Lockout laws and a global pandemic hit Sydney’s nightlife and live music scene hard. American Express made it their mission to Back The Night and put live music back on Sydney’s map again. The answer: a one-night-only festival where 17 acts played across six venues – both iconic and unexpected – where fans could jump from venue to venue and curate their own micro-festival. Headlined by an intimate sessions with Gang of Youths at Oxford Art Factory, the event also saw pop-up gigs by renowned local artists such as Boy & Bear, Alex Layhey and Odette.

The experience was brought to life, using bold graphics and impactful lighting to build energy and buzz for the event. Each venue was given a bespoke takeover, with playful branded details that were unexpected, celebratory and shareable – creating a moment the city’s waited so long for. Tying all the venues together? Branding elements that played on the notion that festival goers could ‘piece together’ their own night, alongside creative uses of American Express blue.

It was bold, dynamic, and full of energy, bringing live music – and nightlife – back to Sydney with a bang.