Sydney’s Hollywood Quarter precinct in Surry Hills was transformed into a haven for music lovers during the Great Southern Nights Gig Trail, which ran from 12pm on Saturday 5 April to 4am on Sunday 6 April 2025.
The Hollywood Quarter curated walk invited music lovers to embark on a free live music journey, as streetlights shonedown on performances at a range of nearby venues.
With each venue offering a unique blend of music and dining, participants were entertained every step of the way as they made their way to gigs at Ace Hotel Sydney, The Soda Factory, Alberto’s Lounge, The Burdekin, Golden Age Cinema & Bar, Hollywood Hotel, Hotel Harry, Butter, Surry Hills Hotel, and Paramount House Hotel.
A band featuring some of Sydney’s most renowned musicians played in the rich troubadour tradition along Foster Street, exploring multicultural genres and entertaining diners and passers-by. Sprinkled throughout the wider footprint of the Gig Trail were buskers of all ages and experience levels who had been given the opportunity to play to the crowd.
Music Curator Trevor Brown, drawing from his experiences playing in Italy, France, and Eastern Europe, said audiences could expect to find music in surprising places and to “get ready to explore the back alleys, nooks, and crannies of the Hollywood Precinct.”
The musicians around Foster and Commonwealth Streets played rich, cultural street music inspired by Europe, South America, and Africa. “Think Moroccan, New Orleans jazz, Haitian, French, Italian, African music blends. We mixed and matched with unexpected combinations, and some exciting musical processions,” said Brown.
In addition to the music gigs both inside and out, Hollywood Quarter offered some of the best dining experiences in the city, with al-fresco diners treated to prime-position performances by outdoor musicians. Food and drink options in the precinct ranged from casual bites and cocktail snacks to some of Sydney’s finest five-star dining.
