Express Yourself – A Queer Musical Showcase Taking The Stage In Sydney
Emerging Australian queer musical talent will be taking the stage upstairs at the Beresford for Express Yourself – Queer Discovery on November 28.
Supported by Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras, the event will be set over three musical showcases and feature emerging queer artists and established headliners.
At the end of the series, a panel of judges will select two of the emerging artists to perform at a Mardi Gras event in 2021. Judges for the first showcase include legendary performer Marcia Hines, singer/songwriter Gordi, Producer Alex Hope, Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger and APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston.
Among the emerging artists is queer rapper, JamarzOnMarz whose track, Don’t Touch My Hair, inspired him to campaign for independent schools to put an end to uniform policies that discriminate against students with Afro-textured hair.
The petition quickly amassed over 24,000 names and received support from music-industry peers Jen Boyce (of Ball Park Music), Tuka (of Thundamentals), Cry Club, Alphamama and Temgazi.
In a statement provided to DNA, Jamarz said the event was an important one for the LGBTIQA musical community.
“It super important to amplify, support and uplift queer voices in music, so I’m really excited and thankful to be given this opportunity. Queer stories in music are important and they are not just for the queer community. Our stories can transcend and be appreciated by the masses and it’s opportunities like this that are helping to make that happen,” 22-year-old Jamarz said.
Jamaz will be joined by another emerging queer artist, Aya Yves and headliners, Montaigne and Brendan Maclean.
The first Express Yourself – Queer Discovery is taking place as a part of Great Southern Nights, a new music event to kick-start the recovery of the live music industry featuring 1,000 COVID-safe gigs across Sydney and Regional NSW throughout November. Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative delivered by Destination NSW in partnership with ARIA.
If you’ve got a talent for music, applications for the January showcase are now open.
Listen to Jamarz’ latest track, Tomorrow on Spotify.
