Australia's alternative music scene is home to some of the world's most inspiring, innovative, driven and entertaining LGBTQI+ acts. Since 2017, Melbourne's BONEZ Alternative Queer Party has been providing a safe and inclusive stage for these exciting emerging talents to perform on, with live performances from the likes of Cry Club, The Last Martyr, Excuse For An Exit providing the ultimate party starter for the best alternative queer party the city has to offer. Those performances take place in front of a crowd full of LGBTQI+ partygoers and supportive allies, all ready to dance the night away. The live music is followed by everything from live lipsync battles to DJ sets and burlesque performances, all adding up to an epic, inclusive night out for all involved.
Ahead of the next BONEZ Alternative Queer Party on March 19th, we had a chat with director Sunny Dial about what inspired BONEZ, how it is going so far, what the plans for the future of BONEZ are and the importance of LGBTQI+ representation in the alternative music community. We also ask Sunny to provide a list of Top 10 Aussie LGBTQI+ artists, which we've turned into a playlist you can stream at the bottom of the interview.
What inspired you to start BONEZ?
As a Queer person who loves Alternative music and was heavily involved in the music scene, I honestly felt a little left out. There wasn’t a place where I could play gigs to my community, and there wasn’t a club where I felt comfortable dancing, enjoying my favourite music and meeting people like me. I knew that many other Queer people would feel the same way so I decided to creative a safe and inclusive space for the Alternative Queer community to come together to celebrate, see Queer bands and performers and party to their favourite music.
How has the experience of running BONEZ been so far, it seems like every time you have an event, it is bigger than the last?
It’s been an incredible adventure. I started it in 2017 with no money but a lot of motivation and passion to create a safe and inclusive event, and I’m so proud that it’s now become a second home for so many Queer people including myself.
I've attended a few events myself before and I've always been impressed by how at home and at ease everyone in attendance feels, be they queer, ally, performer, attendee etc. Is that something that you pride yourselves on?
Absolutely! As soon as guests arrive they receive a free pronoun pin so they feel comfortable with their identity which is my biggest priority for the BONEZ community. I’ve noticed how supportive the crowd are of all our performers and how many people become friends at each event and it melts my heart. I LOVE IT! I also love meeting as many people as I can and getting to know the wonderful people who support BONEZ.
Representation of the LGBTQI+ community in the Aussie music industry is improving and many acts are thriving, do you feel like we're on the verge of making a permanent change for the better?
It is really amazing to see the industry involving and supporting more LGBTQI+ and POC people, wether that be artists or legends working behind the scenes and I think the industry has a bright future ahead.
What's something that allies can do to help speed up that progress?
I believe that those working in the industry should consider giving more opportunities to Queer businesses, artists, photographers etc. Involving our community in projects, making events and gigs inclusive and actively supporting your local Queers are all very important ways to continue making a positive change to our industry.
BONEZ hosts live bands as part of every event, so you're definitely qualified to help guide our Maniacs to some fresh new queer bands. Who are your current top 10 Aussie LGBTQI+ acts?
SCABZ, Cry Club, Excuse for an Exit, The Buoys, Alter Boy, Hoodzy, Being Jane Lane, Witch Spit, Second Idol, The Last Martyr.
That's an awesome list, we'll include a track by each in a playlist below. Before we let you go Sunny, let the Maniacs know, when is the next BONEZ Queer Alternative Party?
"Saturday, March 19 at Stay Gold. I’m SO excited for this because it’s a My Chemical Romance night! Yes, that totally means we’re having My Chemical Romance themed Burlesque and Drag"
Listen to Sunny Dial's Top 10 Aussie LGBTQI+ Artists
