If you loved the original MELT you are going to love the new and improved MELT Festival 2024 even more. The October-November festival will be an expanded version of Brisbane Powerhouse’s groundbreaking celebration of queer culture.

The Powerhouse has announced the first round of acts set to perform in venues across the city as part of MELT Festival 2024.

MELT (or should we say MELT 2.0), will burst out of the Powerhouse and transform the Queensland capital into an epicentre of queer art and culture from October 23 to November 10.

MELT Reference Group chair Luke Furness says the “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,” Furness says. “We have vibrant LGBTQIA+ communities here ready to take centrestage in a festival for the whole community. You can just feel it’s time to shine.”

With music, theatre, visual art, parties and parades already on the agenda, there’s gold for everyone at the end of the MELT rainbow.

Internationally acclaimed Bidjara artist Christian Thompson will unveil a large-scale outdoor exhibition in central Brisbane, including a brand-new work to be displayed on the facade of Brisbane Powerhouse. Through his photographic works, Thompson critiques dominant cultural narratives, highlighting the complex identities of those considered as “other”.

And you can step into the glittering world of international sensation Hans with Hans: Disco Spektakulär!. With comedy, music and dance backed by The Ungrateful Bastards and The Lucky B*tches, expect an unforgettable spectacle of sequins and entertainment.

MELT brings Spencer Tunick back to Brisbane for a monumental art installation on the city’s iconic Story Bridge on October 27. 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 and 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 venue in Fortitude Valley 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.

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 November 10 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 Aussie singer/songwriter Ricki-Lee and fresh local duo DACY.

Plus there’s River Pride Parade and a 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!; and the captivating solo show by A Body At Work from Queer artist and sex worker Frankie van Kan.

MELT is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Economic Development Agency. Tickets are now on sale. 

melt.org.au 

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