A new LGBTQIA+ music festival is set to take over Sydney later this year in what organisers say will be the largest of its kind in Australia in 2025.
RAYDIA Festival will be held on Saturday, November 15, at The Domain, the large open public space on the eastern edge of Sydney’s CBD, and will be an 18+ event.
The seven-hour day-to-night event is being organised by Alex Daoust, executive producer of the 2023 Sydney WorldPride Domain Dance Party – the highest-selling event of that festival, with more than 21,000 people attending.
“Australia has been missing a major moment for the LGBTQIA+ community at the start of summer and RAYDIA is here to change that,” said Daoust. “This is the next evolution of LGBTQIA+ festivals in Australia and everyone is welcome.”
RAYDIA will be curated by US-based Australian DJ and producer Dan Slater, who also curated and performed at the Domain Dance Party. He’s returning to the decks again in November.
“I’ve been fortunate to DJ at nearly every major queer festival around the globe, and trust me, RAYDIA is going to be one for the books,” Slater said. “I can’t wait for you all to experience what we have lined up. It might still be July, but let’s be real – it’s never too early to get pumped for the summer party season.”
As previously reported by Gay Sydney News, hosting events at The Domain comes with a hefty price tag. During WorldPride 2023, policing costs alone amounted to $167,810, making it the most expensive event charged by police during the festival.
Festival costs have been a major hurdle for event operators across Australia, with several major events – including Splendour in the Grass, Listen Out, and Groovin the Moo – cancelling their 2025 seasons due to rising expenses.
But Daoust says the appetite for large-scale queer events remains strong.
“The challenge for festivals is finding your community and bringing them together in a meaningful way,” he said. “For us, that means focusing on our LGBTQIA+ audience – a community we know very well (because we’re a part of it) and who want to show up.”
Daoust told Gay Sydney News that RAYDIA will carry a similar energy to the Domain Dance Party.
“You’ll know the words to the songs, you’ll bump into people you haven’t seen in ages, and you’ll feel like you can choose your own adventure… whether that’s sitting on the grass watching the sun set behind the CBD skyline or dancing wide at the front of the stage,” he said.
While the full line-up is yet to be announced, one name apart from Slater has been revealed: Italian DJ Manuel Coby, a circuit favourite who has performed at XLSIOR Festival in Mykonos and Circuit Festival in Barcelona. His sets blend progressive and tribal house with melodic vocals to create a high-energy experience.
More local and international artists, including RAYDIA’s headlining vocalist, will be announced in the coming weeks.
RAYDIA is presented in partnership with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Botanic Gardens of Sydney and Moshtix.
Pre-sale tickets go live at 12pm on Tuesday, July 29. Early bird general admission tickets are priced at $119 plus booking fee, with VIP and fast pass options also available. A limited number of $59 “Red Hot RAYDIA” tickets will be offered to the first 100 buyers as part of the presale.
Pre-sale ends at 11am on Thursday, July 31, or when allocations are exhausted. General public ticket sales begin at 12pm the same day.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
