A black woman wearing a striking red butterfly mask adorned with white dots, set against a dark, textured outfit with a high collar.

Grace Jones with special guests The Illustrious Blacks

  • Contemporary Music
  • Forecourt

Disco queen, avant-garde pop star and fashion icon brings a career-spanning set to the Forecourt

A singular icon whose fearless style and avant-garde sound revolutionised the possibilities of fashion and music, Grace Jones has reigned supreme as a pop diva, fashion queen and high priestess of cool ever since her emergence on the New York and Paris scenes in the 1970s. Now, for the first time in almost a decade, the legendary artist returns to Australia for her debut performance at the Sydney Opera House, playing a spectacular, career-spanning show on the Forecourt for one night only.

A former fashion model turned pioneering pop artist, the Jamaican-born Jones broke through as one of the stars of the late ’70s Studio 54 scene, scoring such disco smashes as “La Vie en rose” and “I Need a Man” and producing groundbreaking visual work with collaborator Jean-Paul Goude. In the 1980s, she fused R&B, reggae and new wave on a string of enduring dance-pop classics – among them “Warm Leatherette”, “Pull Up to the Bumper” and “Slave To The Rhythm” – that would influence everyone from Rihanna to Massive Attack, while redefining gender image with her boldly androgynous visual presentation. In 2022, Jones was featured on Beyoncé’s blockbuster record Renaissance, proving her style and influence transcends generations.

Renowned for her visually spectacular live performances, Grace Jones is a pop genius, a style iconoclast, a queer icon and a true one of one. Don’t miss this very special live show. One night only.

Photography credit: Andrea Klarin

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Event details

You dont get to stay famous for long unless youre always switching. Grace Jones is an example of this.

Andy Warhol

The Illustrious Blacks

With their ethereal vocals and otherworldly sound, Monstah Black and Manchildblack – collectively known as The Illustrious Blacks – are a New York duo with roots somewhere in the outer cosmos. Their irresistibly glam cocktail of electro, disco, punk and Afro-futurism embraces everything from future funk to hypnotic house and synth pop. 

Two glamorous black individuals wear striking black and white outfits and chunky chains, large sunglasses, and long, pointed gold nails.

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Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Forecourt

Set below the famous white sails the Forecourt is located at the base of the Monumental Steps, between the Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

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