As massive crowds congregated along Sydney Harbour to welcome the New Year, Matt Corby offered a poignant musical homage to the victims of the devastating Bondi Beach terror attack.
The Sydney-born singer-songwriter delivered a stirring rendition of INXS’s legendary anthem, “Never Tear Us Apart,” during the 2025 New Year’s Eve concert. The performance served as a solemn centerpiece for the evening, as attendees lit candles to commemorate the 15 individuals who lost their lives during a Hanukkah celebration.
At 11:00 PM local time, the festive atmosphere transitioned into a period of quiet reflection. Official celebrations were paused for a minute of silence, during which the Sydney Harbour Bridge was bathed in white light—a gesture symbolizing peace. In a display of solidarity with the Jewish community, a menorah was projected onto the bridge’s iconic pylons.
“Never Tear Us Apart” remains a cornerstone of the Australian musical canon. Originally released in 1988 as a standout single from the multi-platinum album Kick, the track eventually provided the title for the 2014 biopic chronicling the rise of INXS and the tragic life of frontman Michael Hutchence. The miniseries sparked a massive resurgence of interest in the band, which has since retired from active touring. Earlier this year, the song was further immortalized when it secured the top spot on Triple J’s inaugural “Hottest 100 of Australian Songs” poll.
In the days leading up to the celebration, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns encouraged the public to remain resilient in the face of the “horrendous criminal terrorist event” at Bondi. He called for a spirit of defiance, urging citizens to proceed with their holiday plans and celebrate the arrival of the New Year together.
Reflecting the gravity of the situation, the evening saw a heightened security presence, with more than 2,500 police officers stationed throughout the city. John Graham, the State Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, echoed the Premier’s sentiments, remarking, “Gathering to celebrate in unity is the ultimate act of defiance against the events we witnessed at Bondi Beach.”
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that more than 4.6 million viewers tuned in for the New Year’s Eve special. The star-studded lineup featured performances by Melanie C, The Cat Empire, Peach PRC, Marcia Hines, Casey Donovan, and Jem Cassar-Daley, among others.
Matt Corby, who now resides in the NSW Northern Rivers region, first achieved major commercial success with his 10-time platinum single “Brother.” His 2023 studio effort, Everything’s Fine, marked his third consecutive top-10 debut on the ARIA charts and garnered “Album of the Year” nominations at both the J Awards and the ARIAs. Fans are currently anticipating his follow-up project, Tragic Magic, scheduled for release on March 6 via Island Records/Universal Music.
