By Charlotte Poynton
The best music in the world is coming out of this country, and that is a statement that I will happily provide receipts and reasoning for. If you are currently raising your eyebrows in disbelief, I’m here to tell you that a decent majority of that music is produced here in Meanjin. Not only are our local musicians creating such high-quality contributions to our airwaves but so much of it is very gay. Part of me loves the idea of supporting and amplifying the voices of those who sing about the unique and heartfelt experiences in our lives while the other part of me just screams about how I, respectfully, love gay shit. Whether you find yourself more enticed by the former or the latter statement, here are three of my favourite queer acts that will get you listening to and loving local music.
Hope D
Have you ever listened to a song and felt as if it came from your latest diary entry? That is exactly what every Hope D song feels like.
With raw and refreshingly honest lyricism, Hope’s delightfully vivid storytelling will transport you to the depths of heartbreak (see Doormat, 2023), the peaks of a hazy night out in our beloved Fortitude Valley (see Happy Hangover, 2021), and the frustration of that one unrequited queer crush (see Nails, 2024).
Cub Sport
Now this band may be one that you’re all too familiar with, if not – welcome to one of the greatest (and gayest) bands in our local scene (move over Savage Garden)! Cub Sport are a genre-transcending four-piece that soundtracked my queer awakening in grade eight, they have five studio albums and 15 years of musical history under their belts. A vast majority of the band’s latter work focuses on the narrative of the lead singer and the keyboardists slow-burn love story (see Party Pill, 2019; Best Friend, 2020). They also have the perfect soundtrack for your nights under the strobe lights (see the entire album of Jesus At The Gay Bar, 2023), deep-rooted religious trauma (see O Lord, 2017), and the existential crisis that typically swoops in around week 8 of the uni semester (see Chasin’, 2017).
Worm Girlz
Fresh out of the compost are Worm Girlz, one of my favourite musical discoveries of 2024. With only five releases out so far, there is no better time to get around this band! Worm Girlz have been wriggling their way around the scene recently, playing at 2024’s Laneway Festival, embarking on a Chappell Roan cover tour, and growing a dedicated and loving fanbase. If you’ve ever wanted to yell at men for their sleazy and unwarranted behaviour (see Dirt, 2023; Go Fishing, 2024), had a cry about society’s fascination with body image (see Not My Body, 2024), or spiralled over yet another situationship (see Thinkin’ Bout, 2024), Worm Girlz are the new band for you to keep an eye on in 2025.
