New Annual: First Night Art Party
Friday 26 September 2025
55 days from now
5 - 9pm
4 hours
New Annual kicks off with a free night of music, movement and art on Laman Street, featuring high-energy pop sets from Haiku Hands, Kira Puru and Devaura, roving performances, and stunning art projections.
Haiku Hands are festival favourites for their wild choreography and chaotic live shows - praised as part Scissor Sisters, Azelia Banks, Bjork and Warhol by British Vogue. Their latest album, Pleasure Beast is the electro-pop-rap manifesto this side of Gorillaz, Dr. Dre, and The Presets that the world needs.
Fearless and disruptive, Kira Puru is back to remind us all why she is a pop icon for the modern age. She has earned a reputation for captivating crowds as a razor-sharp performer with one of Australia’s biggest voices and a personality to match - "..stadium-ready swagger." - Music Junkee.
DEVAURA has burst onto the scene with her powerful performances and whip smart lyrics, drawing on her background in both singing and rapping, DEVAURA has quickly gained recognition for her unique style and authentic storytelling and has been wowing folks at Laneway, Dark MOFO and more.
For one night only, Newcastle Art Gallery's façade become a canvas for shared storytelling. Celebrating new commissions by First Nations artists, this unique experience showcases projected animations co-created by Art Thinking with local children — lighting up the building with community, culture and creativity.
This is a street party you won’t want to miss!
Cost: Free
Drop-in event, no bookings necessary!
Sensory and content warning: First Night Art Party will contain loud music, flashing lights and large scale projections.
Wet weather: In the event of light rain, this event will proceed as planned. In the unlikely event of extreme weather, performances will be relocated to Newcastle City Hall.
Accessibility: Laman Street is wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets are available at Newcastle City Library.
Acknowledgements: NSW Government and Newcastle Art Gallery
Haiku Hands are festival favourites for their wild choreography and chaotic live shows - praised as part Scissor Sisters, Azelia Banks, Bjork and Warhol by British Vogue. Their latest album, Pleasure Beast is the electro-pop-rap manifesto this side of Gorillaz, Dr. Dre, and The Presets that the world needs.
Fearless and disruptive, Kira Puru is back to remind us all why she is a pop icon for the modern age. She has earned a reputation for captivating crowds as a razor-sharp performer with one of Australia’s biggest voices and a personality to match - "..stadium-ready swagger." - Music Junkee.
DEVAURA has burst onto the scene with her powerful performances and whip smart lyrics, drawing on her background in both singing and rapping, DEVAURA has quickly gained recognition for her unique style and authentic storytelling and has been wowing folks at Laneway, Dark MOFO and more.
For one night only, Newcastle Art Gallery's façade become a canvas for shared storytelling. Celebrating new commissions by First Nations artists, this unique experience showcases projected animations co-created by Art Thinking with local children — lighting up the building with community, culture and creativity.
This is a street party you won’t want to miss!
Cost: Free
Drop-in event, no bookings necessary!
Sensory and content warning: First Night Art Party will contain loud music, flashing lights and large scale projections.
Wet weather: In the event of light rain, this event will proceed as planned. In the unlikely event of extreme weather, performances will be relocated to Newcastle City Hall.
Accessibility: Laman Street is wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets are available at Newcastle City Library.
Acknowledgements: NSW Government and Newcastle Art Gallery
