Eurovision artists that have performed at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
- Kyriakos Tsinivits
- 39 minutes ago
- 4 min read
As the 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is set to take place tonight along Oxford Street we take a look back at the Eurovision artists that have performed at the event over the years.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ organisations in Australia.
Mardi Gras was built on the foundations laid by early community activists who fought for LGBTQ+ rights in a time of wide-spread, institutionalised oppression and discrimination.
From these origins, the annual event has evolved to include a strong focus on celebration while maintaining a commitment to social justice for LGBTQ+ communities.
Here are some of the Eurovision artists that have taken part in Mardi Gras in Australia:
Nicki French (2005)
A longtime LGBTQ+ ally, Nicki French has performed at countless Pride events throughout her career, building a strong connection with queer audiences worldwide.
In 2000, she represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest with Don’t Play That Song Again.
Five years later, she brought that Eurovision energy to Australia, headlining Sydney’s Mardi Gras celebrations and further cementing her status as a Pride favourite.
Olivia Newton-John (2008)
Eurovision 1974 artist Olivia Newton-John took to the stage at Sydney’s 2008 Mardi Gras, marking the event’s 30th anniversary with a dazzling performance of Xanadu.
She delivered a high-energy rendition set to a remix by Steve Anderson, which was met with an ecstatic response from the crowd. Performing at 4am to more than 18,000 fans inside Royal Hall of Industries at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter, Olivia proved the party was far from over.
Her show-stopping costume was designed by Matthew Aberline, who later showcased the piece alongside his other creations in a March 2009 exhibition at the Sydney Theatre Company.
Loreen (2013)
Back in 2013, Eurovision 2012 winner, Loreen was a headliner for the Sydney Mardi Gras party, Mardigrasland at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.
During her visit to Australia she expressed her opinion on gay marriage in Australia which hadn't been legalised at the time.
"My advice to those politicians is to take control over their fears and reach out [in] acceptance. People have to be able to love anyone the want,” she said.
In another interview, with SBS reporter Ricardo Goncalves, Loreen said she has always spoken out for the rights of gay and lesbian communities.
"I think as an artist you have a lot of people that listen to you. We need to give out knowledge about people who are gay - that we're the same. Make a statement that we're here, that we're not going to go anywhere," she said.
The Mardigrasland line-up also included Heather Small of M People, Delta Goodrem, The Presets and Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters.
Jessica Mauboy (2015)
Eurovision 2018 star Jessica Mauboy performed as a headline act at the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Party on March 7, 2015, at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park.
She performed a special duet with Indigenous drag queen Destiny Haz Arrived (Colin McDonald). The performance was a major highlight of the post-parade party.
Other artists part of the 2015 Mardi Gras Party lineup included Nick Jonas, Dannii Minogue, and Australia's Eurovision commentator Courtney Act.
Conchita (2016)
In 2016, Austrian Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst was a headline performer at Mardi Gras.
Her visit was a major event for the festival, featuring both a high-energy party performance and a prestigious orchestral concert.
Before the main party, Conchita performed a one-off concert titled Conchita: From Vienna with Love alongside the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Conchita then headlined the official Mardi Gras Party at the Royal Hall of Industries where she collaborated with Courtney Act.
Montaigne (2021)
In 2021 Montaigne performed their Eurovision entry Technicolour, for the first time live, at the Mardi Gras Parade held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The artist lineup included Eurovision 2024 artists Electric Fields, UK pop star Rita Ora and Australian singer, songwriter and drummer G Flip.
Mardi Gras was relocated to the Sydney Cricket Ground due to Covid-19 to maintain social distancing, and was a ticketed event to control crowd size.
Electric Fields (2021 & 2025)
In 2021 Electric Fields performed their songs Don't You Worry and Gold Energy at the Mardi Gras Parade held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, along with Montaigne.
A few years later they went on to represent Australia at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö with their entry One Milkali (One Blood).
The following year they made a Mardi Gras return this time around curating and hosting the rage Mardi Gras Special on ABC TV featuring a mix of LGBTQ+ anthems.
Go-Jo (2026)
At this year's Mardi Gras the Milkshake Man himself, Go-Jo, performed at the Mardi Gras Fair Day at Victoria Park, along with a long lineup of artists which also included Courtney Act.
Other Eurovision released artists who have performed at Mardi Gras
As well as Eurovision artists many Australia Decides artists have also taken part at Mardi Gras, they include:
Seann Miley Moore (Australia Decides 2022), performed at the Mardi Gras party in 2018.
Vanessa Amorosi (Australia Decides 2020), performed at the Mardi Gras in 2001 and 2002.
Courtney Act (Australia Decides 2019 & Australian Eurovision commentator), took part at Mardi Gras for many years, and will be a commentator at this year's parade coverage.
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