New Gay Sydney Party, “Fernando”, Debuts At Trough X This Weekend

A cheeky new dance party is hitting Sydney’s gaybourhood this weekend, with Club “Fernando” to make its debut at Trough X on Saturday, September 12. Kicking off from 10pm, the event is marketing itself as a playful, unserious, non-cruising event, one that’s free for the dolls, and anyone named Fernando.

“Fernando is a feeling,” reads Fernando’s official Instagram page. “It doesn’t stick to one genre. House, tribal, techno, queer dance music. Whatever feels fun and sexy in the moment. Except circuit.”

Fernando’s founder, Dan Azzo, told the Star Observer he wanted to create exactly the kind of party he wanted to go to.

“I love Sydney’s queer nightlife,” Dan said, “but I felt there was room for something really music-forward that didn’t take itself too seriously. A party where the dancefloor is the main event, but the whole thing still feels fun and playful.

“From the beginning, I wanted Fernando to feel more like a character than just an event: a little flirty, kind of curious, unexpected and a bit unhinged, but still welcoming. I also wanted it to be open to interpretation, so people could walk in and make their own sense of Fernando.”

Dan went on to highlight the importance of supporting queer night life, and how it was essential to him that the launch took place at an LGBTQ+-owned venue. 

“These spaces only survive if we actually use them,” said Dan, “and supporting queer nightlife can sometimes be as simple as turning up, buying a ticket and dancing until 4am.”

Fernando’s Line-Up

As for the DJ line up, expect to see the likes of @alex.diwa, @celinanunezx, @dan_azzo, @friedporkchop888, @balconyhealer, @izkbnk, and @onli_ljd. Though, if you’re after set times, you’re out of luck. The official advice is come early, and be surprised.

“These are all artists I trust, who inspire me, and who I genuinely enjoy listening to,” said Dan. “They each have their own point of view and a really clear identity behind what they play, which was important to me. I didn’t want a line-up where anyone felt interchangeable.

“What makes the line-up exciting to me is that everyone brings something different. Across the two dancefloors you’ll move through different shades of house, techno, tribal house and queer dance music, while still feeling like it all belongs within the same world.”

Izaäk (@izkbnk) — who will be performing beside his DJ husband ONLI (@onli_ljd) under his tattooing moniker, Meat Raffle — told the Star Observer his personal style is best described as, well, “vers”. 

“I usually name the types of music,” said Izaäk, “like techno and dembow, but it always trails on to reggaeton and house and pop and then I’m just naming everything. I feel that my style has range but stays within that world of sexy, hard and unserious. 

“Anyone could enjoy a Meat Raffle set: the shirtless gay guy group right by the speaker, the dolls up against the decks, the random auntie in the corner, sometimes even the security guard when the party is starting and not everybody’s there yet.”

No Phones Allowed

Aside from a killer DJ line-up, impeccable vibes, and some gorgeously designed promo art with no AI slop in sight (thanks @helloaaronpaul), there is one other thing that is setting Fernando apart from the rest. And that is its no phone photography rule.

“I want people to be present, dance however they like, meet people, make out with someone, and not think about how any of it looks online,” said Dan.

“You should leave feeling like you experienced something that could only really happen in that room.”

Unsurprisingly, online tickets for Fernando are sold out. But if it sounds like your kind of night, you may be in luck; just 50 tickets will be available for $40 each at the door, so rock up early if you don’t want to miss out.