Are there any better Queer parties in Australia (read: the world) than BONEZ? We seriously doubt it, especially when they feature lineups this good...
Australia’s alternative Queer party BONEZ presents the QUEERS TO THE FRONT tour featuring drag legend Art Simone (RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under), heavy melodic band The Beautiful Monument, draglesque icon Ruby Slippers, plus special guests in each city.
If you’ve been living under a rock, BONEZ are the heart and soul of Australia’s alternative Queer community, famed for their riotous parties and festivals like the show-stopper they threw last New Year’s Eve at Northcote Social Club. Their parties are also always one of the true highlights of Australia’s biggest LGBTQI+ festivals such as Mardi Gras and WorldPride.
This April, BONEZ celebrates and brings together members of the LGBTIQA+ community and allies in a high-energy event with a unique punk rock sensibility, showcasing Australia’s best alternative Queer bands, drag, sideshow and burlesque. Keeping ticket prices low and accessible is important for BONEZ, so presale tickets are just $30!
BONEZ’ QUEERS TO THE FRONT tour
Friday April 12 – Brisbane/Meanjin
- Drag: Art Simone, Ruby Slippers, Theresa Problem, Lord Sev, Willow
- Bands: The Beautiful Monument, Worm Girlz
Saturday April 13 – Sydney/Gadigal
- Drag: Art Simone, Ruby Slippers, Theresa Problem, London Bridge
- Bands: The Beautiful Monument, A Swift Farewell
Saturday April 20 – Adelaide/Kaurna
- Drag: Art Simone, Ruby Slippers, Xai, Ariel Drop
- Bands: The Beautiful Monument, Pest Control
Saturday April 27 – Melbourne/Naarm (BONEZ Festival)
- Drag: Art Simone, Ruby Slippers, Theresa Problem, Xai, Alessa Evil
- Bands: The Beautiful Monument, Excuse for an Exit, A Swift Farewell, The Maggie Pills,
Baby Shower, Trauma Ties, Piano Punk
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
BONEZ Festival is returning to Naarm after an epic sold-out debut in 2023 with more bands, more drag and burlesque, DJs across two rooms, more market stalls plus tattooing by local Queer tattooist Ratu and Sydney’s Blood Daisy.
Thanks to their sponsors Heaps Normal and Dangerfield, in every city they’re giving away free Heaps Normal cans and merch plus Dangerfield vouchers for best dressed. Having support from Heaps Normal helps them provide free non-alcoholic options for sober and sober-curious attendees.
Art Simone
Art Simone has claimed her position at the forefront of the Aussie entertainment industry through creativity, humour, glitter and glam. Slaying stereotypes, celebrating differences and tirelessly promoting social inclusion, Art has helped move drag from margin to mainstream and she’s just getting started!
Performing professionally for over a decade, Art is not only a dynamic live performer but an in-demand media personality and social media powerhouse. She’s won titles, worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, has been globally celebrated for her incredible make-up looks, and launched WOWPresents Plus series ‘Highway To Heel! This was all before RuPaul’s Drag Race came knocking.
Aside from her personal accolades, Art is always focused on ensuring that drag reaches regional Australia. She’s been celebrated for creating safe spaces for the queer community and ensuring that pride is shared and celebrated where it’s needed most. From events in the outback to panels on diversity and inclusion, she’s pushing the envelope as “One of Australia’s most prominent LGBTQ+ game-changers” (The Australian) and will always push people to thrive in full drag.
The Beautiful Monument
The Beautiful Monument is known for their high-energy stage presence with a focus on “it’s okay to not be okay” with raw and emotional lyrics that grabs your attention and provokes feelings of catharsis and reflection.
The band’s debut and sophomore albums have received critical acclaim for their ability to connect with listeners on a deep and personal level. Hailing from Australia, The Beautiful Monument continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in music, offering fans a unique and impactful experience with every performance.
The Beautiful Monument have just finished supporting goth rock icons Evanescence on an arena tour across Australia and are now ready to be co headlining the BONEZ tour in April 2024.
Ruby Slippers
Ruby Slippers is a high-femme kaleidoscopic cyclone of extroversion and light perversion, she lives by the motto that you’re either Dorothy, or you’re the twister. She’s campy yet vampy, a clown-in-a-gown, burlesque supervillain and drag disruptor.
A serial name-dropper, she’s shared a stage with Amanda Lepore, Brooke Candy, The Boulet Brothers and Boy George, Michelle Visage has called her work “incredible” and Courtney Act once told her she looked stunning. Enough said.
What are you waiting for? Get tickets here before they sell out!
