APRA AMCOS and Mardi Gras join forces for ‘Queer Discovery’ talent quest

Get out your glitter guns and fanciest footwear. APRA AMCOS and Mardi Gras are searching the country for the next generation of queer music stars.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has teamed up with the rights society for “Express Yourself – Queer Discovery,” a showcase series that will identify the best new talent in the queer creative community.

Applications are now open for LGBTQI+ artist, with two hopefuls selected to perform alongside an established headliner to a room of industry heavyweights and the general public. 

All told, performers will get their chance at three showcase events in the coming months.

A panel of guest judges from the LGBTQI+ community and industry experts will choose the talent, who will go on to perform at a Mardi Gras event in 2021.

If you’re a “budding Troye Sivan, can sing with the quiet sincerity of Courtney Barnett or spit rhymes like Miss Blanks – now is your chance,” reads a statement.

“Mardi Gras is invested in the development of LGBTQI+ artists,” comments Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger.

“We’re incredibly excited to be teaming up with APRA AMCOS to host the ‘Express Yourself – Queer Discovery’ showcases and present new queer performers directly to industry leaders. We hope the experience has a lasting impact on the careers of the performers.”

The first showcase will take place at Sydney’s iconic The Beresford Upstairs on Saturday, 28th November, with more details to be announced in the weeks ahead.

Finalists will be paid a $1,000 flat fee for their performance.

ANNOUNCING: Are YOU an emerging LGBTQI+ artist? Mardi Gras and @APRAAMCOS are supporting the next queer music star with Express Yourself – Queer Discovery! ????https://t.co/l6CVpEnRZV

— Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (@sydneymardigras) October 12, 2020

APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston adds, “Mardi Gras’ reach goes well beyond the Sydney based parade and party, and we’re really thrilled to partner in supporting emerging LGBTQI+ artists. At a time when there is great intolerance in the world we need to lean in and demonstrate the enormous

Applications close 5pm AEDT Tuesday, 27th October and the chosen few be notified by Friday, 6th November.

Visit APRAAMCOS.com.au to apply.

CEO @deanapra said: "We’re really thrilled to partner in supporting emerging LGBTQI+ artists. At a time when there is great intolerance in the world we need to lean in and demonstrate the enormous potential of diversity and inclusion in our industry, and the wider community." https://t.co/YiDL45G84V

— APRA AMCOS (@APRAAMCOS) October 12, 2020

Planning is well underway for the 2021 festival.

The 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival will commence on Friday, 19 February, through to Sunday, 7 March.

As it stands, Fair Day will take place on Sunday, 21st February, 2021, with the Parade & Party held on Saturday, 6th March.

The City of Sydney has confirmed funding for Mardi Gras in 2021 and 2022, and the festival team will work closely with NSW Health for guidance on COVID protocols.

More than 12,600 participants marched at this year’s parade, which featured almost 200 floats.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.