Brisbane Powerhouse is thrilled to announce the first round of acts that are set to perform in venues across the city as part of the new and improved Melt Festival 2024.
Melt (or should we say Melt 2.0), will burst out of Brisbane Powerhouse and transform the Queensland capital into an epicentre of Queer art and culture from 23 October to 10 November 2024, the most glorious time of year to visit the river city.
Luke Furness, Chair of the Melt Reference Group said “This new incarnation of Melt is an evolution of Brisbane Powerhouse’s Melt Festival of Queer Arts and Culture. 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.”
With music, theatre, visual art, parties, parades and more already on the agenda, there’s gold for everyone at the end of the Melt rainbow!
Internationally-acclaimed Bidjara artist Christian Thompson AO will unveil a large-scale outdoor exhibition throughout central Brisbane, including a brand new work to be displayed on the facade of Brisbane Powerhouse. Through his performative photographic works, Thompson critiques dominant cultural narratives, highlighting the complex identities of those considered as ‘other’.
Step into the glittering world of international sensation Hans: Disco Spektakulär! as they bring their dazzling show to Brisbane. With comedy, music, and dance backed by The Ungrateful Bastards and The Lucky B*tches, expect an unforgettable spectacle of sequins and entertainment.
Melt will bring Spencer Tunick back to Brisbane for a monumental art installation on the city’s iconic Story Bridge on Sunday 27 October. The bridge will be closed for this mammoth project which will feature thousands of live nude figures in celebration of diversity, equity, inclusion and Brisbane’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.
Club Broadway: A Wicked Halloween Ball celebrates the magic of Wicked and Halloween with fabulous drag queens and star-studded performances. Embrace the night of witches with the magic of the musical with interactive grandeur.
Brisbane’s iconic Valley Pool is set to break out the astroturf dance floor for Colada Pool Party: Melt Edition. Charge up the group chat and dive into the best poolside house & dance music, delicious drinks and party vibes!
Brisbane’s biggest Halloween event is back, darker and more chilling than ever. Enter if you dare as Halloween Hall transforms The Warehouse into a spine-tingling asylum with a line-up of DJs that will chill to the core.
A cheeky night of sapphic shimmies, shakes and titillating tassel twirling Femme Follies Burlesque will seduce with a glamorous array of Australia’s premier burlesque artists delivering a master class in the art of tease. Produced and performed by queer artists for the queer gaze, Femme Follies will have audiences spellbound, aroused, and amused in equal measure.
The Clumped Spirit is an exhibition from artist James Barth using 3D-modelling software to create stages, props, and avatars uncannily rendered in her likeness. Barth’s work explores the themes of trans self-representation and embodiment – across video, painting, sets and life-sized sculptures, Barth dismantles her avatar across digital and physical worlds.
alt.BIMBO is an evening fiercely celebrating and empowering AFAB, non-binary, and trans artistic talent. Unapologetically dipping into the nostalgia of cult classic television and films including Buffy, Angel, The Craft and Charmed, alt.BIMBO is sure to slay (pun absolutely intended).
A Day on the Green returns to Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton on Sunday 10 November as part of Melt 2024 with iconic 90s UK act Take That (yes, as in Back For Good), Murder on the Dancefloor pop diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor, beloved Aus singer/songwriter Ricki-Lee and fresh local duo DACY.
Plus there’s River Pride Parade’s fabulous floating boat party; the delicious, riotous and risqué Real Housewives of Drag Brunch; the famous Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub; the pure music escapism of Confidence Man, fresh out of Glastonbury; a night of horror, mayhem and fancy dress with the stars of Drag Race at Scream Queen; the acclaimed Old Friends: Mark Trevorrow & Rupert Noff Sing Sondheim the cabaret; drag comedy gold with Kath, Kim and Sharon in Fountain Lakes in Lockdown!; the captivating solo show by A Body At Work from Queer artist and sex worker Frankie van Kan and there’s so much more still to come!
Stay tuned for more information about amazing travel packages from interstate and other offers for out of towners visiting Brisbane during Melt!
