Melt 2024's First Lineup Drop Features Sophie Ellis-Bextor, a 'Wicked'-Themed Halloween Ball and a Pool Party

Melt is back for 2024. Melt is also brand-new for 2024. Both statements can be true because this year's Melt has expanded its celebration of queer arts and culture to also become a fringe-style fest, aka Melt Open. To mark this return-slash-transformation, Brisbane is in for a helluva few weeks come October and November — the kind where Sophie Ellis-Bextor returns to the River City, and to the fest, to murder dance floors again; a Wicked-themed Halloween ball will have everyone defying gravity; a party is taking over the Valley Pool; and Bidjara artist Christian Thompson will unveil a large-scale outdoor exhibition across town.

With its Wednesday, October 23–Sunday, November 10 dates getting closer, Melt has dropped its initial big batch of program details after unveiling a few bits and pieces since late 2023. Accordingly, the above events — and a heap more — join Spencer Tunick's nude photography work on the Story Bridge, plus Brisbane's first-ever River Pride Parade. The first will close down the famous structure to fill it with a cast of thousands sans clothes, while the second will float boats from William Jolly Bridge to Brisbane Powerhouse.

The news that Ellis-Bextor, who also played Melt 2022, is coming to Brisbane this year also isn't new. Fresh from the Saltburn buzz, she's supporting Take That at A Day on the Green at Sirromet Wines, all of which was announced earlier in 2024; however, now it's officially part of the Melt 2024 lineup.

If you're excited about partying like you're in Oz, Club Broadway: A Wicked Halloween Ball is your shindig, occurring while the stage musical is in town and around the time that the first of two Wicked movies hits cinemas. Expect drag queens, tributes to the show aplenty, chances to get interactive and star-studded performances. Or, if you're keen on turning a splash into one of Brisbane's long-standing pools — it dates back to 1925 — then hit up Colada Pool Party: Melt Edition, where there'll be drinks, plus house and dance music for you to make shapes to on the waterside astroturf dance floor.

Again diving into the complexities of identities deemed 'other', Thompson's addition to the program includes displaying new works on Brisbane Powerhouse's facade. From there, the lineup also features Hans: Disco Spektakulär!, The Ungrateful Bastards and The Lucky B*tches teaming up for a big night; the return of Halloween Hall for a DJ-soundtracked way to get spooky; Femme Follies Burlesque, which is led by queer artists and heroes the queer gaze; and James Barth's The Clumped Spirit exhibition.

Or, you can also enjoy alt.BIMBO as it focuses on the likes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, The Craft and Charmed, alongside AFAB, non-binary and trans artistic talent — and then sip tipples at the Real Housewives of Drag Brunch. Confidence Man, Mark Trevorrow and Rupert Noffs singing Stephen Sondheim, the Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub: they're all on the list, too, with more to come.

Melt Open was announced in 2023 as a fringe-style event to celebrate LGBTQIA+ art and performance everywhere from Fortitude Valley to Woolloongabba, showcasing queer work, talents, legends and allies. Brisbanites should already know that Brisbane Powerhouse has hosted Melt Festival for eight years and counting, with that event considered a predecessor to this newcomer. As its name makes plain, Melt Open is broadening its scope by building upon Melt's success — spreading beyond the Powerhouse, featuring more artists and venues, and operating as an open access-style shindig.

"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," explains Chair of the Melt Reference Group Luke Furness.

"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."

Jack Martin

Melt Festival 2024 will run from Wednesday, October 23–Sunday, November 10. Head to the festival website for additional information, and for tickets from 10am on Thursday, July 4.