Performance artists, freak puppets: The strange battle to revive our nights out
This story is part of the June 14 edition of Good Weekend. See all 14 stories.
Not since Melbourne's boy from Sunshine, the late Leigh Bowery, stormed London's '80s club scene in a floral gimp mask, matching ball gown and jaunty, spiked Pickelhelm, has a night out been quite so eye-popping. A new generation of 'Club Kids' is defying the demise of Australian nightlife. Millennials, Gen Zs and a couple of Xers are flocking to avant-garde-themed club nights, from the risqué Heaps Gay parties in Sydney to the mayhem of Melbourne's subversive, grotesque Golden Scissor Puppets.
Sydney filmmaker and club promoter Dan Neeson, who started out as a tea boy on a Kylie Minogue video, is the son (and spitting image) of Aussie rock legend Doc Neeson of The Angels. Neeson and his partner, fashion designer Alvi Chung, are behind the club-night Wings, which combines performance art (including naked acrobats), music and fashion. Last month, they held a counter-offensive to 'corporatised' Australian Fashion Week at millionaire-publican Diane Maloney's lavishly refurbished, art-deco Plaza Hotel in the heart of Sydney. It was a hit.
Models for Ella Jackson's label, Catholic Guilt – a favourite of US starlet Julia Fox – wore chainmail couture, which inspired seasoned socialite and Real Housewives of Sydney alumni, Terry Biviano, to rush backstage to get one. She wore the 15-kilogram gown to the swanky Silver Party fundraiser at Justin Hemmes' Hermitage estate a few days later. Afterwards, Minichiello used pliers to get her out of the creation, which took 700 hours to make.
'Rave, runway, ritual: we're the antithesis of the big, corporate-owned, soulless beer barns that have taken over our cities,' says Neeson, who credits his late father for inspiring him 'to think big' and calls Maloney his 'fairy godmother' for her generosity with the venue. Neeson and Chung are planning a Melbourne Wings launch, but they'll meet competition from the likes of locals Will and Garrett Huxley's high-camp duo act, The Huxleys, as well as newcomer Opal Crafter, founder of Golden Scissor Puppets and creator of the life-size puppet, Igor.
Crafter's troupe of 50 'freak' puppets create chaos as the giant, not-so-cuddly creatures glide across stages, interrupting performances and taking over dance floors. Crafter says it's all intended to 'make people smile'. 'We're from a generation of AI perfection,' Crafter says, citing Leigh Bowery as a creative inspiration. 'We create a space for the imperfect, for the hand-made, and celebrate everything that's human in all its wonderful, weird variations.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
AC/DC fans in High Voltage frenzy ahead of Aussie tour
Aussie fans are thunderstruck after hearing the news rock legends AC/DC are gearing up for a long-awaited homecoming tour. It's the first time in a decade the band will light up stadiums across the nation, and excitement is spilling over from fans' social media pages to venues like Melbourne's Cherry Bar. Bar owner James Young says the nightspot, which spent two decades on ACDC Lane before recently relocating, was where the band received its gold records for the hit tracks TNT and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap in 1976. Mr Young has seen the legendary band 17 times and is thrilled the Power Up tour is finally coming home. "You shouldn't die without having seen AC/DC," he told AAP. Original band member Angus Young will lead the charge, joined by longstanding vocalist Brian Johnson, Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, drummer Matt Laug, and bassist Chris Chaney. It will be a busy end to 2025 for music fans, with reunited rock band Oasis and Metallica also playing shows across Australia from October. Mr Young has already booked what he calls the best tribute band for that weekend. "It's just going to be absolutely bonkers," he said. Joining the tour will be special guests Amyl and the Sniffers, the Australian rock band that's had a stand-out year, taking home Song of the Year at the 2025 APRA Music Awards. The tour has even caught the attention of the City of Melbourne. It has hinted AC/DC might recreate the famous It's a Long Way to the Top music video - showing the band performing on the back of a truck on Swanston Street - either later this year or as part of the video's 50th anniversary in 2026. "Melbourne is a live music capital of the world. Recreating this iconic moment on Swanston Street will be unforgettable," Lord Mayor Nick Reece said. It won't be easy for concertgoers though, with Ticketek issuing a warning ahead of the highly anticipated sale, advising fans to be up bright and early to join its virtual queue if they hope to secure tickets. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday at staggered local times, with Sydney from 9am followed by Brisbane at 11am, Melbourne at 1pm and Perth at 1pm (AWST). To improve their chances, the company shared several tips: use only one device and one browser to access the sale, avoid refreshing your browser while in the queue, and be ready to check out quickly. Ticketek urged customers to only purchase tickets from its website and warned against buying from third-party resellers. The tour opens at Melbourne's MCG on November 12 before heading to Sydney on November 21, Adelaide on November 30, Perth on December 4 and Brisbane on December 14. Aussie fans are thunderstruck after hearing the news rock legends AC/DC are gearing up for a long-awaited homecoming tour. It's the first time in a decade the band will light up stadiums across the nation, and excitement is spilling over from fans' social media pages to venues like Melbourne's Cherry Bar. Bar owner James Young says the nightspot, which spent two decades on ACDC Lane before recently relocating, was where the band received its gold records for the hit tracks TNT and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap in 1976. Mr Young has seen the legendary band 17 times and is thrilled the Power Up tour is finally coming home. "You shouldn't die without having seen AC/DC," he told AAP. Original band member Angus Young will lead the charge, joined by longstanding vocalist Brian Johnson, Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, drummer Matt Laug, and bassist Chris Chaney. It will be a busy end to 2025 for music fans, with reunited rock band Oasis and Metallica also playing shows across Australia from October. Mr Young has already booked what he calls the best tribute band for that weekend. "It's just going to be absolutely bonkers," he said. Joining the tour will be special guests Amyl and the Sniffers, the Australian rock band that's had a stand-out year, taking home Song of the Year at the 2025 APRA Music Awards. The tour has even caught the attention of the City of Melbourne. It has hinted AC/DC might recreate the famous It's a Long Way to the Top music video - showing the band performing on the back of a truck on Swanston Street - either later this year or as part of the video's 50th anniversary in 2026. "Melbourne is a live music capital of the world. Recreating this iconic moment on Swanston Street will be unforgettable," Lord Mayor Nick Reece said. It won't be easy for concertgoers though, with Ticketek issuing a warning ahead of the highly anticipated sale, advising fans to be up bright and early to join its virtual queue if they hope to secure tickets. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday at staggered local times, with Sydney from 9am followed by Brisbane at 11am, Melbourne at 1pm and Perth at 1pm (AWST). To improve their chances, the company shared several tips: use only one device and one browser to access the sale, avoid refreshing your browser while in the queue, and be ready to check out quickly. Ticketek urged customers to only purchase tickets from its website and warned against buying from third-party resellers. The tour opens at Melbourne's MCG on November 12 before heading to Sydney on November 21, Adelaide on November 30, Perth on December 4 and Brisbane on December 14. Aussie fans are thunderstruck after hearing the news rock legends AC/DC are gearing up for a long-awaited homecoming tour. It's the first time in a decade the band will light up stadiums across the nation, and excitement is spilling over from fans' social media pages to venues like Melbourne's Cherry Bar. Bar owner James Young says the nightspot, which spent two decades on ACDC Lane before recently relocating, was where the band received its gold records for the hit tracks TNT and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap in 1976. Mr Young has seen the legendary band 17 times and is thrilled the Power Up tour is finally coming home. "You shouldn't die without having seen AC/DC," he told AAP. Original band member Angus Young will lead the charge, joined by longstanding vocalist Brian Johnson, Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, drummer Matt Laug, and bassist Chris Chaney. It will be a busy end to 2025 for music fans, with reunited rock band Oasis and Metallica also playing shows across Australia from October. Mr Young has already booked what he calls the best tribute band for that weekend. "It's just going to be absolutely bonkers," he said. Joining the tour will be special guests Amyl and the Sniffers, the Australian rock band that's had a stand-out year, taking home Song of the Year at the 2025 APRA Music Awards. The tour has even caught the attention of the City of Melbourne. It has hinted AC/DC might recreate the famous It's a Long Way to the Top music video - showing the band performing on the back of a truck on Swanston Street - either later this year or as part of the video's 50th anniversary in 2026. "Melbourne is a live music capital of the world. Recreating this iconic moment on Swanston Street will be unforgettable," Lord Mayor Nick Reece said. It won't be easy for concertgoers though, with Ticketek issuing a warning ahead of the highly anticipated sale, advising fans to be up bright and early to join its virtual queue if they hope to secure tickets. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday at staggered local times, with Sydney from 9am followed by Brisbane at 11am, Melbourne at 1pm and Perth at 1pm (AWST). To improve their chances, the company shared several tips: use only one device and one browser to access the sale, avoid refreshing your browser while in the queue, and be ready to check out quickly. Ticketek urged customers to only purchase tickets from its website and warned against buying from third-party resellers. The tour opens at Melbourne's MCG on November 12 before heading to Sydney on November 21, Adelaide on November 30, Perth on December 4 and Brisbane on December 14. Aussie fans are thunderstruck after hearing the news rock legends AC/DC are gearing up for a long-awaited homecoming tour. It's the first time in a decade the band will light up stadiums across the nation, and excitement is spilling over from fans' social media pages to venues like Melbourne's Cherry Bar. Bar owner James Young says the nightspot, which spent two decades on ACDC Lane before recently relocating, was where the band received its gold records for the hit tracks TNT and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap in 1976. Mr Young has seen the legendary band 17 times and is thrilled the Power Up tour is finally coming home. "You shouldn't die without having seen AC/DC," he told AAP. Original band member Angus Young will lead the charge, joined by longstanding vocalist Brian Johnson, Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, drummer Matt Laug, and bassist Chris Chaney. It will be a busy end to 2025 for music fans, with reunited rock band Oasis and Metallica also playing shows across Australia from October. Mr Young has already booked what he calls the best tribute band for that weekend. "It's just going to be absolutely bonkers," he said. Joining the tour will be special guests Amyl and the Sniffers, the Australian rock band that's had a stand-out year, taking home Song of the Year at the 2025 APRA Music Awards. The tour has even caught the attention of the City of Melbourne. It has hinted AC/DC might recreate the famous It's a Long Way to the Top music video - showing the band performing on the back of a truck on Swanston Street - either later this year or as part of the video's 50th anniversary in 2026. "Melbourne is a live music capital of the world. Recreating this iconic moment on Swanston Street will be unforgettable," Lord Mayor Nick Reece said. It won't be easy for concertgoers though, with Ticketek issuing a warning ahead of the highly anticipated sale, advising fans to be up bright and early to join its virtual queue if they hope to secure tickets. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday at staggered local times, with Sydney from 9am followed by Brisbane at 11am, Melbourne at 1pm and Perth at 1pm (AWST). To improve their chances, the company shared several tips: use only one device and one browser to access the sale, avoid refreshing your browser while in the queue, and be ready to check out quickly. Ticketek urged customers to only purchase tickets from its website and warned against buying from third-party resellers. The tour opens at Melbourne's MCG on November 12 before heading to Sydney on November 21, Adelaide on November 30, Perth on December 4 and Brisbane on December 14.
9 News
3 hours ago
- 9 News
AC/DC to headline Adelaide 500 supercars event
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here SA's premier has confirmed iconic rock band AC/DC will be the headline act for the Adelaide 500 supercars event in November. Peter Malinauskas says the coup, first revealed by 9News last week, followed 18 months of negotiations. "It will dramatically elevate the status of the event on the streets of Adelaide," he said. For $99 fans will be able to go to the Supercars Grand Final on Sunday and see an AC/DC at the same time. (Nine) He said that for $99 fans will be able to go to the Supercars Grand Final on Sunday and see an AC/DC at the same time. "So it will be two for the price of one," Malinauskas said. A taxpayer-funded incentive is understood to have been part of the agreement to bring AC/DC to Adelaide as part of their Australian tour. "We believe it's an investment that is worthwhile given our ability to recoup the revenue," the premier said. Tickets for the BP Adelaide Grand Final, including access to the AC/DC concert, will go on sale from 10am on Thursday. (Nine) 9News understands the Adelaide Oval was considered as a potential venue, but logistical challenges associated with moving the supercars crowd led to the decision to host the concert in the parklands. "This is potentially the last time they will playing live in Australia and we have got the only festival-style event," Malinauskus said. Tickets for the BP Adelaide Grand Final, including access to the AC/DC concert, will go on sale from 10am on Thursday. This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress . national Adelaide South Australia music CONTACT US
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
AC/DC announce first Australian tour since 2015
AC/DC have announced their first Australian tour in a decade. The PWR UP tour is heading to the hard rock legends' home country later this year, with the Aussie leg of the stadium jaunt kicking off on November 12 in Melbourne, before heading to Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and wrapping in Brisbane on December 14. Australian punk rockers Amyl and the Sniffers will support the Thunderstuck rockers. Frontwoman Amy Taylor has been left awe-struck after landing the support slot with "the best rock and roll band in the world". She penned on Instagram: 'AC/DC! The best rock and roll band in the world. I just can't believe it. I am so excited. 'Never ever ever would have dreamed this. Highlight of my literal life like wow can you believe it.' The huge opening gig is a full-circle moment for the group, with Amy adding: 'Five years ago we covered the same three AC/DC songs on the back of a truck up the Canning Highway [Perth] for two hours straight. A band's music that's been weaved through my wholeeeeee life." She gushed: 'Mainly just excited to see them play multiple times. (sic)" Tickets go on general sale on Thursday (26.06.25) at 10am local time via Ticketmaster. The tour is in support of the band's 2020 studio album Power Up. AC/DC's current lineup comprises guitarist Angus Young, vocalist Brian Johnson, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and bassist Chris Chaney. AC/DC's PWR UP Australian 2025 tour dates: NOVEMBER 12 – Melbourne – Melbourne Cricket Ground 21 – Sydney – Accord Stadium 30 – Adelaide – bp Adelaide Grand Final DECEMBER 04 – Perth – Optus Stadium 14 – Brisbane – Suncorp Stadium
