Avant-garde popstar, disco queen and all-around icon Grace Jones is set to descend upon Sydney for an exclusive, one-night-only performance this February.
The former fashion model will return to Australia for the first time in nearly a decade for a debut show at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, a stage nearly as iconic as the disco queen herself.
Emerging from the eclectic underground of 1970s New York and Paris, Jones ascended to Studio 54 royalty with era-defining disco tracks including “La Vie en Rose” and I Need a Man”. Her later 80s tracks fused R&B, new wave and reggae, massively influencing global stars that would come after her, from Rihanna to Massive Attack.
The legendary musician was not only the muse of French illustrator-photographer Jean-Paul Goude and artist Andy Warhol, but she also shaped the visions of designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Issey Miyake, and Guy Bourdin.
Regarded as a queer trailblazer, Jones reshaped pop culture and fashion with her strikingly androgynous look and fearless self-expression. Her 2022 guest appearance on Beyoncé’s blockbuster record, Renaissance, underscored the reach of her legacy, one that spans decades and still shapes the sound and style of today.
She’ll return to Sydney for the first time since 2018, kicking off her Australian tour at the Opera House before taking her dazzling live show to Melbourne Palace Foreshore, Brisbane on the Banks and finally to Adelaide’s iconic open-air festival, WOMADelaide.
What will her Sydney Opera House show be like?
First thing to know about a Grace Jones show is it starts when the lady is ready.
Last time I saw Grace Jones was in Newtown. We arrived at 8. She went on stage around midnight.
That said, she was brilliant in her own way. You really felt the presence.
This time she will kick off at 6:15pm with special guests, dance-electronic duo, The Illustrious Blacks. Expect an electrifying, high-energy fusion of DJing and live vocals from this couple, who are known as Afro-Electro-Disco-Space-Punks (the perfect opener to a night of avant-garde creativity and expression from Jones herself).
There’s no doubt the 6000-capacity Forecourt will ignite under Grace Jones’ electrifying energy. Expect an unforgettable evening of glamour, boundary-pushing art and cabaret-style theatrics in what will undoubtedly be a stunning visual performance.
The star is likely to showcase her career-spanning discography through her setlist, playing classics like “La Vie en rose” and “I Need a Man”, as well as her later work. Between tracks, she’ll likely interact with the audience, known for her commanding and talkative sets and her ability to connect with emotional depth.
How can I get tickets?
Tickets for Grace Jones at the Sydney Opera House cost $139.90 (plus an $8.95 booking fee). You can purchase them here.
The Sydney Opera House is the only official seller of tickets to this event, so make sure you buy yours directly through the Sydney Opera House website or box office.
See the full roster of artists coming to Sydney in 2026 here.
Grace Jones at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt
Where: Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: February 28 at 6pm.
Price: $139.90 (plus an $8.95 booking fee).
