- Sydney Festival ends on Sunday night – but it is still pulling rabbits out of the hat.
- This concert is both a tribute and a modern day activists playbook.
- Ursula Yovich is the perfect choice to sing Nina Simone.
Some artists don’t just perform the work of others – they live it. Ursula Yovich Sings Nina Simone, presented as part of the Sydney Festival in its dying hours, is one of those rare performances where the line between tribute and personal testimony is drawn.
What emerges is something richer, deeper and far more affecting than a greatest-hits homage: a concert that becomes a shared act of remembrance, resistance and emotional truth.
Nina Simone, the American pianist, singer, songwriter and civil rights activist, was a singular force in 20th-century music. Her work spanned classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B and pop, yet always sounded unmistakably her own. Fiercely political, emotionally raw and defiantly uncompromising, Simone built a devoted following that has only grown since her death more than 20 years ago.
Her songs remain rallying cries for today’s women.
Ursula Yovich is uniquely placed to take on this legacy. An acclaimed actor and singer, Yovich is known to many audiences from The Sapphires, Top End Wedding and the groundbreaking Barbara and the Camp Dogs, which she co-wrote and created.
Like Simone, Yovich is an artist who refuses to soften her edges. Her voice carries weight, history and intent — and in this concert, she channels the spirit at the heart of Simone’s music: defiance, deep feeling and emotional honesty.
From the outset, Yovich makes it clear this is not an impersonation. She does not attempt to mimic Simone’s phrasing or piano style. Instead, she draws a line of connection between their lives and values. She tells the audience she first heard Nina Simone at the age of 10 and has loved her music ever since. That early encounter becomes the foundation for a show that is both a tribute to a musical hero and a personal reflection on activism — Indigenous, Black and global — in our present moment.
The setlist includes many Simone favourites, delivered with power and purpose. Sinnerman is electrifying as an opener. Young, Gifted and Black lands as both celebration and call to action, its message as relevant now as ever.
Throughout the night, Yovich’s interpretations feel lived-in rather than nostalgic. Her message: These songs are not museum pieces.
Crucial to the success of the performance is Yovich’s long-standing four-man backing band. They are accomplished, responsive musicians who understand when to push and when to hold back. Their arrangements give Yovich room to stretch emotionally, building tension and release without ever overwhelming the vocals.
What ultimately elevates Ursula Yovich Sings Nina Simone is its emotional honesty. This is an intense, entertaining and deeply moving concert, but it is also something more: Yovich’s own story, told through Simone’s songs. The result is a performance that resonates, reminding us why Simone’s music still matters – and why artists like Yovich are essential voices in carrying that legacy forward.
The show is presented as part of the Sydney Festival at Walsh Bay’s Wharf 1, a fitting waterfront setting for such a commanding performance. Tickets and session details are available via the Sydney Festival website at www.sydneyfestival.org.au.
And if you’re looking to extend the evening, dinner afterwards at nearby Wharf 1 is highly recommended. With some of the best views of Sydney Harbour, it’s the perfect place to reflect and let the music linger a little longer.
Fast Facts
What:
Ursula Yovich Sings Nina Simone
Where:
Wharf 1 Theatre, Walsh Bay
11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay NSW 2000
Tickets until Sunday night:
Prices vary by performance, with tickets starting from approximately $45
(Bookings recommended — some sessions sell out)
Website:
Sydney Festival
www.sydneyfestival.org.au
