Sydney’s globally recognised celebration of sexual liberation, Mardi Gras, is fluffing the feather boas and oiling the gears for next February and March in its 35th year of championing “lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer and intersex pride.”
Mardi Gras has a long and illustrious relationship with live music, and this year look’s to be no different with the recent announcement of the lineup for the annual Mardisgrasland party, which closes out the annual parade, and as the event’s website toasts “this is going to be the mother of all Sydney Mardi Gras parties.”
Previous musical stars that have cameoed at the closing party include the likes of David Guetta, George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, and Olivia Newton-John, and music fans will be giddy at the sight of some of the names that have been roped in to help with celebrations. First and foremost, and fresh off the back of this morning’s announcement of a national headline tour, is The Presets.
Having honed their return to the live circuit after making a splash headlining Parklife Festival earlier this year, Kim Moyes and Julian Hamilton will treat Mardisgrasland-goers with key selections from their new album Pacifica, as well as the many highlights from its predecessors, 2005’s Beams and 2008’s monstrously successful Apocalypso.
Joining the electro rock duo is an appearance from flamboyant Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears. Following the announcement that the Scissor Sisters are entering an extended hiatus, Shears will be performing a DJ set at the closing party, under the delightful moniker of DJ Crystal Pepsi.
The full lineup includes the likes of Delta Goodrem, Bimbo Jones, Zoe Badwi and Heather Small of M People fame living it up over seven uniquely themed “lands”, namely venues – such as The Dome, Sydney HiFi, The Gaydar Lounge at PJ Gallaghers and Hordern Pavillion’s darker corners being lit up by the Presets.
Mardisgrasland 2013 follows on from the sellout 2012 event, in part thanks to a mini-concert from Kylie Minogue that featured the pint-sized singer performing some of her biggest and greatest hits, complete with costume changes and dancing troupe.
Full details of the Mardisgrasland venues, acts, and ‘Friends With Benefits’ VIP tickets are available at mardisgras.org.au
Mardisgrasland 2013 lineup
The Presets
DJ Crysal Pepsi (aka Jake Shears)
Delta Goodrem
Heather Small (M People)
Bimbo Jones
Wayne G
Garcon Garcon
Hi Fashion
Stereogamous Feat. Shaun J Wright
Zoe Badwi
+ More
