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MELT 2025 IS COMING IN 🔥 FIRST PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT REVEALED! 22 OCT – 9 NOV ON SALE FROM 10AM TODAY!
Festival NewsMusic News

MELT 2025 IS COMING IN 🔥 FIRST PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT REVEALED! 22 OCT – 9 NOV ON SALE FROM 10AM TODAY!

by the partae
written by the partae

MELT 2025

IS COMING IN
FIRST PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT REVEALED!
22 OCT – 9 NOV
ON SALE FROM 10AM TODAY!

Following a record-breaking, traffic-stopping, absolutely joyous festival in 2024, Melt Festival returns in 2025 to crank the fabulous factor up to eleven.

From Swarovski-studded cabaret icons to river flotillas, sweaty dance floors and hilariously gay PowerPoint nights, Brisbane’s annual festival of Queer arts and culture promises to be a city-wide celebration of internationally acclaimed artists, homegrown icons, sexy premieres and boundary-pushing brilliance. Here’s just a taste of what’s in store for Melt’s 2025 edition!

Get ready for the cultural climax of the year as fearless, sharp-witted and fabulous cabaret superstar, Reuben Kaye, unleashes the Queensland premiere of enGORGEd for Melt Festival 2025 at QPAC. Featuring Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and musical direction by Shanon D Whitelock, this is Kaye’s most lavish, loud and liberated show yet.

Making its Melt debut, Ben Graetz’s (aka Miss Ellaneous) Miss First Nation drag pageant will catwalk into Brisbane, celebrating Blak excellence, creativity and culture with the most glamourous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander queens in the country. After state heats around the country, the grand finale will take centre stage at Melt, where the nation’s fiercest will battle it out for the crown. Expect jaw-dropping performances, powerful storytelling and cultural pride.

What does it mean to be “Australian” in 2025? New musical The Lucky Country tackles that question with wit, warmth and a touch of musical rebellion. Directed by Sonya Suares with music and lyrics by Vidya Makan, this genre-defying work confronts Australia’s cultural contradictions with honesty, heart and a rocking score. Get ready for a sharply observed, joyously unapologetic production that leaves no myth unexamined.

River Pride Parade returns, bringing a flotilla of fabulousness down the Brisbane River/Maiwar, from West End to Brisbane Powerhouse. Got a boat? Register your interest to join the fleet HERE. No boat? Get ready to SPLASH OUT as Harry K launches a fabulously Queer boat party on Brisbane’s newest entertainment venue OASIS.

Queer PowerPoint is back and it’s gayer, geekier and more gloriously unhinged than ever. Watch a rotating cast of Queer creatives turn boring boardroom tools into high-concept hilarity and unexpectedly wild theories. The only rule…they must use the most mundane medium, Microsoft PPT. Topic? Niche. Delivery? Unfiltered. Results? Hysterical. Think you’ve got something to share? Apply to present HERE.

Iconic star of stage and screen Bernadette Peters returns for her first Australian performance in over a decade and a major cultural moment for theatre and music lovers alike! An Evening with Bernadette Peters will hit the Brisbane Convention Centre on Friday 24 October. Expect a glorious night of songs and stories from Peters’ incredible career, accompanied by Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Get your tickets HERE.

Last year Melt called on Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community and allies to get nude and 5500 people answered that call for Spencer Tunick’s monumental installation on the Story Bridge. This year Melt is asking you to get vocal! Round out your Melt experience with 1000 Voices, a major choral event uniting queer and ally choirs and solo singers in one monumental moment of song, spirit and solidarity – a love letter to community, courage and collective harmony. Goosebumps guaranteed.

Melt 2025 continues to push the envelope, bringing together explosive nightlife, emotionally resonant theatre and thought-provoking visual art. Hole-Mania 2.0 promises an unhinged, high-energy Queer wrestle-party at The Tivoli, hosted by Queer dance party icon Shandy and drag menace Gogo Bumhole. Meanwhile, horror meets high drag in Scream Queen at the Princess Theatre, a blood-curdling drag spectacular starring a killer lineup of global drag royalty including Naomi Smalls, Yvie Oddly, and Drag Race UK winner Kyran Thrax.

In theatre, the program cuts deep with works that reckon with identity, belonging and colonisation. Jordan Shea’s award-winning Malacañang Made Us at Queensland Theatre explores the Filipino-Australian diaspora with epic scale and emotional grit. Whitefella Yella Tree at La Boite Theatre is a luminous love story between two Aboriginal boys on the brink of invasion, a poetic and heartbreaking reflection on land and first love, while Gerwyn Davies new work Shimmer brings stunning, identity-focused photographic portraits to the Museum of Brisbane, made in collaboration with trans and gender-diverse young people at Open Doors Youth Service.

Other program highlights include the return of Micah Rustichelli’s Demon Rhythm, which challenges the value of image consumption through a massive work of painting and repurposed Instagram imagery from the app’s explore page, SEXY GAY ART at VENTspace, a saucy, subversive showcase of Queer desire in all its forms and Femme Follies Burlesque, a sapphic spin on classic cabaret that brings fierce femme energy and glamorous grit to The Wickham. Rounding out Melt’s first program announcement for 2025 is Still Lives: Brisbane by Luke George and Daniel Kok, a roped-up homage to the city’s punk past, suspending instruments (and performers) in a haunting reanimation of Brisbane’s radical roots.

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell said: “After a phenomenal debut, Melt returns in 2025 as one of Queensland’s most dynamic and inclusive celebrations of arts and culture. Now in its second year, the festival continues to spotlight the creativity, pride, and diversity of our LGBTQIA+ communities, while drawing visitors from across Australia and beyond.

“The Queensland Government is proud to support Melt through Tourism and Events Queensland, recognising its growing impact as a cultural and tourism highlight on our calendar”.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane is ready to welcome visitors from all over Australia to this unique and beloved celebration.

“Melt is an amazing celebration of our LGBTQIA-plus community, creating so much to do in our vibrant arts and cultural scene,” Cr Schrinner said.

“There’s no better place to have such an iconic festival, with our river, cultural precinct and Brisbane Powerhouse set to stage a program full of world-renowned acts, international artists and local talent.

“Melt is set to attract thousands of residents and visitors, and it offers a fantastic boost to our economy as everyone enjoy our bars, restaurants and hotels”.

And honey, this is just the beginning! Full program coming soon…

MELT 2025
Brisbane/Magandjin: 22 October – 9 November

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 10AM TODAY!

For more information, please visit:
melt.org.au

The program’s first announced events include:

Reuben Kaye – engorged

Sexy Gay Art (Art)

Femme Follies (Burlesque)

Splash Out (boat party)

Gerwyn Davies (photographic portraits)

The Lucky Country (theatre)

Hole-Mania 2.0 (Queer wrestle-party)

Whitefella Yella Tree (theatre)

Malacanang Made Us (theatre)

Bernadette Peters (already announced)

Miss First Nation (drag pageant)

1000 Voices (already announced)

Queer PowerPoint (event)

Scream Queen (drag)

River Pride Parade (already announced)

 

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Interview: Thorne - “Honey” Is Pure Sweet, Bold, Joy
Music InterviewsMusic News

Interview: Thorne – “Honey” Is Pure Sweet, Bold, Joy

by the partae
written by the partae

‘Honey’ feels like such a celebration – not just of queer joy, but of confidence, playfulness, and sensuality. What inspired you to channel those feelings into this track?

This track started on a golden summer afternoon with one of my best friends, laughing, playing around with melodies, and getting stuck on the lyrics. So naturally, we turned to the wisest woman we knew—her mum—and asked, “What does sex mean to you?” Her answers gave us some hilarious and unexpectedly profound inspiration. Honestly, I just wanted to write something cheeky, fun, and a little bit stupid—in the best way. I’m all about lifting up my friends, making them laugh, and giving people something to dance to and feel themselves in. ‘Honey’ is that—it’s confidence, it’s joy, it’s me being playful and giving zero apologies.

The video is dreamy, bold, and unapologetically flirtatious. What was your vision going into it, and how did you bring that to life?

I wanted it to feel like a queer summer daydream—sticky, sweet, sexy, and a little chaotic in the best way. Think: ice cream melting down your wrist, your crush giving you that look, a house party where someone’s always dancing in the kitchen. I knew I wanted  my friend Paris as my love interest—he’s gorgeous, charismatic, and he gets the vibe. We wanted to create something flirty and delicious, something that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. The whole video feels like a tease—just the way I like it.

You’ve spoken about representation being important. What does it mean to you to put out a video like this right now – for yourself, and for your community?

When my dad read the original video script, he was like, “Absolutely not.” He thought it was too much. And honestly, that made me want to do it even more. I want to take up space—not just for me, but for other queer people of colour who don’t always see themselves in this kind of work. I grew up needing to see someone like me doing this—being sensual, being joyful, being seen. This video is my way of saying, “We’re here. We’re sexy. Get into it.”

‘Honey’ is described as a shift in your musical direction. What sparked that change, and how does this new sound reflect where you’re at in life right now?

I think I was holding back before—like I hadn’t quite figured out how to bring all of me into the music. ‘Honey’ cracked something open. It let me step into a sound that’s bolder, freer, and way more fun. I’ve always been a little afraid to really put myself out there, but now I feel like I’m stepping into the spotlight with a wink and a little strut. This track is the beginning of a new era for me—one where I’m not trying to tone myself down.

There’s such a fun, feel-yourself energy in this song – was that vibe just as strong in the studio while making it?

Absolutely. I was dancing the whole time. Making ‘Honey’ felt like one long flirt—between me and the beat, me and the melody, me and myself. You know that feeling when you try on an outfit and instantly feel hot? That was me in the studio, but with sound. There was so much joy in the process, and I think you can hear that in every second of the track.

You’re celebrating the release with a show at Shotkickers – what can fans expect from that night? Any surprises you’re willing to tease?

Let’s just say: wear something you can sweat in. It’s going to be hot—musically and emotionally. I’m pulling out all the stops. Expect live vocals, cheeky moments, and a few unreleased tracks that might just become your new obsessions. Also, some of my favourite artists—Sim and Isadora—are supporting, and they are going to blow it up. It’s a night for the girls, the gays, and the theys. Come ready to dance, cry, flirt… maybe all at once.

Can you tell us a bit about the creative team behind the video? Who helped you shape this vision, and what was it like working together?

I worked with Checklist Productions on the video, and honestly? Dream team. I’d seen them in action on a friend’s music video and thought—okay, these gals know exactly what they’re doing. I loved that it was a female-led crew too—it made the whole process feel safe, collaborative, and genuinely fun. I came into it with more of a moodboard in my head than a full-blown treatment—just some scattered shot ideas and strong vibes. I’ve always found it tricky getting ideas out of my head and onto paper, but the girls were incredible at taking my little chaos and turning it into something bold and beautiful. They just got it. One moment I’ll never forget was when we were filming the bridge. The hallway lighting, the energy, the tension—it all came together and I thought, damn… this is about to be hot. That was the moment I knew the video was going to give everything it needed to. Total magic.

This track feels like a confidence boost in audio form. What advice would you give to someone still learning to embrace their own self-expression?

That voice in your head telling you you’re not good enough? It lies. Trust me, I hear it all the time. The trick is to keep going anyway. Keep showing up, keep trying—even when you’re scared. Especially when you’re scared. If it makes you nervous, it probably means you care, and that’s a good sign. Self-expression is a muscle—you build it by using it.

With ‘Honey’ being the first taste of more music to come, can you give us a hint of what’s on the horizon?

Absolutely—there’s so much more where Honey came from. The next singles are giving early 2000s R&B/pop: think slow grinds, flipped phones, lip gloss, and feelings you can’t shake. It’s moody, flirty, and full of that ugh, I miss them but also never again kind of energy. I won’t give away too much… but let’s just say there’s a track that might make you text your ex, and another that’ll make you forget they ever existed. The EP is a bit of a diary entry—equal parts heartbreak and hot girl energy. I’ve always loved a good breakup anthem, but I’m also obsessed with songs that make you feel yourself in the mirror. It’s a real mix of moods, but the common thread is honesty. These songs are all just me—my feelings, my mess, my joy—laid bare.This whole project feels like a new chapter. I’m more self-assured, more grounded in who I am—as Thorne and just as a person. I want people to feel everything when they listen to these tracks: sexy, angry, vulnerable, powerful. All of it. Because that’s what life is, right?

The title alone – ‘Honey’ – is such a vibe. How did you land on that name, and what does it represent for you personally?

It’s sweet, sticky, golden—and maybe just a little messy. That’s the vibe I wanted to capture. The word “Honey” feels like a wink and a kiss and a tiny little dare all rolled into one. It’s indulgent and intimate, and for me, it’s a reminder to stay soft but strong. Also, the metaphor… if you know, you know. 😏

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thornemusics

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thorne_music/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thorne.music

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Music News

Broken Earth celebrate their growth on new single “RAINMAKER”

by the partae
written by the partae

Sydney nu-metalcore rising stars Broken Earth return with their hard-hitting new single RAINMAKER hot on the heels of their set at TerrorLoud this past weekend

RAINMAKER is the culmination of years of sonic evolution, balancing crushing heaviness with introspective nuance—featuring razor-sharp instrumentation and a powerful vocal performance from frontman Raphael Smith.

Reflecting on self-acceptance and personal transformation, RAINMAKER invites listeners to confront their past and step into the future without fear. “It’s about choosing to grow, to rise above self-doubt, and to navigate life’s challenges head-on,” shares the band. “RAINMAKER continues the narrative from our previous singles—shedding old skin and embracing who we are becoming.”

The single reunites Broken Earth with long-time collaborator Mark Williamson (Inertia, Revoid) on production and mixing duties, with mastering by none other than Kris Crummett (All Time Low, Sleeping With Sirens, Dance Gavin Dance), reinforcing the band’s refined and matured trajectory in 2025.

Comprised of Raphael Smith (vocals), Brad Stokes (bass), Benjamin Robinson (guitar), and Sebastian Weir (drums), Broken Earth formed from the remnants of earlier projects, quickly forging a reputation for emotionally driven, genre-blending music that mixes authenticity with aggression.

Building a reputation for their live energy, Broken Earth have spent the last 12 months touring nationally, including a support slot with Miss May I (US) at their Sydney Knotfest sideshow. They’ve also shared the stage with heavyweights Paledusk (JPN), No Bragging Rights (US), Caskets (UK), Windwaker, Gravemind, Diamond Construct, The Beautiful Monument and more.

With hundreds of thousands of digital streams, placements on top Spotify and Apple Music editorial playlists, and growing media acclaim, Broken Earth continues to carve their name into the scene.

RAINMAKER is available now and streaming everywhere.

 

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Music News

NZ indie-folk troubadour Solomon Crook returns with ethereal new single ‘Too Strung’

by the partae
written by the partae

NZ indie-folk troubadour SOLOMON CROOK returns with ethereal new single ‘TOO STRUNG’;

‘BENEATH THE MORNING TREE’ EP set for release July 3

Aotearoa indie-folk artist Solomon Crook has returned with the beautiful new single titled ‘Too Strung’ – out in the world today. ‘Too Strung’ is the latest from his forthcoming EP  ‘Beneath The Morning Tree’ set for release on the 3rd of July.

‘Too Strung’ immediately pulls you close with an infectious, percussive pulse – it is this rolling heartbeat that lifts the listener along through soaring peaks and intimate spaces. Solomon’s acoustic guitar rhythms set the motion for the track, whilst his signature low-end vocal weaves ear-worm melodies. Washed in nostalgic warmth, this single leaves you bathing in its glow.

Lyrically, the song moves towards connection – a quiet reaching for wholeness. “It’s a yearning for freedom,” Solomon shares, “a call to nature to untangle the knots my mind ties itself in.” It holds the tension between constriction and release – embracing the strain, while allowing softness to seep through. At its heart, it’s an honest admission of imperfection, and within that, a gentle invitation for change and renewal – much like the turning of the seasons.

The single is a part of a 7-track EP titled ‘Beneath The Morning Tree’ set for release on the 3rd of July.  Recorded over a week  during the winter of 2023, Solomon was joined by producer Neil Macleod and visual director Oscar Keys (Kirin J. Calinan, Broods, Daily J), all hunkered down in Tekapo, a quiet town in the South of New Zealand. Here they stayed in Oscar’s family cabin from the 70’s – recording music, capturing moments, lighting fires, sharing meals, going for walks, icy swims and the occasional target practice.

Although the recording process was reasonably brief, the songs on ‘Beneath The Morning Tree’ have stuck around with Solomon for a few years now – smouldering and changing, while Solomon focused on returning to the heart of his songwriting.

“This project began over four years ago, sparked by a quiet longing – for deeper connection, for more honesty in both myself and my songwriting. It felt like a return to where it all started: just me, my guitar, and the act of writing. Stripping everything back, I found space to sit with the bare bones of a song, to listen closely to what needed to be said. What unfolded was a gradual peeling back – layers of vulnerability, truth, and clarity. And within that honesty, I recognised something unmistakable: this was my story, told in the only way I could tell it.” SOLOMON CROOK

‘Too Strung’ is accompanied by a music video from Oscar, filmed on a super 8 during their time in Lake Tekapo – capturing all the vast natural beauty and camaraderie from the sessions.

“We arrived in Tekapo without a fixed plan – just a Super8 camera in hand and a willingness to follow wherever the moment led. The bach, tucked away in its quiet charm, held a stash of old winter clothes from the ’70s, and we leaned into the nostalgia, making use of what we found. The video was never about perfection, it was about presence. About capturing the kind of moments where connection feels effortless. It reflects where we are right now: a time marked by openness, shared energy, and the quiet kind of joy that lives in the in-between.” SOLOMON CROOK

‘Too Strung’ Music Video – dir. By Oscar Keys

Releasing music since 2018, Solomon Crook has seen widespread support for previous release thus far. With 3 million streams to his name, including 2 million for his debut single ‘Love Juice’ and 20,000 for EP singles ‘Bread’ & ‘Sunrise’; 12k monthly listeners; radio play from Radioactive FM (NZ), BFM (NZ), Radio Control (NZ), RD1 (NZ) and Radio NZ; previous supports for The Teskey Brothers and Amy Shark; and appearances at festivals such as Bay Dreams, Soundsplash and The Otherside Festival; Solomon Crook has been hitting career milestones in quick succession over the last few years.

PRAISE 

“With an impressive ability to craft gorgeous lyrics and pair the with stunning melodies, it won’t be long before Solomon Crook is an in-demand artist all over the globe.”
TONE DEAF

“There is a heartfelt, honest quality to Solomon’s song writing. Tinged with a touch of angst and loaded with meaning. He writes most of his music from his childhood home on the beautiful Coromandel, hidden away from distractions.”
MUSIC NZ

“The mixture of gravel and honey, and the raw, soft timbre in his voice is unique, something he has honed and developed along his musical journey”
NZ MUSICIAN

‘Too Strung’ out May 8th
SOLOMON CROOK Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Tik Tok 

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Music InterviewsMusic News

Interview: Scott Klein Unpacks Addiction Through Southern Gothic

by the partae
written by the partae

“Hey Lady” dives deep into themes of addiction and isolation through a Southern Gothic lens—what inspired you to tell this particular story?

That song came from a place I don’t visit often but always carries me when I fall. “Hey Lady” is about someone disappearing in plain sight. Addiction isolates in ways that even language struggles to touch—it frays your connection to the world, to people, to yourself. I wasn’t trying to write a message, just trying to paint the feeling of watching someone vanish while still breathing. It’s lonely music. Not about the party, but the silence afterward.

Your music feels like it comes from a very visceral, raw place. Can you walk us through your songwriting process—are these characters drawn from real life, or more symbolic representations of emotion?

They’re not really characters to me—they’re shadows I’ve known, or that have passed through me. I write from the images that stick behind my eyes. It always starts with a picture: a woman standing alone at a payphone, a man asleep in a car with the radio on. I see the scene before I hear the chord. Sometimes it’s real, sometimes it isn’t—but the emotion has to be. That’s the compass.

You’re working with Chris “Boo” Boosahda and Jonathan Tyler on this record—what has their influence brought to your sound, and how did those collaborations come about?

Boo and Jonathan are both people who understand the space between notes—the ache in the quiet. Boo knows how to hold a moment, (like he did with Shaky Graves )let it breathe instead of filling it up. Jonathan brought that edge, that desert rock gospel feel, but never pushed it too far. We all met through the strange gravitational pull of music—one song led to a conversation, a session led to a record. We weren’t chasing anything but the truth.

How does this new record compare to your debut, Jesse’s Hotel, in terms of tone and production? Did you approach the studio differently this time around?

Jesse’s Hotel was written in motion. This record was written in stillness. The tone is colder, sharper—more alone. I used to want to fill every space in the song. Now I let the silence speak. We tracked to tape, kept things raw, left in the rough edges. This one feels like walking through an empty house with no furniture and hearing your own steps echo back.

There’s a sense of myth and mysticism woven into your lyrics—how much does storytelling, folklore, or the landscape itself shape the way you write songs?

It shapes everything. Where I come from, stories were how people survived. Not by telling the truth exactly, but by telling it sideways—through parables, through whispers. The land carries weight too. I write songs like you’d sketch a map to a place that may not exist anymore. Sometimes I think I’m just trying to find my way back to something I lost.

The imagery in your songs is incredibly cinematic. Do visuals play a role in your writing process, or do they come afterward as a reflection of the music?

The songs come from the pictures in my eyes. I don’t write from sound—I write from vision. There’s a reel playing in my head: headlights flickering down a dirt road, someone smoking on a balcony at 3am, a motel sign blinking “VACANCY” into the void. The music’s just the frame I put around the scene.

“Hey Lady” feels like a deeply compassionate portrayal of someone in pain—how do you navigate writing about such heavy topics without romanticizing or simplifying them?

Pain doesn’t need polish—it needs presence. I try to write from that place where it still hurts, not from the other side of it. I’m not interested in tragedy porn or glorifying collapse. I’m interested in that quiet moment when someone is still fighting, even if no one sees it. That’s where the real beauty is. Not in the fall, but between the cracks.

How has being a Canadian in the heart of Texas influenced your artistic voice? Do you feel like an outsider looking in, or have you found a home in the Southern Americana sound?

I feel like a guest in someone else’s dream. Texas is vast, mythic, and strange—it welcomes you but never fully explains itself. That’s what I love about it. Being Canadian in this landscape keeps me aware of my own edges. I don’t try to fit in. I let the contrast work for me. The loneliness I carry from the North just found a different echo here in the South.

What have you learned about yourself through the making of this new record, especially in exploring such emotionally raw territory?

That I’m more fragile than I thought, and stronger than I believed. Writing this record didn’t save me, but it helped me sit with the things I couldn’t fix. I’ve learned to stop running from the quiet. Sometimes the loneliness has something to say.

With this record already shaping up to be darker and sharper, what do you hope listeners walk away with after hearing it from start to finish?

I hope it feels like someone sat beside them in the dark and didn’t try to fix anything—just stayed. I hope the songs feel like photographs of feelings you thought no one else remembered. If it leaves a mark, a stillness, a question—that’s enough.

 

Listen:

Apple Music – Scott Klein

YouTube

Follow:

Instagram

Link tree

Facebook

Website

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Festival NewsMusic News

Riviera Winter Winterland! An Immersive Winter Experience Set to Open in Melbourne

by the partae
written by the partae

An Immersive Winter Experience Set to Open in Melbourne  

Tickets on sale now through Megatix 

Melbourne’s iconic Riviera Beach Club in partnership with Happen Group has today unveiled plans for a  brand-new immersive Winter Wonderland experience launching in time for the school holidays. 

The Riviera Winter Wonderland will see the Elwood venue transform into the ultimate winter experience  every day from 01June 2025 through to 03 August 2025.

The family-friendly experience will offer a variety of daytime entertainment including the custom-made  ice-skating rink complete with real ice, snow blizzards and skate aids! Private Igloos including catering  packages that are ideal for children’s birthday parties, a market area offering festival snacks, popcorn, fairy  floss, snow cones, face painting and more! 

By night, the space will transform into an ‘after-dark’ offering for adults including DJ’s and disco skating,  the private igloos will offer premium alcohol packages and catering for 2-6 guests while the market area  will serve the winter classics including mulled wine and a selection of cocktails. 

Overlooking the breathtaking views of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s iconic waterfront restaurant, The  Pavilion Restaurant and Bar will offer a front row seat to all the winter wonderland action with their  exceptional food and dining experience available to guests. 

“We are excited to transform this iconic venue into a winter wonderland experience! We have ensured that  we have catered to both families with young children and the adults so that everyone can enjoy this event  by the bay in Melbourne.” Daniel McFadyen – Happen Group 

Ticket prices start at $18 with family packages available from $62 at www.megatix.com.au RIVIERA WINTER WONDERLAND 

Address – 42B Marine Parade, Elwood VIC 3184 

Open from 01 June 2025 – 03 August 2025 

4pm-10pm weekdays  

10am-10pm weekends  

Extended trading hours for school holidays will apply 

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Festival NewsMusic News

Central Cee – CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS WORLD TOUR Saturday, 28 June 2025 | Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne ALL AGES EVENT

by the partae
written by the partae

UK rap phenomenon Central Cee is hitting the road for his first-ever global tour following the highly anticipated release of his debut album. The CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS WORLD TOUR 2025 will bring his electrifying live show to fans across the world.

The Australian leg includes major stops at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, and wraps up at RAC Arena in Perth.

Need accessible seating?
Accessible tickets must be booked through the official ticketing agent’s dedicated hotline or online form.

TICKETS

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Backstage is Pretty Pink’s tribute to the dancefloor, packed with power, passion and release
Music News

Backstage is Pretty Pink’s tribute to the dancefloor, packed with power, passion and release

by the partae
written by the partae

With her latest single Backstage, German DJ and producer Pretty Pink delivers a bold, high-energy statement that bridges the gap between deep emotion and peak-time ecstasy. Released on her own imprint Deep Woods, the track captures everything her fans love about her style: a rolling low-end, lush synth layers, ecstatic vocal cuts, and that unmistakable sense of build and release that transforms a club track into a shared moment of bliss.

Anchored by hypnotic arpeggios, tight percussion, and ethereal pads, Backstage unfolds like a slow-motion ascent. It is a melodic trip that builds tension with every rise, then lets loose with electrifying drops and a vocal hook that flirts with the crowd from just behind the curtain. Imagine the dancefloor at 4 a.m. with sweat, strobe lights, and a sense of letting go. Or, as Pretty Pink herself puts it: “Good girls go to heaven. Bad girls go backstage.”

But Backstage is more than a track. It is a reflection of Pretty Pink’s continuing rise as one of the most compelling voices in melodic techno. She has graced the cover of Mixmag, played to thousands on the Tomorrowland Mainstage, and earned repeated cover support from Spotify’s Electronic Rising playlist. Her global tour schedule spans continents and connects a devoted community of fans who resonate with the emotional clarity and refined drive of her sound.

As the founder of Deep Woods, both a label and a podcast series, Pretty Pink has carved out a space for the more melodic, emotive corners of techno. She is not only championing her own vision but also uplifting a new generation of producers who share her sonic ideals. With Backstage, she sharpens that vision once more and offers a track that moves your body and lingers in your mind long after the night is over.

Stream/Buy: https://smrtlnk.app/backstage

Pretty Pink: https://www.instagram.com/prettypinkmusic

 

 

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Scott Klein Unveils “Hey Lady” — A Haunting Ode from Austin’s Southern Gothic Scene
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Scott Klein Unveils “Hey Lady” — A Haunting Ode from Austin’s Southern Gothic Scene

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In the heart of Texas, where the sun scorches the earth and stories seep from the soil, Scott Klein, a Canadian-born troubadour, emerges with his latest single, “Hey Lady.” This track is a tapestry woven with threads of Southern Gothic and Americana, painting a vivid portrait of a prairie woman’s struggle against addiction and isolation.

This new record, currently in production, brings Klein together with heavyweight collaborators: RIAA Gold-certified producer Chris “Boo” Boosahda (Shakey Graves), and Jonathan Tyler (Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights). The sessions are shaping up to be some of Klein’s most emotionally charged work to date, peeling back the layers of loss, lust, and redemption with unflinching honesty.

Following the underground success of his debut Jesse’s Hotel, this new body of work moves into darker, sharper terrain—where each track sounds like it was written in blood and recorded by candlelight. It’s not just music; it’s myth-making, forged in the spaces between dusk and despair.

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Festival NewsMusic News

KATIE BROOKE SHARES SECOND STUDIO ALBUM ‘RELENTLESS’ + FORTHCOMING SHOW DATES

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After three years of grit, growth, and deep soul-searching, Katie Brooke unveils her second studio album Relentless – a project that captures her most defining years as a songwriter, a mother, and a woman walking unapologetically in her own boots.

Written entirely by Katie and produced with long-time collaborator Rusty Crook in Tamworth, Relentless blends classic country roots with raw, reflective storytelling. It’s a natural progression from her 2022 debut Sticks, Stones and Stories, but this time, the stories hit even harder.

“I started writing this album three years ago, around the same time I became a mother and my life shifted to a whole new realm,” Katie shares. “In that time, I became the artist I’ve always hoped to be. My songwriting got more honest, more traditional, more me. It’s the most true I’ve ever felt.”

That truth echoes through every track. There’s a maturity to this record – not just in vocal delivery or production, but in the songwriting itself. Each track feels like a journal entry cracked open for the listener.

At the heart of the album lies its bold title track, ‘Relentless’ – written in a storm of frustration and self-reflection. It’s a sonic statement of defiance, channelling burnout into clarity. That same undercurrent of resilience threads its way through ‘Too Far Down’ – a previous single that cracked the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart in 2023 – and ‘Ain’t No 9 to 5’, a foot-stomping salute to the work ethic and passion Katie inherited from her family – celebrating sweat, legacy, and the kind of drive that doesn’t clock off when the day ends.

The album also leans into vulnerability with unflinching honesty. ‘A Little Dirt’, which hit #2 on both the Play MPE Country Most Downloaded and Most Streamed charts, is Katie at her most confessional – a bright, melodic reflection on regret and growth. ‘Someone’s Enemy’, explores the slow unravel of friendship, while ‘Higher Ground’ serves as a moving tribute to her hometown and the 2022 Northern Rivers floods that reshaped it forever.

There’s also room for heart in its most nurturing form. ‘You Can Always Come Home’ was written for Katie’s daughter Faith – a love letter to unconditional love and belonging. On the flip side of tenderness is ‘Can’t Fake That’, a whip-smart, playful tribute to country women living the life for real – not for image. With a wink to cowgirl culture and an undeniable swagger, it’s a refreshing burst of confidence and camaraderie.

The cinematic, ‘Haunted or Holy’ is the kind of track that unfolds differently on every listen, while ‘Secondhand Spurs’ is a nostalgic ride through Katie’s early 20s in Tamworth, where dreams, heartbreak, and horse riding collided. “If my 20s had a theme song, this one is it,” she laughs.

The sound of Relentless is unmistakably Katie – timeless, authentic, and beautifully lived-in. Featuring world-class musicians like Jason Roller (Alabama, Grand Ole Opry Band), Rusty Crook, and Bradley Bergen, the album was recorded slowly and intentionally, with Katie traveling five hours each way from her rural NSW home to Tamworth. “That drive became its own ritual,” she recalls. “A time to reflect, dream, and shape this album into something that feels worn in and well loved.”

Raised on a beef cattle property and now raising her own family in the same Northern NSW pocket, Katie has never chased a trend. Her whip-smart lyrics, salt-of-the-earth vocals, and no-nonsense charm have earned her a loyal following. Alongside accolades like winning the Listen Up Music Songwriting Prize (Gold Coast Semi-Final) and sitting on its national judging panel, she’s opened for the likes of The Black Sorrows, Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley and Shannon Noll.

Her Relentless album tour will take Katie and her full band across regional and metro Australia – a long-awaited step up for the country artist who’s previously toured solo or acoustically.

Whether she’s riding horseback with a guitar, writing songs while the baby naps, or cracking whips (just like her dad did when he opened the Sydney 2000 Olympics) – Katie Brooke is as real as they come. Relentless effortlessly channels that authenticity and marks a turning point, not just in her career, but in her own story.

“I experienced a major flood, became a first-time mum, faced some tough failures – and still kept pushing forward. This album is about that journey. It’s about becoming.”

It’s not just the sound of a country artist finding her feet – it’s the sound of one finally riding full tilt into who she’s always been.

TOUR DATES:

Friday 16th May – Chattahoochee Joe’s – Brisbane QLD
Saturday 17th May – Mummulgum Hall – Mummulgum NSW
Saturday 31st May – The Hoey Moey Country Music Festival – Coffs Harbour NSW
Sunday 1st June – The Crown Hotel Grafton – Grafton NSW
Sunday 15th June – The Northern Rivers Hotel – Lismore NSW

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Fritz Kalkbrenner Unveils a Refined Evolution with ‘Can We Find A Way’

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Fritz Kalkbrenner opens a new chapter in his unmistakable sonic journey with Can We Find A Way — a warm, emotionally charged house track that fuses soulful depth with irresistible dancefloor momentum. Anchored by a rolling groove and shaped by Fritz’s instantly recognisable vocal tone, the track unfolds like a moment suspended in time. It’s introspective yet propulsive, melancholic yet quietly hopeful. A haunting female vocal floats through the arrangement, adding fragility and tension that heighten the emotional impact.

This is late-night music with a beating heart, equally at home in peak-time club sets and during solitary city strolls. A sound that embraces the stillness of night while reaching for light, Can We Find A Way radiates a refined and deeply human energy that lingers long after the final note.

Following the success of his previous single, this release signals the next step in Fritz Kalkbrenner’s evolving artistic vision. It is a sound that is contemporary and elegant while remaining deeply personal and unmistakably his. A hypnotic remix by Ede, known for his releases on Innervisions, will follow at the end of May and promises a deeper, late-night club interpretation.

Having shaped a generation with Sky and Sand and earned multiple Gold and Platinum awards for his albums and singles, Fritz Kalkbrenner once again proves his unique ability to move both bodies and hearts with timeless style and emotional precision.

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The Voice Australia Winner Reuben De Melo Releases Debut Single “Slow”
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The Voice Australia Winner Reuben De Melo Releases Debut Single “Slow”

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Touring nationally from July 2025 before reuniting with LeAnn Rimes in September

Tickets on-sale now via nicheproductions.com.au HER

Listen to “Slow” HERE

Sydney, Australia – After capturing the nation’s heart as the 2024 Voice Australia champion, soulful singer-songwriter Reuben De Melo has released his debut single “Slow”. The track marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the West Australian artist—his first release following The Voice, and the lead offering from his forthcoming debut EP.

Rooted in Reuben’s signature blend of emotive storytelling, textured vocals, and atmospheric production, “Slow” is a reminder to pause and connect—to feel deeply, move gently, and honour the people we hold closest.

“As a FIFO worker and a dad, I know how fast life can move,” says Reuben. “Slow is about being present—for your kids, your partner, your heart. It’s a love letter to slowing down and holding on to what really matters.”

Described by TheMusic.com.au as “the kind of story that inspires,” Reuben’s journey from FIFO worker to national spotlight has resonated deeply with audiences across the country. With authenticity and soul at the core of his artistry, he continues to prove that big dreams and a grounded life can co-exist.

“Slow” will be the first of several tracks to feature on Reuben’s upcoming EP, which he’ll perform live on his first major Australian tour this July–August 2025.

On his debut national tour, Reuben is hitting all major cities across Australia from 4 July, fans will experience the raw, soul-stirring sound of Reuben De Melo with his powerful voice and heartfelt indie folk style. From his breakout EP “Consumed” to his unforgettable rendition of “The House of the Rising Sun,” he’s become one of Australia’s most authentic new voices.

Reuben De Melo – National Tour Dates

July 4th – Brisbane – Black Bear Lodge

July 5th – Sunshine Coast – SOLBAR

July 6th – Byron Bay – The Northern

July 10th – Port Macquarie – Finnean’s Tavern

July 11th – Newcastle – King Street

July 12th – The Entrance – Long Jetty Hotel

July 13th – Sydney – Mary’s Underground

July 17th – Wollongong – LA LA LA’s

July 18th – Canberra – UC Hub

July 25th – Traralgon – The Deck

July 26th – Melbourne – The Evelyn

July 27th – Adelaide – Jive Bar

August 8th – Broome – The Roey

August 9th – Perth – Westin Hotel

August 13th – Exmouth – Whalebone Brewing Co.

August 16th – Newman – Fortescue Festival

August 24th – Fremantle – Freo Social

 

For all show and ticketing details, head to www.nicheproductions.com.au

Following his run of headline shows, Reuben will reunite with Voice coach LeAnn Rimes, supporting her Australian tour in September alongside acclaimed American soul duo The War and Treaty.

“I’ve stood on many stages, with many artists throughout my career but this one… this is special, I don’t need to tell you how incredibly talented Reuben De Melo is.” Said, LeAnn Rimes.

 

“Slow” is available now on all major platforms

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SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS prepare to embark on 2025 AUSTRALIAN TOUR RED FUTURE TOUR set to arrive down under THIS MAY

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Photo by: Mackenzie Grant

TOUR TICKETS

Hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids have announced an Australian leg of their 2025 RED FUTURE Album Tour! The Haisla Nation band hailing from British Columbia, Canada are headed down under for the first time since their last run of shows in 2019. 

In the six years since then, SNRK have released 3 new albums: Life After (2021), I’M GOOD, HBU? (2022) [released by Bad Apples Music], and their major label debut via SONY, RED FUTURE (2024), which saw them collaborate with the likes of Electric Fields [LISTEN HERE].

“We met Electric Fields in 2019; we happened on a set they were doing for BIGSOUND and were blown away by them. This collaboration has been a long time in the works and we’re blessed to have them involved in this one. This track was years in the making and we couldn’t be happier to have made it the title track for our album.”  YOUNG D

“Red Future is about wanting to see our future generations thriving. We were inspired by Indigenous futurism and we see Snotty Nose Rez Kids as a small part in opening doors and inspiring future youth to realize the vision for their own lives, whether it’s music, art or anything else.”  YUNG TRYBEZ

RED FUTURE was released in September of 2024, and saw the duo undertake a 35-city North American headline tour in support of the record. Now, fresh off the back of winning Rap Album of the Year at the 2025 Juno Awards, SNRK have revealed that the next leg of the tour will bring them to Australian shores once again, playing shows across Melbourne, Newcastle, Burleigh and Sydney!

RED FUTURE AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2025

TICKETS

Saturday May 10th Yirramboi Festival, Uncle Archie Roach Block Party Melbourne

Friday May 16th King Street Newcastle

Saturday May 17th Burleigh Town Hotel Burleigh

Thursday May 22nd Waywards Sydney

Friday May 23rd Vivid Festival, First Light: Live Sydney

“We can’t wait to be back! After the pandemic derailed our touring plans, including plans to return to Australia in 2020, we’ve been waiting for the right time. After touring our new album all over North America, this felt like the perfect moment to bring the RED FUTURE Tour experience world-wide!”  YUNG TRYBEZ

Representing the indigenous Haisla peoples of Kitamaat Village in their home province of British Columbia, Snotty Nose Rez Kids is composed of Young D (Darren Metz) and Yung Trybez (Quinton Nyce). The pair have been champions of culture and heritage since the project’s inception in 2016, and have continued to proudly intertwine their art and activism every step of the way. With over 60 million streams across DSPs, over 45 million video views, 95K monthly listeners on Spotify, and a heap of local support from the likes of Double J, triple j, RRR, FBi Radio PBS, RTR and more, the return of Snotty Nose Rez Kids to stages down under is sure to be one for the ages.

“It’s always love in Australia. Every time we’ve been out this way, we’ve felt support from fans and we’ve felt the community from other artists. Indigenous artists in Australia are at the forefront of music in this country and we’re blessed to be connected to a lot of them and looking forward to making music together.” YOUNG D

PRAISE FOR SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS

“With their signature blend of storytelling, activism, and in-your-face beats, RED FUTURE isn’t just an album—it’s a statement. And if history is any indicator, SNRK are about to make a lot of noise.”

NOTION

“[RED FUTURE] sounds lush and epic and widescreen — in a word, big.”

BILLBOARD CANADA

“RED FUTURE is a bold, blistering album that begs to be blasted at a high volume, particularly at one of the group’s high-energy concerts.”

NEXT MAG

“Deconstructing perceptions of First Nations people with intelligence and responsibility, hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids are at the forefront of Canada’s indigenous renaissance.”

THE LINE OF BEST FIT

“Haisla Nation duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids thrive on subverting stereotypes and preserving cultural traditions. With fierce rhymes committed to the cause of decolonization, Young Trybez and Young D simultaneously nod to the contemporary hip-hop sound they employ and to environmental issues directly affecting Indigenous people.” 

COMPLEX

SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS: Official Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube 

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Festival NewsMusic News

Hyoyeon joins &FRIENDS Festival lineup with Zedd, ILLENIUM, bbno$ and more this May

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&FRIENDS Festival is redefining what it means to be a destination music experience in Southeast Asia. On May 30 & 31, 2025, at Okada Manila, global superstars and Asia’s rising artists come together to celebrate music that’s beyond borders.

With Grammy-winning EDM powerhouse Zedd, Billboard-charting producer ILLENIUM, and genre-bending rapper bbno$ already leading the lineup, &FRIENDS Festival has now announced the addition of DJ HYO, the electrifying DJ persona of Hyoyeon from Girls’ Generation. Known for her unique fusion of EDM, house, and K-Pop, HYO has carved out her space in the global DJ scene.

Returning to Manila, DJ HYO is set to deliver a performance that amplifies &FRIENDS’ vision of bridging East and West with K-Pop flair and festival energy. Her presence marks a celebration of K-Pop’s global influence and highlights the growing impact of Asian artists in the international festival space.

Joining her are a lineup of Asia’s rising talents: Singapore’s Kiara, Thailand’s BOTCASH, Taiwan’s RayRay, Japan’s KDH, and South Korea’s Jeonghyeon: all bringing their own unique sounds to the stage. They represent a diverse wave of music that makes &FRIENDS one of the most culturally rich festivals to take place in Manila.

Three Stages, Two Days, One Unforgettable Weekend of Music

The festival transforms Okada Manila into a multi-stage experience, where fans can explore everything from high-energy EDM to experimental beats and live vocals across the Cove Stage, the Creator Stage, and the Friendship Stage, each offering its own distinct vibe.

May 30, 2025 (Friday)

 

  • Cove Stage: Zedd headlines alongside HYO, €URO TRA$H, RayRay, Fairlane b2b Siangyoo, Kiara, Hoang, and more.
  • Creator Stage: The night turns into a K-Pop Rave presented by HIDDEN NIGHTS, with 2Spade, Hoaprox, and Foxela, and more spinning K-wave hits with an EDM twist.
  • Friendship Stage: DJ collectives Restored Bass and EKO&FRIENDS take over for a night of Asian underground music.

 

May 31, 2025 (Saturday)

 

    • Cove Stage: ILLENIUM and bbno$ make their Manila debuts, along with Seven Lions, 2Spade, Jeonghyeon b2b KDH, Hoang b2b MVSE, NGHTSHIFT, Caden, Orange Juice Asia, and more.
  • Creator Stage: Filipino music is front and center with the OPM Stage led by Ylona Garcia, joined by Amiel Sol, Kiyo, and music-focused collectives like Orange Juice Asia and Planet Workshop, expanding the definition of what OPM can be.
  • Friendship Stage: Scene-shaping groups Midnight Rebels and Contrast deliver their signature style, fusing sound and community-driven culture.

2-Day Tickets that include entry to both days, are at Php 8,500 for General Admission and Php 15,000 for VIP.

Solo day tickets start at Php 6,000 for Day 1, with Zedd, €URO TRA$H, Kiara, Fairlane b2b Siangyoo and more EDM acts. Day 2 starts at Php 3,500, headlined by bbno$, ILLENIUM, and Seven Lions.

VVIP Cabanas and Day 1 Music + Expo tickets are officially sold out. 

&FRIENDS Festival is powered by LastDrop.

—

About &FRIENDS:

&FRIENDS is a lifestyle + events brand by Clout Kitchen that celebrates Gen Z pop culture, the creators leading the charge, and the communities around them. A gateway between East and West, &FRIENDS Festival brings the world’s biggest names to Asia while giving local rising stars a global spotlight.

About Clout Kitchen:

Clout Kitchen is a startup that crafts unique, creator-powered tech and experiences that unlock infinite fun and possibilities for creators and their communities. Headquartered in Los Angeles and Manila, Clout Kitchen is backed by world-class investors like a16z Games and AppWorks. Learn more at cloutkitchen.net. 

About LastDrop:

LastDrop is an all-in-one marketing app for music artists and content creators that puts fan outreach, engagement, and social growth on autopilot.

 

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