Across six weeks in November and December, Sydney’s Seymour Centre Courtyard will be turned into the best of playgrounds for some of the city’s best names in nu-jazz, neo-soul and R&B to demonstrate exactly how strong and beautiful this brand of artistry is.
As an evolution of the venue’s former, and beloved, Seymour Nights program, SEYMOUR SOUNDS makes its debut with a free program that spotlights compelling and innovative sounds, delivered by performers whose music talent is only matched by their charisma and unique style.
Featuring the talents of artists including SETWUN, ELLA HABER, ANIESZKA, YASMINA SADIKI, RIAH, FLUX STATE and more, the live music series is set to become a surefire staple of Sydney’s Spring/Summer calendar.
“This reimagining of our courtyard series celebrates those who live, work, play and create in our neighbourhood. Find new sounds, hang out with local artists, fans, friends, situational peeps, or just come as you are, and enjoy the music, as we build an exciting new space in our city. All whilst celebrating the simple joy of music. In my first year, I’m thrilled to be placing music at the heart of Seymour. Through Seymour Sounds, under the curation of John Troughton, we’re creating space for artists and audiences to explore and to gather and to fall in love with Seymour’s Sydney sounds” Joanne Kee, Artistic Director
SEYMOUR SOUNDS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
Seymour Centre Courtyard
City Road & Cleveland Street, Chippendale
LINEUP
Thursday 5 November SETWUN
Saturday 7 November ELLA HABER
Thursday 12 November AGUM
Saturday 14 November FLUX STATE
Thursday 19 November TAHKOE
Saturday 21 November ANIESZKA
Thursday 26 November RUBY JACKSON
Saturday 28 November MANFREDO LAMENT
Thursday 3 December YASMINA SADIKI
Saturday 5 December RIAH
Thursday 10 December HEY, LOVE
Saturday 12 December JEROME BLAZÉ
The energy of this unique music series is inviting and accessible, styled as an “outdoor living room” to maximise on intimate vibes, bringing the artist close with their audience each night. With Sydney’s Seymour Centre having a long-standing reputation as a haven for live performance and new work, as the University of Sydney’s multi-venue performing arts space, the evolution of a live music series in its Courtyard plays perfectly into the wider ethos of the area: community-first and community-driven.
SEYMOUR SOUNDS is just the first element of a wider push to welcome more artists and audiences to the venue, building upon a strong foundation of shows this year.
The first iteration of SEYMOUR SOUNDS is swinging big, welcoming a talented blend of names and musicianship to the fold…
SETWUN has curated a following in Australia and beyond across years spent developing a deep and rich sonic tapestry. His work as a musician, producer and performer has built a catalogue of music that blends contemporary jazz, soulful beats, deep house, groove, neo-soul and hip-hop. A dynamic solo performer and leader, with his live band The Soulstranauts, SETWUN is one of Australia’s hardest working and well-respected curators of sound.
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist ELLA HABER has built a reputation for pairing rich alternative soul and jazz arrangements with a powerful stage presence and voice. Her albums and projects speak to a deep love of the sonic traditions of jazz, soul and R&B, while her vision very much remains on innovation and stepping into creative territory all her own.
Sydney-based Ugandan pop-soul artist AGUM has a timeless voice and a stage presence that is instantly arresting. Toeing a line between vulnerability and raw strength, her sound evokes the spirit of genre legends like Nina Simone and Erykah Badu, while her performances are effortless and immersive. Carving out a space all her own within Sydney’s neo-soul scene, AGUM strides confidently into new territory with each release and each new stage she steps onto.
FLUX STATE are a hybrid electronic/acoustic group who have developed for themselves a strong local following, thanks to their expert approach to creating experimental and forward-thinking dance music. Emerging from the Inner West’s DIY underground scene, the group harnesses a unique and chemistry-fuelled sound that brings sheer musicality together with controlled electronic chaos – capping it off with their own signature flair.
Western Sydney’s TAHKOE has been making waves with his own blend of hip-hop, soul and R&B. The musician and producer, nominated in the “Next Best Thing” category at the 2024 FBi Radio SMAC Awards, has been a popular collaborator and member of the creative community; working with the likes of Sollyy, Cherry Rype and emjaysoul, to name a few. Layering soulful vocals over beats and arrangements that speak to his versatile sonic palette and bed of influences, TAHKOE is more than just an artist to watch: he is one of Sydney’s best emerging forces.
ANIESZKA brings her rich catalogue of R&B and soul music home, with the Australian/Mauritian artist having spent much of the last year continuing to grow her realm of impact not just in Australia, but abroad. With over 10 million streams to her name, not to mention widespread support for her music on triple j, BBC Radio, Capital XTRA, Colors and more, ANIESZKA has captivated audiences with ease. Her music is made to soothe, provide solace and love to those seeking it.
Quickly establishing herself as one of Australia’s most exciting voices, RUBY JACKSON has continued to elevate in 2026. The artist, songwriter and producer matches sonic sophistication with a vibrant stage charm. Her blend of soul and R&B feels effortless, while performances as a headliner and supporting the likes of Ngaiire, Morcheeba and more have further cemented RUBY JACKSON’s status as one of Sydney’s best.
Improvised jazz group MANFREDO LAMENT have cemented their place within Sydney’s underground scene as leaders of a new generation of innovative jazz players. Led by Kurt Lam and Gabriel Haslam, the collective boasts 30+ members on a rotating lineup, with each of their shows featuring a mix of local and interstate musicians from around the country, coming together with a shared love of collaboration and community.
Rising star YASMINA SADIKI has been capturing attention within Sydney’s underground for her beautiful blend of alt-jazz and neo-soul. Her music, capturing stories of womanhood, love and philosophies, is driven by a natural curiosity and contemplative nature. Drawing from her own life, YASMINA SADIKI has emerged as a true visionary, her shows are cinematic and moving experiences that are one-of-a-kind.
Hailing from Sydney’s southwest, R&B singer-songwriter RIAH has shaped her sound from her multi-cultural heritage and deep love for ‘90s R&B. Of Tongan, Fijian, Italian and Aboriginal (Kamilaroi) descent, RIAH made waves early off the back of winning Triple J Unearthed’s Indigenous High Initiative in 2024. Since then, she has supported the likes of The Kid LAROI, Electric Fields, BARKAA and more, while continuing to release music that is engaging and soulful, in the same vein as SZA, H.E.R and Aaliyah.
Five-piece live instrumental collective HEY, LOVE blends jazz, soul and hip-hop together with warm melodies and enticing grooves. Drawing from shared creative inspiration and the dedication to unique sonic expression, HEY, LOVE has thrived on offering the room to experiment and reshape music in real time, making each live show completely unique.
JEROME BLAZÉ generates soundscapes that feel completely unique and expansive, with the artist and producer leaning into elements of electronic, trip-hop, soul and neo-classical music to bring his signature palette to life. With comparisons to Moby, Air and Rotary Connection, his music is finely-crafted and meticulously curated; offering his audiences a one of a kind experience.
