What’s on at BGO 2025?
Site Map
Mainstage Lineup
Hosted by the wonderful Janaye Henry, with help from our special guest Kita Mean, the Big Gay Out mainstage features a line-up of exceptional performers from Aotearoa and around the world!
Mainstage Artists
-
Lagoon (AKA Zooey Gleaves) is a DJ & drag artist from South London.
Lagoon is renowned for his high-energy sets full of samples & edits inspired by global club sounds & pop culture, mixing the best in baile funk, vogue, jersey, dembow & amapiano all through a queer lens.
The first drag queen to DJ a Boiler Room show, Lagoon has taken off playing world-famous festivals & venues like Glastonbury & Fabric, touring Australia & Aotearoa NZ and supporting live shows from artists like Sugababes & Romy.
-
Venice Qin is a new hyper pop artist pushing the boundaries of pop music in Aotearoa & Australia.
With over 2.5 million streams, big stage presence & growing fan base, Venice is gearing up to drop her highly anticipated debut LP, Moon Landing, on March 1st 2025.
Fresh off a club tour & performance at the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association to a crowd of thousands, she’s ready to bring it all home and to the root of her fan base – ALL THINGS QUEER!
A base grind dance-based album, Moon Landing’s singles include FREAK OUT, ANGEL, and NEW WOMAN, & the lead single RODEO STAR out now. Venice is beyond excited to bring the entire album LIVE for the very first time at BGO 2025.
-
Paige is an award-winning & platinum-selling artist from our very own Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa.
Since cutting her teeth busking on the streets of Auckland, Paige has gone on to tour with the biggest artists in Aotearoa like Drax Project, Six60 & Coterie, as well as massive international acts like George Ezra, Ruel, Holly Humberstone, grentperez, G Flip, Nina Nesbitt & even the Jonas Brothers.
A staple of the Aotearoa music scene, Paige’s breakthrough EP, ALWAYS GROWING & first full-length album, KING CLOWN have dominated the NZ Album Charts & been nominated for multiple Aotearoa Music Awards, including ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Pop Artist’. In 2021 Paige was recognised with the award for ‘Best Māori Female Solo Artist’ at the Waiata Māori Music Awards.
-
Sheba is a prolific performer, singer & music producer based in Sydney.
Raised in Wellington by storyteller & dancer Mona Williams, DJ Sheba delivers uplifting performances designed to spread joy and inspire dance.
She seamlessly blends Disco, House, and Brazilian dance music, captivating audiences with her sparkling costumes and vibrant personality. Her latest single, Sisters, is a dance for alllll the Sisters.
-
Kira Puru is a fearless & disruptive pop icon for the modern age.
Kira’s hypnotic debut, Tension, gathered a cult following that’s only continued to rise. Her second hit, Molotov, featured in triple j’s Hottest 100 and her latest offering, Talk With Me, cracked #1 on triple j’s most played.
Widely respected as one of Australia’s biggest voices, Kira has earned a reputation for captivating crowds as a razor-sharp performer, playing at festivals & performing with artists like Peking Duk, Thelma Plum & Yungblud.
-
Ahakoa Te Aha is a rōpū haka based in central Auckland.
Made up of takatāpui whānau, but always inclusive of whānau who don't identify as takatāpui, Ahakoa Te Aha create safe spaces for whānau to learn waiata and haka, and this year they’re bringing it back to the Big Gay Out mainstage.
-
Tyrun is a Niuean-Samoan singer-songwriter redefining what it means to be a new generation Pasifika popstar.
Tyrun is a multidisciplinary queer Pasifika artist dismantling stereotypes of Polynesian artistry with talents across singing & dancing as well as championing his community as the passionate co-director of Tāmaki Makaurau queer POC events & creative collective All My Friends.
Pulling inspiration from 2000s R&B & contemporary pop icons, Tyrun’s music embodies the aura & energy of a classic popstar, all while centering his artistry around the core community values born of his cultural identity, sexuality, & navigating his 20s as a queer Pacific Islander in Aotearoa.
-
Kita Mean is New Zealand’s Drag Superstar, first ever winner of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under', and staple of the BGO mainstage.
Kita needs little introduction, known worldwide for her razor-sharp wit, upbeat and infectious charm & unmistakably high camp aesthetic, she’s dazzled crowds everywhere from Aotearoa & Australia to London & USA with her sold-out solo show, ‘Delightfully Camp,’ and drag revue show, ‘Queens of Drag’.
Closer to home, Kita’s beloved for headlining NZ’s longest-running cabaret show, Caluzzi Cabaret, as well as her unmissable DJ sets. She joins us as a Special Guest at BGO 2025 and we can’t wait!
Mainstage MC
Janaye Henry
We’re delighted to welcome our hilarious mainstage MC, Janaye Henry!
A self-identified clown by nature and comedian by nurture, Janaye came up in the Wellington improv scene and has gone on to curate the first wāhine Māori lineup comedy show as well as co-writing, co-directing & starring in The Basement Christmas Show, The Jingle Bellethon Telethon
Janaye’s well loved for bringing humour to all kinds of kaupapa, and we’re privileged to have her at Big Gay Out 2025.
Got2b Big Gay Dance Party (R18)
DJ Jordan Eskra returns for the biggest outdoor gay party of the summer - the Got2b Big Gay Dance Party!
Enjoy six hours of non-stop, feel-good tunes from two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s top gay DJ's, Jordan Eskra & Nicola Tims, plus electrifying performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Anita Wig’lit & Rita Menu, the drag pop princess of Aotearoa Miss Geena, the jewel of Karangahape Rd Crystal Quartz. And, for the first time in daylight, the sensational PROPAGANDA Dolls.
The Got2b Big Gay Dance Party is the ultimate celebration of pride, music & community at Big Gay Out 2025!
-
Jordan is one of New Zealand’s favourite gay DJs. He began Dj'ng on vinyl over a decade ago and has since played parties in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. His crowd-pleasing mixes have filled dance floors at LGBT parties and nightclubs up and down the country. He can definitely rock a dance floor and brings incredible energy when he hits the decks. Averse to categorisation into one particular style his sets include house, pop, vocal house, anthems, electro, tribal and everything in between.
Jordan has played all of the biggest gay events in New Zealand including Big Gay Out, Auckland Pride, Proud, Wellington Pride, Propaganda, Homo House, TOP, Christchurch Pride, Gay Ski Week QT and Winter Pride. He has spun at Sydney Mardi Gras and World Pride. He has shared the stage with some of New Zealand’s most prominent DJ’s and some of the most famous faces in the gay party circuit, Kitty Glitter (AUS), Dan Slater (AUS), Sexshooters (UK), Dan Murphy (AUS), Hector Fonseca (US), Bimbo Jones (US), Moto Blanco (UK), Wayne G (UK), Jodie Harsh (UK) and the Freemasons (UK). He shows no stopping with more productions on the way and more exciting events yet to be announced!
House of Givenchy presents: Thirst Trap Ball 5
-
Theme: Flower Power 💐
1 x Trophy & $100 Prize
-
Theme: Sunday Silk 🤍
1 x Trophy & $100 Prize
-
Must use word ‘THIRSTY’ in 10’s 🎤
1 x Trophy $200 Prize
-
Hand Performance wearing Red ❤️ / 1 x Trophy
Arms Control wearing Yellow 💛 / 1 x Trophy
Trophy winners battle for the prize of $200 -
Theme: Wet T-shirt Contest 🥵
1 x Trophy & $300 Prize
-
Theme: Fresh Face 👄
1 x Trophy & $200 Prize
-
Theme: An effect referencing Charlie’s Angels 💋
1 x Trophy & $100 Prize
-
Theme: Bring it in a Tyla-inspired effect ☀️
1 x Trophy & $300 Prize
For the first time ever, House of Givenchy will be curating one of Aotearoa’s most fun & litty balls, with help from Burnett Foundation Aotearoa & Auckland Pride.
Continuing the legacy of Thirst Trap established by House of Aitū, this year’s ball will showcase a stunning array of performances, with categories curated by Prince Peni Givenchy set to pumping beats by DJ MIAMIA from Pōneke.
Categories:
Auckland Pride Pre-Ball
Get ready to quench your thirst at the first-ever Big Gay Out Thirst Trap Pre-Ball!
From 12–2pm, Auckland Pride invites you to the ultimate warm-up for House of Givenchy’s Thirst Trap Ball. DJs KAIVITI and BLUSH.MP3 will be pouring the hottest beats, so come sip up the vibes and take center stage for a taste of what’s to come!
Whether you wanna come shake some ass or show off your wildest dips, this is the place to hydrate your dance moves or just have a kanikani before the main event. Thirsty for fun? We’ll be serving it up from 12pm - 2pm.
-
KAIVITI, Tamaki Makaurau's sonic voyager, weaves a rich tapestry of sounds from around the globe. With a passion for niche communities' hidden gems, their sets blend roots reggae, deep bassline dubs, Afro house, UK Funky, and jungle with dashes of favela funk, Baltimore breaks, GQOM, Jersey club, Nola Bounce, and club/ bootleg edits. KAIVITI has played for Tamaki’s most prolific queer club night FILTH and other superb club nights such as HI-FI-SCI-FI, NYMPHO, Poppa’s AKL & Phy Ed!
Inspired by their peers and fueled by a curiosity for the unknown, KAIVITI’s been spinning consistently for over a year, crafting a unique sound that's equal parts eclectic, infectious, and rebellious. Join Kaiviti’s journey through sound!
-
One to watch within Tāmaki Makaurau's electronic scene - BLUSH.MP3 is a selector, promoter, artist and superstar. Their sound is all-encompassing, genre-bending and fast-paced. Notable gigs Blush has played within the last year include Cross St. Music Festival, Deep Hard And Funky, BASSMENT Local Roll Call, BFM’s Fancy New Band Showcase, Nympho, Auckland Pride March Party and opening for internationally renowned artists 100 GECS, Narciss, Kevin Aviance and MikeQ.
Blush is also the co-founder of DOLLHOUSE - a club night celebrating the queer community, specifically QTBIPOC, through global club music.
The goal of all of Blush's sets is simple: to make you feel hot, sexy, alive, and free through good music, great blends, and stunning energy!
Big Gay Bar:
Alcohol (and non-alcoholic) options are available at our Big Gay Bar, located right opposite the Mainstage so you can get your drinks topped up without missing any of the action.
Hauora Hub:
We're hosting a range of incredible community groups and organisations in our Hauora Hub - this is a great opportunity to engage with some amazing kaupapa that support our communities.
HIV and STI testing:
Auckland Sexual Health Service will be onsite to provide free HIV and STI testing.
Low-sensory space
We’re delighted to offer a low-sensory environment at Big Gay Out this year, in partnership with Meredith Connell and Greyhounds As Pets. Check out for a bit, step out of the sun and the noise, even pet a friendly greyhound if you want!
Other BGO hot-spots
Southern Cross Big Gay Picnic:
Whether you’re getting kai from one of our delicious food vendors, or whether you’ve brought a cute little picnic from home, we have a dedicated space where you can chill out with your friends and whānau.
ANZ Big Gay Marketplace:
Thanks to ANZ, the Big Gay Marketplace is back, with over 120 vendors selling a range of products from kai to artisanal products from local queer retailers, and more.
Partners area:
Our partners will be out in force with a bunch of cool activations, freebies, giveaways, drag queens, and plenty of shade!