Matt Corby delivers emotional New Year’s Eve tribute to Sydney shooting victims

Corby's performance followed a moment of silence when the crowd lit candles and phone torches in memory of the killed

Australian singer-songwriter Matt Corby delivered a heartfelt performance during Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, honoring the victims of the recent Bondi Beach shooting as millions gathered to welcome 2026.

As tens of thousands of revelers lined Sydney Harbour, Corby took the stage for the city’s annual NYE concert, offering a poignant rendition of INXS’s classic “Never Tear Us Apart.”

The performance followed an official moment of silence, observed at 11 p.m., when attendees lit candles and phone torches in memory of the 15 people killed in the tragic December attack.

The tribute was part of a broader symbolic program before the midnight fireworks. Earlier in the evening, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was illuminated with white lights and a menorah projection to show solidarity with the Jewish community affected by the shooting, a gesture that reflected the city’s commitment to unity and remembrance.

Corby’s performance resonated deeply with the crowd and viewers at home, turning an otherwise celebratory event into a moment of reflection. “Never Tear Us Apart,” a song deeply ingrained in Australian musical culture, underscored the evening’s emotional tone as the city marked both loss and resilience.

The night’s program also included a spectacular fireworks display over the harbour, enhanced by heightened security and record police presence following the recent tragedy. Despite the sombre tribute, authorities reported largely peaceful celebrations, with most attendees praised for their behaviour as they marked the start of the New Year together.

Corby, a Sydney native whose own music has earned widespread acclaim, was joined by other performers in the televised NYE special, but his tribute stood out as a defining moment of the evening.