Words by Sasha Geyer


2016 saw an increase in quality, diversity and a higher engagement with the politics of partying. One of last year’s most important additions to the scene was Le Fag, a night based in Melbourne that seeks to celebrate and showcase the local queer community. Taking place every six to eight weeks at the newly-renovated Hugs&Kisses, Le Fag is carefully curated to be a safe and liberating space for its patrons. This includes a general no-photos policy designed to “achieve real freedom and liberty”. The Le Fag sound, with predominantly queer and gender-diverse lineups, boasts some of Melbourne’s finest DJs such as (resident) Brooke Powers, Simona Castricum, DJ Kiti, Chiara Kickdrum, Honeysmack, Air Max 97 and Habits.



Le Fag has quickly gained a reputation for being Melbourne’s best queer party and is kicking off 2017 with ‘La Femme’ on February 10, a specific instalment designed to showcase female and gender nonconforming talent. The killer lineup features local favourites JNETT, Jennifer Loveless, Merve and Brooke Powers.


Le Fag has also recently announced a very special show starring New York goddess, Princess Nokia on March 9, the party’s first hip hop-focused event.


To learn more about Le Fag, we sat down with organiser David Murphy.




How did Le Fag start out?

I was thinking a couple of years ago there was a need for something for the new generation of party/club kids that were forming out there. Something a little grittier and raw.

What is the main ethos behind Le Fag?

I guess Le Fag plays by its own rules. The party is about making positive changes and connecting humans, with good music being the lubricant to shift us into our ideal future reality of egalitarian sweaty bliss.

What are the main obstacles in developing a queer night in Melbourne?

The queer community is so diverse and the experiences are vast so trying to create something specific but for everyone can be hard to think about.

Le Fag’s lineups are not only diverse in genre but also showcase some of Melbourne’s best queer talent. How are they curated?

They are curated because they are good DJs. I try to set an example of what a well balanced, politically conscious, diverse yet cohesive lineup looks like. Always mostly queer but anyone or anything that plays good music is what Le Fag is about. In regards to genre… everyone who plays, plays a bit heavier and harder ‘cause I usually request it. I like high energy regardless of genre (although I love techno) and I like it to get deep and weird.

Le Fag is one of the first parties in Melbourne to have a no-photo policy, what does this achieve?
The no-photo policy creates a different dynamic in a space and mentally I think it’s a relief, don’t you? Knowing there are no photos in a space makes me wanna be my gross-self a little more, dance a little crazier, wear a little less. I’m not hectic on policing this rule because I think if people thought about it, they would feel better about no photos too.

Tell us about the upcoming La Femme?

Each party has a concept, this party I have done before, but it’s something that’s important. It’s called La Femme. Focusing on balancing out the male dominated music/club/DJ industry by providing a space and platform for women of colour, cis & trans women, gender non-conforming and the gender diverse to unleash their fierceness to a hungry crowd. Last one was pretty powerful and inspiring. La Femme will pop up every now and again amongst the Le Fag parties.

The Princess Nokia gig was announced earlier this week. How did it come about?

The QPOC hip hop scene that was happening overseas was basically the main inspiration for me wanting to do a party. For the first time I felt connected to something that was in the gay/queer clubbing scene, so doing these sorts of parties has always been the plan. Princess Nokia is the first of the hip hop acts coming to Australia with Melbourne’s strongest, Habits, supporting. Look out for more of this stuff.



Le Fag: La Femme is on this Friday, February 8 at Hugs&Kisses
Facebook event



Le Fag’s ‘La Femme II’ campaign, photographed by Nakayn Chigach


Video by Leon Rice-Whetton