Vivid Sydney is a somewhat unwieldy festival. There’s so much going on, it can be hard to keep track (despite early warning through a Pedestrian leak yesterday). While you can hardly fail to notice the psychedelic lights illuminating the Opera House, timetabling the myriad of musical events, creative talks, outdoor exhibitions and special venues can be somewhat like playing goon-of-fortune – hard to find the happy medium between missing out and waking up under the hills hoist with no shoes and no eyebrows.

Vivid Live this year has been curated by Modular founder Stephen ‘Pav’ Pavlovic, and is as fresh and club-ready as last year’s was New York cool under Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson’s eclectic eye. Artists this year include 2manydjs, Architecture In Helsinki, The Avalanches DJs, Azari & Iii, Bat For Lashes, Chris Cunningham, Club Kooky, The Crystal Ark, Cut Copy, Dom, Hypnotic Brass, Ensemble, Leave Them All Behind, OFWGKTA, Sneaky Sunday, Sonny Rollins, Spiritualized: Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space, Tame Impala, Tom Kuntz, Wu Lyf, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Canyons, The Swiss, Beni, Van She, Flight Facilities, Softwar, Bamboo Musik, Changes and Bag Raiders. PHEW.

Pavlovic has definitely stamped his own special brand of party on Vivid this year, with six club nights to be held at the Opera House (including a rare Avalanches set), Bat for Lashes finally hitting Aussie shores, and all-around genius-man Chris Cunningham sharing his freak on stage (as well as a healthy smattering of Modular artists). This year is definitely about looking to the future, and punters would do well to sit up and pay attention – Pavlovic has a reputation for being right on the money with breaking musical trends.

Vivid LIVE runs from May 27th to June 5th at the Opera House, part of Vivid Sydney, May 27th to June 13th. For more info check out their website.