Porn music: DJs of Sleaze

Playing at this year’s Sleaze is a dream come true for DJ Mike Kelly. The 25-year-old has applied to perform at the annual party every year since he was 21 and this is the first time he’s been accepted.

I’ve wanted to do Sleaze for a long time, said Kelly. As most local queer DJs will testify, Sleaze and Mardi Gras are the two biggies in our scene. The rooms are enormous, the crowd is primed and sex is in the air.

Sex will definitely be in the air this year as the party’s theme is Porn.

Kelly is stoked to be playing in the Hordern alongside Mandy Rollins and Sveta, who he says are two of the finest DJs in this country.

Shigeki, Neal Crawford and Ryan Murphy will be behind the decks in the Royal Hall of Industries (RHI), while Jimmy Dee and Stephen Blomfield will be playing in Sleaze’s first ever retro space.

Party organisers New Mardi Gras are keeping the venue for the retro space a secret until the big night on Saturday 2 October, with a spokesperson telling Sydney Star Observer, We want to have a few surprises this year.

Kelly said he’s relieved to be playing one of the earliest sets at the event. I find it quite scary playing late in the proceedings. There’s always a fear I might clear the room and send people home. Also, most often the energy is generally on the decline.

However, if I get on early I get to be part of the -˜going up’ stage of the evening, which is really rewarding, Kelly said, adding he’ll be playing a mash-up of progressive, breaks, tribal, tech and funky house.

Tickets are available now from Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au or 9266 4800. Early bird tickets to the party are available prior to Friday 3 September or until 4,000 tickets have been sold. They cost $85 for NMG members, $95 for non-members and $60 concession. From then on tickets will cost $105 for NMG members, $115 for non-members and $70 concession.