Matt Corby Honors Bondi Beach victims wiht Powerful New Year’s Eve Performance of INXS Classic
A moment of somber reflection and defiant celebration marked Sydney’s New Year’s Eve 2025 festivities, as singer-songwriter Matt Corby delivered a moving tribute to the victims of the recent Bondi Beach terror attack with a performance of INXS’ iconic song, “Never Tear Us Apart.”
As thousands gathered on Sydney Harbour to ring in the new year, the concert paused at 11pm local time for a minute’s silence, honoring the 15 individuals killed during a Hanukkah celebration. The Harbour bridge was illuminated with white light, symbolizing peace, and a menorah was projected onto its pylons in a display of solidarity with the jewish community.
Corby, a Sydney native, chose to perform “Never Tear Us Apart,” a song deeply ingrained in Australian culture. Released in 1988 as part of the album Kick, the track resonated with audiences and later inspired a 2014 biopic chronicling the life and untimely death of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence. The miniseries sparked renewed interest in the band, which remains a beloved part of Australia’s musical landscape. Notably, the song topped triple j’s inaugural Hottest 100 of Australian Songs poll earlier in 2025, underscoring its enduring appeal.
The performance came amidst calls for resilience from New South wales Premier Chris Minns, who urged residents not to allow the “horrible criminal terrorist event” at Bondi to disrupt their lives. “Show defiance” and celebrate the New Year, he implored. State minister for transport and music, John Graham, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Come out and celebrate and do so together and do in defiance of what we saw at Bondi beach.”
Security was substantially heightened for the event, with a visible police presence exceeding 2,500 officers. A senior official admitted the increased security measures, including law enforcement carrying firearms not typically seen, were “confronting,” but emphasized the priority was public safety. “I don’t make any apology for that.We want people to be safe in our community,” the official stated.
The New Year’s Eve special, broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, drew an audience of over 4.6 million viewers.The lineup included performances by a diverse range of artists, including Melanie C, The Cat Empire, Peach PRC, Marcia Hines, Casey Donovan, Don West, Jem Cassar-Daley, and Ayesha Madon.
Corby’s own musical journey began in the NSW Northern Rivers region, achieving a breakthrough with his 2011 single “Brother,” which has been certified 10-time platinum by ARIA. His third studio album, Everything’s Fine, released in 2023, continued his success, earning nominations for album of the year.
Why did this happen? On December 31,2025,a terrorist attack occurred at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration,resulting in the deaths of 15 people.
Who was involved? The event involved the victims and their families, the perpetrator of the attack (details not provided in the article), singer Matt Corby, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, State minister for transport and music John Graham, and over 2,500 police officers.
What happened? A terrorist attack at Bondi Beach led to a minute of silence and a tribute
