I found my musical inner dancing child on this Vivid Sydney Silent Disco Night Tour! A Silent Disco isn’t a new concept. It’s been popular since the 1990’s at outdoor parties and festivals, where partygoers wear headphones and continue to dance into the wee hours of the night without disturbing people in the neighbouring areas (and the wildlife!) Silent Discoers would have three channels on their headphones, each with different music playing so they could choose what they want to groove to.
Disco Loco have adapted this concept. Beginning outside the Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour, we were given comfortable headphones and told how to adjust the volume on them. After a brief explanation of how the night was going to run, our host John started the music, our headphones glowed blue, and a burst of Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk began our evening tour. Everyone had the same channel on, so the group of around thirty people immediately started moving in sync with each other. John was at the head of our tour, and we moved through the crowds of people like dancing pied piper followers. At some points it was tricky amongst the crowds of people to see John, but he always waited and made sure we all caught up and Sophie was at the back, so we didn’t feel like we would get lost. Perhaps John could carry a tall stick with a flashing disco ball on the top so we can spot him in a crowd!
This was the first time I had experienced a concurrent walk / dance and the pace was fairly brisk, but I soon found my own way, which was the point. Looking around, everyone appeared to have their individual dance moves going and more importantly, a smile on their faces.
John and the other Disco Loco host Sophie stopped us at certain points during the walk, pointing out some Sydney landmarks and tourist destinations around Darling Harbour. This would have been useful information for tourists. There were a couple of Vivid Sydney installations that we passed, a highlight being the Australian floral holographic light and laser display over Cockle Bay, by Hika Rakuyo. I expected to see more Vivid installations, but the overall vibrancy of Darling Harbour and the bustle of the King Street Wharf was enjoyable. There were fiery installations in Tumberlong Park near the beginning of the tour, and the Vivid Fire Kitchen along The Goods Line for those who wish to explore more of Vivid Sydney.
We played some fun trivia games throughout the night. John was an enthusiastic host, talking to us through our headphones and encouraging us to dance and sing aloud. (“Don’t stop me now!”) His outgoing manner put the group at ease, and I imagine that not too many people have seen a group of thirty in a public space sporadically belting out N Sync’s “Bye bye bye” into the night without hearing the song’s musical accompaniment or performing frenetic air guitar into the silence.
Being in a large group lessened the self-conscious aspect and allowed people to be free to let their inhibitions down. We even had another passer-by man join in and dance at the back of the group to “Greased Lightnin’” with us, flash mob style! This tour group was having fun, and I could see how a Silent Disco walking tour by Disco Loco would be an effective team bonding experience for a work social, or Christmas activity, a celebration such as a Hen’s Night or simply a unique date night.
The playlist was varied, from upbeat songs to classic slower songs such as Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and catered for people of all ages. With the addition of one more song, Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer”, this playlist would have been perfect! In our group, I saw a few kids singing along with their parents. The 90-minute walk flew by and included one stop along the way for anyone who needed to use the amenities or buy a drink.
The Vivid Sydney Night Tour was an unexpected workout—a sneaky workout—for people of average plus fitness. There were ramps on the tour, so people in wheelchairs could join this entertaining evening. Disco Loco also runs a Michael Jackson Theme Tour and The Craziest Silent Disco Tour. The Sydney Vivid Night Tour is on multiple nights until June 15th, 2024. Tickets are $37 or $32 for a group of four +
This is the place to be, where you will dance like no one’s watching…even though they are.
This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.
