ARIA Award-winning pop sensation Joanne Accom – best known simply as Joanne – is set to take over upstairs at the Beresford Hotel on Sunday, April 20, bringing serious sparkle to your Easter Sunday.
Joanne first shot to fame in 1998 with her cover of Jackie, a song originally written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly for the 1987 film Summer School and first recorded by Elisa Fiorillo.
The track was later covered by UK band Blue Zone – fronted by Lisa Stansfield – whose version Joanne emulated in her breakout release.
Issued as B.Z. featuring Joanne, her rendition became an instant Australian club anthem, soaring to No. 3 on the ARIA charts and winning the ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single in 1999. The track still fills dancefloors across the country to this day.
She followed it up with a string of dance-pop hits, including Are You Ready, So Damn Fine, and Busted, cementing her legacy in Australia’s dance-pop scene and enduring popularity in queer clubs.
The Beresford has long been a go-to venue for pop royalty and surprise appearances. Over the years, it has welcomed performances from artists like Kylie Minogue, Samantha Jade, Michael Bolton, Amy Shark, Nick Cave, The Potbelleez and many more – whether at exclusive private events or electric public gigs.
Joanne returns to the Beresford after performing at a Pump! The 90s Party with DJ Adam Love in 2023, reaffirming her place among a glittering lineup of talent that has included Vanessa Amorosi, who performed upstairs in 2019, and UK dance legend Tina Cousins, who lit up the Mardi Gras Laneway party in 2022.
With the Easter long weekend just around the corner, Joanne’s show promises to be sweaty, nostalgic and loud.
Organisers say to expect a high-energy, interactive show packed with mashups, medleys and disco house remixes of your fave vocal anthems – from the ’90s to now. And yes, you will be screaming: “Jac, Jac, Jackie!”
Rounding out the night are DJs Adam Love, Alex Taylor, Franklin Scia, Amanda Louise, Nate, Joelby and Colin Gaff. Doors open early and it’s likely to be a busy one – so if you’re planning to catch Joanne live, aim to arrive early.
The exact time of Joanne’s performance hasn’t been disclosed, though Sunday sets at the Beresford typically kick off after the 6–8pm happy hour, leaning later into the evening.
Correction: An earlier version of this story may have implied that this is Joanne’s first performance at the Beresford. We’ve since updated the article to clarify that she last performed at the venue in 2023.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
