TRANSGENRE, the artist-led live-music project that spotlights transgender and non‑binary performers, arrives in Kaurna/Adelaide for Volume III on Saturday May 23. After two sold‑out runs in Gadigal/Sydney and a multi‑week Sydney season, the collective is expanding its footprint across Australia with a clear goal: build a national live‑music network that centers gender‑diverse artists.
A deliberate choice: free entry
Volume III’s Adelaide edition chooses access over profit. Entry is free—made possible in part by a Social Impact grant from the South Australian Department of Human Services and a mix of local sponsorship, in‑kind support and community fundraising. Organisers say removing the ticket barrier helps young people, low‑income attendees and those otherwise excluded by conventional festival pricing to take part. To manage numbers safely, the event is still encouraging people to claim a free ticket via Moshtix or the festival website.
What TRANSGENRE is and why it matters
TRANSGENRE was founded to amplify trans and non‑binary voices onstage and to create sustainable, community‑led performance opportunities. Co‑directors Ellie Robinson (she/her) and Tay Blunt (they/them) frame the festival as an explicitly celebratory response to the pressures facing gender‑diverse people—a visible, creative space where music, mutual support and cultural leadership intersect. While advocacy and policy work remain crucial, TRANSGENRE aims to pair political urgency with collective joy and artistic visibility.
Programming: local roots, interstate conversation
The programme foregrounds local Adelaide talent while inviting select interstate acts to strengthen scene connections. Expect a cross‑genre lineup that moves from punk and post‑punk through alt‑rock, folk, hyperpop and experimental electronic work. Local names on the bill include Sunsick Daisy, Oscar The Wild, Stormy‑Lou and Pearly Stars, alongside Pity Lips, Placement, Emerauld, Killed By Cupid and Thempath. Experimental dance artist Cyberfae will travel from Naarm/Melbourne to open the night.
Beyond the bill: community supports and practical setups
TRANSGENRE pairs live sets with community‑focused elements. There will be stalls run by LGBTQ+ artists and makers, a community resource hub with information on local services and advocacy groups, artist merch tables, and a licensed bar and kitchen (licensed areas are reserved for over‑18s). The organisers have prioritised accessible production, fair artist fees and travel support for interstate performers—practical steps intended to move the project from one‑off visibility toward lasting infrastructure.
Sustainable practices and partnership building
Funding and long‑term viability are ongoing challenges. The festival currently relies on a mix of public support, small grants, sponsorship and community fundraising, which makes planning artist payments and touring support unpredictable. To address this, organisers are testing transparent fee schedules, a touring fund for marginalised performers, and stronger partnerships with venues and cultural organisations to share administrative load and create repeat opportunities. For the Adelaide edition, TRANSGENRE partnered with local organiser Lucy Solonsch (she/they), whose work locates the event within South Australia’s queer creative history. Feast Festival is also listed among cultural partners, helping to plug TRANSGENRE into established local networks.
Accessibility and practical info
TRANSGENRE Volume III is all‑ages and takes place at UniBar on Kaurna land. Although entry is free, claim a ticket in advance through Moshtix or the festival website to help organisers manage capacity. Check the festival’s official channels for the latest schedule, accessibility information and venue maps. If you have specific access needs, contact the festival team or listed cultural partners directly—organisers have emphasised trained front‑of‑house staff, clear wayfinding and volunteer support to make the event welcoming for as many people as possible.
Where to find more
Full lineups, set times and logistical details will be available on TRANSGENRE’s website and Moshtix page. Community media covering LGBTIQA+ culture will run previews and post‑event coverage, helping extend visibility for the artists and organisations involved.
TRANSGENRE Volume III aims to do more than stage a night of music. By combining a diverse program with practical supports—fair pay, accessible production, partnerships and community resources—the festival seeks to widen who gets to perform, who gets to attend, and how gender‑diverse musicians can sustain a presence in Australia’s live‑music scene.