INTERVIEWS
Glitterbox has found a home away from home down under
One of the world's most famed all-inclusive parties, Glitterbox returns this week across Naarm, Eora & Bali.
Glitterbox is quickly growing to be one of the world’s most famed all-inclusive parties. A nightlife phenomenon and label, it started in 2014 out of the mind of Simon Dunmore, founder of house institution Defected Records.
Its focus on inclusion has grown it a reputation across the globe, running sell out shows from London to Paris, and New York to Sydney. The likes of Louie Vega, Jayda G, Bob Sinclar, Dimitri From Paris, Honey Dijon and Moodymann are just a few of the names you’ll find, with a growing list of alumni making space for self expression on their dancefloors.
This weekend, Glitterbox will be touching down in Eora/Sydney, Naarm/Melbourne and Bali, for a series of almost sold out shows.
We sat down with Melvo Baptiste, Director of Music at Glitterbox, to get a read on what he and the team are most excited for this time around.
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Q: It’s been around a year since you’ve been to Australia. What has you still coming back?
MB: I really don’t need much of an excuse to get back to Australia, I’ve made so many close friends over there it’s a pleasure to get back. The previous tour I did in Oz wasn’t part of our Glitterbox activity, I was doing a solo run of gigs and actually got to enjoy some of your more intimate venues, like Music Room in Melbourne. This time I’m back with the full Glitterbox gang!
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Q: We’re seeing a lot of big international brands coming to Australia at an increased rate in recent years. Why do you think this is?
MB: Well I can’t speak for other brands, personally over the last 5-10 years I’ve felt the buzz around new, live & electronic, contemporary music coming out of Australia, I have personally signed music from Flight Facilities, Jitwam, Close Counters, Harvey Sutherland and hugely respect the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote, Allysha Joy, Horatio Luna, Luke Alessi etc.-
Q: What is it about an Australian Glitterbox event that feels both similar & different to the events you usually do?
MB: I can feel the excitement before I even enter the club, I guess because we only do one show a year it allows plenty of time for the anticipation to build. They remind me a lot of our London shows if I’m honest, a diverse crowd 100% ready to express themselves!-
Q: How does it feel to be taking Glitterbox to more countries than ever before?
MB: Just recently I was thinking about the last decade on Glitterbox and how many humans have connected because of it around the world, it’s mind blowing.
As we grow around the world it is absolutely integral that our message doesn’t change, Glitterbox has never been about a genre of music, it’s about the feeling it gives you, the flamboyance, the self-expression, the inclusivity, the drama…
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