bring in the New Year. Last night’s event really demonstrated why the Sydney celebrations are heralded as one of, if not the best New Year’s parties on the planet.

The fireworks, projections, music & live performances told the story, not just of our remarkable city but also of our remarkable people, as the City showcased an exciting, inclusive & inspirational event.

I’d like to extend a warm thank you to all those involved, from our event organisers to the clean-up crews, everyone who worked tirelessly once again to make this event a wonderful success.

We hope last night’s celebration was a joyous occasion for all, bringing a spirit of optimism & community to the new year. I’d like to wish everyone a safe, peaceful & happy 2024.
Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor