Jamie Apps

Sydney Festival is an annual celebration of all of the wonderful things our art scene has to offer. Over the years it has become known for its off-beat theatre, cabaret and art experiences. This year though, with the help of world-renowned musical festival curator Chris Twite (Falls Music and Art Festival, Sydney Opera House), Sydney Festival is placing a greater emphasis on contemporary music. Speaking to Time Out, festival music curator Chris Twite explained how the team came to settle on a direction for the festival’s music program. “Myself and Olivia Ansell [Sydney Festival’s artistic director] share a vision for a Sydney that is vibrant, exciting and a place for new and emerging art. I think we’re achieving that vision with what we’re doing in the music program.” We go from the natural softness of Sydney’s environment to the harshness of brutalist architecture Included within their vision for Sydney Festival as a whole is a desire to help reinvigorate the city’s nightlife scene, a sector of the economy that has been ravaged by lockout laws and rolling lockdowns. “We are part of a coalition of promoters, parties, artists and organisations who are committed to making sure that Sydney remains a vibrant city. One of the big driving forces of the festival music program this year is definitely doing that by bringing art into interesting spaces,” Twite said excitedly. “One of the most interesting things a festival can do is create these special moments and special spaces for ar

After a difficult few years, we could all use a good laugh. So, we figured now would be the perfect time to round up the best of the best comedy events around Sydney. Without further ado, here are the hottest and funniest comedy rooms in town. Looking for a post-show drink? Sydney's best bars will keep you going, and grab a late night snack and one of our faves.

When most people think of professional wrestling, they think of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). What you might not know however is that Sydney is fast becoming a hotbed for wrestling, with a plethora of promotions and some of the world's best talent calling the Harbour City home. In fact, if you watch any of the major global wrestling promotions – be that WWE, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Impact Wrestling, or New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) – you are likely to see at least one or two Australians making their mark. In WWE, Australia is represented by the likes of Rhea Ripley from Adelaide, Indi Hartwell from Melbourne, Grayson Waller from Sydney and Xyonn Quinn from Brisbane. Across in AEW the green and gold flag is being flown by Toni Storm from the Gold Coast and Buddy Murphy from Melbourne. In Impact, Tenille Dashwood continues to pave the way for Australian wrestlers on a global stage. And over in Japan, the great southern land is represented in the NJPW by Jonah from Adelaide, Mikey Nicholls from Perth and Sydney's own Robbie Eagles. Shazza McKenzie and Robbie Eagles With such a wealth of Australian talent excelling on the global stage, you might be beginning to wonder just how this came to be. Well, for years, all of these talented individuals have been busting their butts putting on amazing wrestling spectacles in obscure community spaces and high school halls to small audiences of hardcore fans. However, over the past decade the Australian wrestling scene has been ev

Each week at Kelly's On King, a raft of Sydney comedians come together to test their comedy chops against each other in a competition format. Joke Off competitions run across a two-month period with a diverse lineup of comedians performing for their chance at a massive cash prize. Each week the audience votes for one comedian to head to the finals and the judges vote for another. Joke Off is an event you'll want to return to each and every week to see your favourites progress through the competitions as you cheer them along through laughter. In between competitions, Joke Off holds month-long showcases which bring back past winners and those deemed "the best of the best". So even on non-competition nights you'll find yourself cheering and laughing away. Check the Instagram page @jokeoffcomedy for weekly updates and lineups.

Hidden away in the heart of Newtown at the Mosh Pit, Rat Klub is a comedy night just waiting to explode in popularity. Each and every Monday night hosts Bea Barbeau-Scurla and Ryan Sim (up-and-coming comedians in their own right) bring together some of the best and funniest comedians Sydney has to offer for a night of boisterous laughter. Rat Klub features a new lineup with two stellar feature acts each week. It's not uncommon to see superstar comedians from the likes of Aaron Chen or Dave Hughes swinging by to stretch their legs and try out some new material. Alongside these superstars of comedy, Rat Klub also has also made a concerted effort to showcase new talent and support the community in general. Every month the event plays host to a newcomer/new material night where comics, new and old, try out something new. Then on the community front, the Rat Klub host selects a different charity each month where all tickets sales are then donated. Over the past six months, they’ve managed to raise over $900 for six different charities. Check out @ratklub_comedy on Instagram for updates.

Yeah the Girls Comedy is a weekly all-women's comedy night on Sundays showcasing some of the best performers across the country as well as some up-and-coming local acts. Comedy in recent times has become a much more egalitarian world for creative expression, and Yeah the Girls epitomises this shift. At this weekly comedy night audiences can expect to see Sydney’s best female performers, with a few guys sprinkled in, all drawing out rapturous belly laughs – what better way could there be to finish a weekend? Follow @ytgcomedy on Instagram for updates.

Kweens of Comedy is one of Sydney's best kept secrets, despite being Oxford Street's biggest and longest running comedy night. Every month, host AJ Lamarque curates a unique night of comedy celebrating all types of comedians and all forms of comedy. One of the city's most inclsuive comedy nights, Kweens of Comedy is a space for the entire community to feel welcomed, no matter their background, and for all to embrace the hilarious, weird and wonderful beast that is comedy. Want get a feel for AJ's vibe? Read this article he wrote for Time Out about finding your place and making friends in Sydney. Follow @kweensofcomedy on Instagram for updates. Having a laugh? Here's our guide to the best comedy nights in Sydney.

Every second Saturday night, the humble Staves Brewery in Glebe invites a keg-load of comedy heavy hitters into their laneway venue for a night of laughter. Over the course of six years Powerbomb Comedy has been booking exciting, diverse comedy lineups in a space which allows punters and comedians alike to mingle, discover their new favourite acts and laugh alongside each other. As youd expect from an event hosted at a local brewery, there's an extensive range of beers to enjoy throughout the night at Powerbomb. If you aren't a fan of the frothies, they offer a selection of wine and spirits to ensure everybody is well lubricated so the laughter flows freely. Past acts to perform at Powerbomb include Rhys Nicholson, Aaron Chen, Matt Okine and Becky Lucas. Meaning it comes as no surprise that Powerbomb regularly sells out ahead of time, so get in early to avoid missing out. Check the Instagram and Facebook pages for updates.

Every Monday night a mixture of Sydney biggest stars and the future of comedy join forces to blow the roof of the Hotel Harry in Surry Hills. We've heard this show described as a “riotous night out that feels like like Kings Cross of old”. Harry's Comedy offers table service all night so that you can really settle in and laugh out loud all night long. Just be sure to bring a thick skin to this show as the comedy can get quite provocative, rough and dare we say combative!