It’s here and it’s queer – LGBTQIA+ celebration Melt is back for 2024! Running from October 23rd to November 10th at 70+ venues across Brisbane/Magandjin, tickets are already on sale for another stacked salute to community, diversity, inclusivity, and artistic expression. Artist from across the world are set to appear, with the festival lining up massive outdoor installations, a spectacular river parade, exhibitions, parties, sporting events, markets, and, of course, unforgettable performances.
Melt Reference Group Chair, Luke Furness said, “Brisbane has never looked so much like paradise. I’ve spoken with hundreds of people about Melt and the common refrain is ‘Brisbane is growing up’.”
“This program is full of artists and performers at the top of their craft. Some are familiar, and some are very different. We have done our job if you leave these weeks laughing, cheering, crying, cringing, and (best of all) thinking. With festivals like Melt, Brisbane keeps getting better.”
With an incredible line-up spanning three jam-packed weeks, picking highlights is near impossible, but here’s a few to whet your appetite:
- First Nations Drag performer Miss Ellaneous‘ Tina – A Tropical Love Story, coming direct from its sell-out Darwin Festival run
- Plenty of Halloween havoc, with Halloween Hall, Club Broadway: A Wicked Halloween Ball, Halloween Cabaret, and local legends alt. presenting alt.BIMBO
- Confidence Man, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Alter Boy, and A Day on the Green feat. pop icons Take That, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Ricki-Lee
- Nesianfuturistic club night Fem Fale, centring on Trans Women of Colour and Global Club Music
- Rainbow History Class with Ruby Jean Rigg and Hannah McElhinney
- Micah Rustichelli‘s Demon Rhythm exhibition, inspired by Rustichelli’s own artworks being used to train AI image generators
- Three day event Friction, grounding queerness in Indigenous knowledge from around the world
- The return of Bay Pride Diversity Walk
- The River Pride Parade, led by Melt Ambassador Courtney Act
You can find the full line-up over on the Melt website now!
Visitors from outside Queensland (including international attendees!) will also receive a very special “Welcome to Paradise” in the form of the Paradise Pass. If you’re heading to Brisbane for Melt, be sure to nab yours and secure exclusive discounts, special offers, and access to travel packages. Our local Brisbane writers have had a look at what’s on offer and can confirm there’s some spectacular deals there!
To check out the full program and to start snapping up tickets, head to the Melt website HERE.
