It's been a long two years since Kimbra performed in Australia, but she'll be here this time next week â and playing a free, one-off gig in Sydney.
As the announcement came that she'd be making a flying visit to headline the Celebrate Darling Harbour 2016 concert on Sunday, December 11, the Grammy-winning New Zealand artist revealed she has some firsts in store for her one-hour set. "We have some new songs in the set, and I'll also have an Australian keyboardist Will Rimmington [from Billy Davis], who's new to the band," she says.
![Kimbra is returning to Australia for a free one-off show at the Celebrate Darling Harbour 2016 concert on Sunday, ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180106170809im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/1/k/7/z/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt1khf.png/1480662260213.jpg)
The new material will give insight into the sound of Kimbra's coming third album, which she's currently recording with John Congleton, the producer behind Goldfrapp and St Vincent.
Speaking from her base in New York, Kimbra says 2016 has been her best year yet since she rose to fame in 2011 with her debut album, Vows. "It's been an amazing year of absorbing experiences and writing a tonne of music. I also got to work with some of my greatest heroes like David Byrne, the Roots and Prince's band the Revolution. I can't wait to channel all the inspiration into my next record."
![Kimbra performing live in Las Vegas.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180106170809im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/1/k/7/a/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gt1khf.png/1480662260213.jpg)
Her Sydney visit is just a weekend, but Kimbra says she'll spend time in her favourite neighbourhoods, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills, browsing op shops and checking out restaurants.
"It would be fun to make time to go to the beach, but it's unfortunately too short a trip. I'll make sure to hit some of my favourite cafes, though."
In 2017, Kimbra says, she hopes to continue various altruistic projects she's been quietly pursuing. She made a return trip to Ethiopia last June to reunite with women she's been supporting through the organisation Tirzah. She's also lent support to PETA and projects for the homeless in New York City. While other famous 26-year-olds prefer to party hard, Kimbra is pondering her duty to society.
"I try to be aware of what's going on in the world and do what I can to use my voice," she says. "As an artist, I feel it's part of my call to be a voice for positive change."
Meanwhile, she's looking forward to leading Darling Harbour's noon-to-5pm free family celebrations to mark the completion of its three-year, $1.5 billion upgrades.
"It's been so long since we played in Sydney," she says. "I'm excited to play for Australians and especially in such a scenic setting. Australia is such an important place for me, and it always means a lot to get to play there."
Kimbra plays on Sunday, December 11, at 3.45pm at Tumbalong Park as part of the Celebrate Darling Harbour 2016 concert; free.