Meet the student composer behind a major Vivid Sydney light display
Bailey Pickles.聽Image credit: Jess Gleeson
鈥淚t's completely mind boggling to be honest,鈥� shares Bailey about the opportunity to compose for .聽Millions are expected to flock to Sydney Harbour over Vivid's 23-night run, with the festival attracting a record breaking 3.48 million visitors in 2023.
鈥淚 love Vivid, and used to go every year as a kid so the fact that they asked me to write the music this year is mind blowing.鈥�
Bailey was approached two months ago with the opportunity to create a 10-minute looping composition to soundtrack .
The major installation will light up the city skyline with kaleidoscopic colour and sophisticated lighting design, connecting iconic locations including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Circular Quay and CBD.聽Visitors will be able to listen to the soundtrack live through the聽听补辫辫.听
Vivid's 2024 theme, 'Humanity', inspired Bailey to create a work that would bring people together. The drive to connect also extends to his creative process, with Bailey enlisting the talents of his peers, violinist Hugo Hui and guitarist Ben Swissa, to enhance the richness of the composition and share in the unique experience.聽聽The result is a work that melds a variety of genres; Cinematic, Rock, Pop, Classical.聽聽
鈥淭here鈥檚 something for everyone,鈥� Bailey explains, 鈥渁nd it鈥檚 music you can dance to!鈥�
I think it鈥檚 important that people can come together and celebrate such a beautiful and large-scale event, the music needs to be equally beautiful, big, and upbeat.
From Rising Stars to striking a chord聽
Bailey鈥檚 journey at the Conservatorium began at a young age, when his aptitude for music making saw him accepted into the Con鈥檚 program at 10 years old. Since then, he鈥檚 received training and聽mentorship from teachers including聽Alexandra Vinokurov, Kirill Monorosi, Henrique Dib and Carl Vine. 聽
鈥淎ll of my teachers have had a significant influence on the music I write today,鈥� he reflects.
Now a third-year Bachelor of Music (Composition) student, Bailey is balancing his degree with a burgeoning music career and a聽whirlwind of creative projects. In addition to his studies, Bailey juggles , collaborations with artists like James Bay, Becky Hill and OneFour, and creating content for his聽audience of over 1.3 million 蹿辞濒濒辞飞别谤蝉.听
As an in-demand musican with a blossoming career, where does Bailey see himself heading after university?
鈥淲riting the music for Vivid has made me realise just how much I loved writing film music,鈥� he muses. 鈥淚 would love to write the music for a full-scale Hollywood film one day.鈥�
In the meantime, Bailey is focused on releasing his own music and developing his reputation as an artist. His biggest priority, however, is maintaining connections with friends who inspire him.
鈥淎s long as I keep a calendar to stay organised and make sure I leave plenty of time for hanging out with friends, I鈥檒l be happy,鈥� says Bailey on how he stays grounded and motivated.聽
鈥淭hat鈥檚 actually why I invited some of my best friends to play on this track.鈥� he shares. 鈥淚 want them to share this experience too.鈥�
Experience at Circular Quay and The Rocks as part of Vivid Sydney, 6pm-11pm every evening from 24 May 鈥� 15 June 2024.
Hero image: Destination NSW