Melt Festival will once again burst out of Brisbane Powerhouse to transform the Queensland capital into an epicentre of queer art and culture this October-November.
There’s gold for everyone at the end of the Melt rainbow in 2024 – with music, theatre, visual art, parties, parades and more on the agenda.
Internationally-acclaimed Bidjara artist Christian Thompson AO will unveil a large-scale outdoor exhibition throughout Brisbane, including a new work set to be displayed on the facade of Brisbane Powerhouse. Through his works, Christian critiques dominant cultural narratives and highlights the complex identities of those considered as ‘other’.
Hans brings their dazzling ‘Disco Spektakular!’ to Melt – with comedy, music and dance and backed by The Ungrateful Bastards and The Lucky B*tches. It’ll be an unforgettable spectacle of sequins and entertainment.
Spencer Tunick will return for an art installation on the city’s iconic Story Bridge, featuring thousands of live nude figures in celebration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and Brisbane’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.
Defy gravity with ‘Club Broadway: A Wicked Halloween Ball’. It celebrates the magic of ‘Wicked’ and Halloween, with fabulous drag queens and star-studded performances.
Brisbane’s iconic Valley Pool is set to break out the astroturf dance floor for Colada Pool Party: Melt Edition. House and dance music, delicious drinks, and party vibes. . . Poolside.
'Scream Queen'
Enter Halloween Hall if you dare, as it transforms The Warehouse into a spine-tingling asylum with a line-up of DJs set to chill to the core.
Sapphic shimmies, shakes, and titillating tassel twirling: ‘Femme Follies Burlesque’ is here, to seduce with a glamorous array of Australia’s premier burlesque artists, delivering a masterclass in the art of the tease. Produced and performed by queer artists for the queer gaze.
The Clumped Spirit is an exhibition from James Barth, using 3D-modelling software to create stages, props, and avatars, uncannily rendered in her likeness. The works explore themes of trans self-expression and embodiment, across video, painting, sets and life-sized sculptures.
alt.BIMBO celebrates and empowers AFAB, non-binary and trans artistic talent, dipping into the nostalgia of cult classic television and films, including ‘Buffy’, ‘Angel’, ‘The Craft’, and ‘Charmed’.
The huge A Day On The Green will return to Sirromet Wines as part of Melt, with iconic ‘90s UK act Take That, ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ pop diva Sophie Ellis Bextor, beloved Aussie singer-songwriter Ricki-Lee, and fresh local duo DACY.
There’s also River Pride Parade’s floating boat party; the ‘Real Housewives Of Drag Brunch; the famous Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub; the escapism of Confidence Man fresh from Glastonbury; a night of horror with ‘Drag Race’ stars for ‘Scream Queen’; the acclaimed ‘Old Friends: Mark Trevorrow & Rupert Noff Sing Sondheim’; drag comedy gold in ‘Fountain Lakes In Lockdown!’; and the captivating solo show ‘A Body At Work’ from Frankie van Kan.
"This new incarnation of Melt is an evolution of Brisbane Powerhouse’s Melt Festival of Queer Arts and Culture," Melt Reference Group Chair Luke Furness says.
"Melt is now much larger and will be staged in multiple venues and precincts across Brisbane/Meanjin. We have vibrant LGBTQIA+ communities here ready to take centre stage in a festival for the whole community. You can just feel it’s time to shine."
Tickets are on sale 10am today (4 July).
Melt Festival takes place from 23 October-10 November at Brisbane Powerhouse and surrounds.
