The 1000 drones forming Fibonacci shells and nebulas above Darling Harbour are choreographed to an original orchestral score by Antony Partos, the Animal Kingdom composer whose mathematical artistry transforms Vivid Sydney’s largest drone show into a meditation on universal patterns.
Star-Bound runs 22 shows across 12 nights at Cockle Bay. It marks the drone spectacular’s longest season and its move from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour for the first time in Vivid’s 16-year history.
The patterns repeat across plants, animals and the solar system. Partos weaves stirring orchestral arrangements with pulsating electronica to mirror how the same mathematical sequences appear in seashells, galaxies and growing spirals throughout nature.
Sonar Music producer Sophie Haydon worked closely with Partos on the commission. “Ant is so incredibly talented, his scores are so beautifully crafted,” she said. “He never ceases to amaze us.”
Partos has won multiple AGSC Awards for Best Feature Film Score and an AFI Award for Animal Kingdom. The Sonar Music co-founder specialises in blending acoustic and electronic elements with exotic instruments, bringing cinematic depth to what was previously electronic-only soundscapes.
The 2024 drone show featured a soundtrack by DJ Peewee Ferris using pure electronic production. Partos’s 2026 composition incorporates traditional orchestral instruments alongside electronica, creating a more emotionally resonant soundscape that echoes his award-winning film work for Tanna and Sherpa.
The technical upgrade matches the artistic ambition. Star-Bound uses 1000 drones compared to 700 in last year’s Love Is in the Air show, delivering 43 percent more aerial capacity for larger formations.
The Fibonacci sequences in the choreography represent actual mathematical patterns found throughout nature, not decorative effects. When the drones shift into growing shells, they mirror the same spiral growth patterns that appear in nautilus shells and galaxy arms.
Vivid Sydney returns from 22 May to 13 June for its 16th year. The drone shows were cancelled in 2025 due to safety concerns, making this year’s expanded season particularly significant for the festival’s technical reputation.
The shows run every Sunday to Wednesday night at 7.30pm and 9.30pm, except for Sunday 7 June. Prime viewing spots at Cockle Bay fill quickly on weekends, particularly during the opening weekends from 24 May to 1 June.
Partos and Sonar Music represent Sydney’s creative economy at work on the global stage. The composer’s international film credits include Animal Kingdom’s award-winning soundtrack, and his involvement positions the drone show as serious artistic spectacle rather than tourist novelty.
The entire Vivid program runs 23 nights, but drone shows occur on only 11 selected nights. Visitors with limited time should plan early visits to secure both tickets to other Vivid events and good positions at Cockle Bay for the free drone performances.
Quick Facts
Sonar Music
A renowned music and sound studio based in Sydney, Australia, founded by Antony Partos and Andrew Lancaster in 2010. Sonar houses the nation’s most distinguished composers and sound designers, specializing in premium original composition and sound design across film, television, advertising and new media.
Vivid Sydney
Australia’s largest festival of lights, returning annually to transform Sydney Harbour and the CBD with large-scale light installations, projections, and immersive experiences. The 2026 edition (May 22–June 13) marks the 16th year and is the first to expand into daytime programming alongside nightly spectacles.
Antony Partos
One of Australia’s most awarded film and television composers, known for blending acoustic and electronic elements with world musical instruments. His work includes Oscar-nominated and AACTA-award winning scores for feature films, television dramas, and large-scale public spectacles. He is co-founder and director of Sonar Music.