Mode Festival is going full party mode this October with a transcendental lineup, an island venue and a focus on the connective powers of the underground dance community.
It’s almost not fair to all the other dance festivals that are happening over the upcoming summer to have to follow up after Mode Festival. Unleashing their party on October 5 in Melbourne and October 12 in Sydney, Mode is taking over the country’s two biggest cities for a day of music, art and cultural innovation. A day, rest assured, like you’ve never experienced at a festival before.
This year may only mark Mode Festival’s third edition, but the event has already cemented itself as a stalwart on the Australian festival circuit. With a bold vision focused on innovative music and visual art, and a lineup to back it up, this contemporary springtime festival is out to prove that the festival scene is well and truly alive in this country. The beating heart of it? You can find that on the dancefloors at Mode.
Mode Festival
- October 5 (Melbourne) and October 12 (Sydney)
- PICA, Melbourne and Cockatoo Island, Sydney
- Tickets here
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Word to the wise, this is no ordinary festival. Mode will be taking place at two very special locations across Naarm and Eora. Melbourne’s festivities, in true Naarm fashion, are unfolding at the expansive warehouse space of the Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts (PICA) on October 5. Sydney, however, is a whole other story.
Festival mode: activated
Eora’s edition of the festival on October 12 will be taking place at Cockatoo Island. Cockatoo Island holds immense cultural significance for the Wallumedegal, Wangal, Cammeraygal, and Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, making it a deeply important space within the broader Eora context.
Having endured years of deterioration and disrespect, transitioning from a penal colony to a symbol of First Nations’ resistance to the impacts of colonisation, the team behind Mode Festival will celebrate the ongoing importance of this site on October 12.
That is to say, five stages, over two dozen music-makers, two after-parties, all across one single day. And that’s all without even mentioning the mouth-watering local food and beverages (with Pizza Oltra and Good Ways suppling the goods), a natty wine bar and the 7 art installations. The final cherry on top? How about a backdrop of Sydney Harbour as you party your heart out.
A lineup to end all lineups
The festival’s roster of talent already boasts 28 music-makers hitting the stage across the two locations, as well as stage hostings from High Note (Melbourne only), Inner West Reggae Disco Machine (Sydney only) and Resident Advisor (Sydney only). There’ll also be an arts programme that will be elevating the visual experience and aesthetic atmosphere of the festival to new heights, so keep your eyes tuned to Mode for updates.
The music, though, is the blood pumping this beast alive. There’s as many international special guests on the lineup as there is Aussies, and the labels these artists herald from are just as diverse.
Read on to find out who’s turning the music mode up to the maximum at Mode.
Angus Mills (Sydney only)
Sydney local Angus Mills makes music that knows no generic bounds. Club sensibilities are intertwined with atmospheric soundscapes that are sure to lift you right from Cockatoo Island to heaven.
baschoe (Sydney only)
Another one for the Cockatoo Island heads, baschoe is gearing up to transform the dancefloor into a sonic playground. Renowned for the connection they foster between selector and audience, baschoe is not one to miss.
Bored Lord
All the way from California, Daria Lourd (AKA Bored Lord) has reached into every corner of the electronic scene. From underground raves to her own personal Bandcamp, she’s now reaching into the airwaves of Mode.
Chlär (Sydney only)
Cockatoo Island are in for a treat with Berlin icon Chlär going all hands on the decks. This German national knows how to connect to a crowd, effortlessly guiding the dancefloor like some kind of DJ Pied Piper.
Claire O’Brien (Sydney only)
Australia’s own Claire O’Brien is going to show Cockatoo Island what she’s made of with her gooey sensuality and infectious rhythms. Having played at many of the country’s favourite festivals, she knows how to make a dance floor go wild.
Club Angel
Another Sydney local is gearing up to alight the Mode dancefloor. Gabriel Espinosa (AKA Club Angel) takes inspiration from late 90s UK dance music and all things to get the heart beating up a storm.
Danielle
Bristol-based Danielle is a selector of the upmost supreme. Hitting up both dancefloors across Mode’s two locations, no one has to miss out on this hard-hitting master.
DJ PGZ
An Aussie icon, Gunai/Kurnai and Yorta Yorta artist DJ PGZ is beloved by all who are lucky enough to pay witness to the craft that is his deejaying. Watch a masterclass of music unfold – in other words, watch DJ PGZ spin some tracks.
DJ Possum & Myles Mac (Melbourne only)
These two Melbourne locals will be making an appearance at Melbourne Mode. DJ Possum and Myles Mac are sure to hypnotise you with their diverse exploration of soundwave possibilities.
DJ Swisha
From New York to down under, Mode Festival attendees won’t be able to resist a dance as DJ Swisha reaches far and wide across genres to provide the goods.
DVS1
Another American national on the lineup, DVS1 knows how to get the party started. As one of the most revered DJs in the world, there’s no missing this legend light up the dancefloor.
ealing b2b E3P
Two stars collide to create an explosion no one will be prepared for. ealing and E3P are the superstar back-to-back duo that will be setting Mode Festival on fire this October.
Gorgon Sound
There’s no missing out on this epic set. Gorgon Sound is delivering the sound system reggae project of your dreams to Mode this year.
Jasper Tygner [DJ]
An emerging star in the sonic universe, catch this London-based live artist/producer at Mode before he blows out to epic porpotions.
Jeshi [live]
Another London artist, Jeshi is going to be doing nothing short of stunning Mode Festival-goers with music from his heavy-hitting debut album, Universal Credit.
Mabel
Mabel is exactly what Mode needs on their lineup. This Melbournian merges psytrance with progressive house, plus some breakbeat and tech house stirred into the mix. In other words: epic party incoming.
Maurice Fulton
Talk about icons. This legendary British production genius is making a much-anticipated appearance at Mode in October. Don’t miss out – you’ll regret it later.
Naram [live] (Sydney only)
Having moved across the ditch from Aotearoa many moons ago, Naram is no stranger to Melbourne’s music scene. The convergence of digital synths, keyboards and effects, instruments are no match for what this artist can do to them.
Om Unit
Mode Festival has seen nothing yet – not until electronic music pioneer Jim Coles takes the desks, that is. This set is promised to be as bold and daring as it will be unforgettable.
Pearson Sound
Dark rhythmic grooves, complex percussive arrangements and exacting melodic details are what you can expect from this stalwart of sound in October.
Rhyw [live]
From one half of Cassegrain to holding down the fort completely as Rhyw, this Welsh-Greek extraordinaire is on his way to Mode to show Aussies what he’s made of. Spoiler: he’s made of the stuff of sonic dreams.
Rochelle Jordan [live]
Canadian Rochelle Jordan – or, as fans know her, ROJO – reaches back in time to transport her musical influences into a futuristic experimentation of innovative music. Think: vintage UK house meets 31st century electronic bangers.
Roza Terenzi
Mode has hit sonic gold with the addition of much beloved Australian-come-Berlin icon Roza Terenzi. Catch this legend while she’s back down under and dance like she never left.
Stev Zar (Melbourne only)
A Melbourne local for a Melbourne exclusive at Mode in Ocotber, Stev Zar should be top of your list if you’re hitting up the festival at PICA.
Sweely [live]
Festival goers will j’adore this French producer. Many describe Sweely as one of the most creative producers of the new generation of taste-makers.
Tommy Holohan
It’ll be no surprise to any fans of the producer Tommy Holohan that this Dublin native will be bringing nothing but grooves and moves to the dancefloors of Mode. Already spearheading the Irish rave revival scene, Australia is probably not prepared for what Tommy has in store.
Vv Pete [live]
Hot tip: make it down to Vv Pete’s set early. This queen of rap is going to show Mode what she’s made of, so the dance floor is sure to blow up to a full-on party.
Young Marco
No subgenre of club music is safe with Dutch expert Young Marco at the reigns. Young Marco takes inspiration from across the sonic universe to develop his signature trance-inducing sound. You just know that this is going to be one of the most epic sets at Mode.
Grab your ticket to Mode Festival for Sydney or Melbourne now.
This article was made in partnership with Mode Festival.
