Sweet Relief: Thousands let hair down at music festival in Brisbane
Osher Gunsberg and Jimi the Kween were among the thousands of revelers who let their hair down and showed off eye-catching outfits at Sweet Relief.
The one-day music and fashion festival in Brisbane on Saturday was billed as a place where “self-expression is welcomed and togetherness is celebrated”.
Acclaimed dance, electronic and live acts were the biggest draw, along with Australia’s biggest fancy dress competition.
Gunsberg and Kween hosted the fashion event on the main stage, with the pair having their work cut out for them as revelers wore a range of quirky outfits.
Many fell into the ‘barely there’ category and wore next to nothing, while others went over the top with their creations.
Host Osher Gunsberg (right) is pictured taking notes the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper
Glamorous outfits? Bill. Water bottle? Bill. Toy horse tied to your pants? Bill
If you are unsure about the wear, go for black. It is always in fashion and makes for a striking entrance
Or you can always wear matching orange outfits, which is also perfect for the 2023 festival season
While most people at Sweet Relief did their best to dress for success, some also went the extra mile with beautiful nails
These two Sweet Relief attendees look very happy to be attending the first major spring/summer music and fashion event
Gunsberg led the bold range with a red and blue marbled suit paired with a t-shirt with the Aboriginal flag printed on it.
Cowboy hats, fishnet tops and bikinis under sheer skirts were common among the bustling crowds.
A group of partygoers opted for an otherworldly touch by wearing shiny silver clothing and headbands and carrying an alien face pouch.
The rest of the festival certainly did not disappoint, as Groove Armada delivered their legendary DJ set.
There was also a live set from Melbourne’s kings of psychedelic electronic dance music, the Avalanches.
Pink was really in fashion at Sweet Relief, for both women and men (photo)
Sometimes a powder blue cowboy hat is just what you need to complete a sassy ensemble
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with Christmas glitter tassels when it’s not Christmas, wonder no more: They can be a fashion accessory (pictured)
Shoes were also a big fashion item shown off at Sweet Relief, from black boots with pink laces (right) to a pair where one sneaker was purple and the other yellow (left).
The headliners were joined by Ladyhawke, Cut Copy DJs, Nina Las Vegas, Latifa Tee and YO! Mafia.
And Australia’s favorite Queer Dance Party, Poof Doof Pride Patrol featuring Jimi The Kween, catered to the needs of anyone who enjoys the sweeter sounds.
The drag scene was also well represented by Beverley Kills from Rupaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Ruby Slippers and Luna Thicc.
Festival-goers were encouraged to show off their creativity and strut their stuff on an Academy Award-style catwalk.
Osher Gunsberg not only wore a nice purple and blue suit, he also had a worn Aboriginal flag T-shirt underneath (photo)
Gunsberg (center) is pictured hosting the fashion parade and competition at Sweet Relief
Cowboy hats (pictured) were not only a popular fashion item at Sweet Relief, they also provided some relief from the sun
“If you’ve got it, flaunt it,” this fashion competition contestant seems to be saying
These two attendees seem to be looking for a lost friend. Hopefully they found them
The competition had a huge prize pool of over $15,000, including a luxury tropical getaway to Far North Queensland.
“Sweet Relief is Australia’s biggest costume party, and I get to be a judge for this performance,” Gunsberg said.
“As Brizzo through and through, I’m excited to get home to see two of my all-time favorites, The Avalanches and Groove Armada.”
The festival came as Brisbane enjoyed a relatively warm start to the weekend.
The mercury was forecast to peak at 26 degrees Celsius, with partygoers making the most of the blue skies to relax under the sun.
A woman with angel wings (photo) seems lost in the reverie of the music of Sweet Relief
A pride ladder (pictured) not only looks good on its own, it’s also a good place to take a photo
Sunglasses, hats and liquid refreshments: these revelers were all prepared for the day ahead
These wise festivalgoers (pictured) also showed off some sunshine with hats and sunglasses
But if you can pair fashionable sunglasses with fabulous, sparkling outfits, that’s even better
Alien handbags and space boots (pictured) completed the look
Angel wings are always a popular accessory at music festivals, but few wore them as well as these women (pictured)
If you’ve even wondered where ’70s-style wedding shirts went, wonder no more: They’ve been rehabilitated in the 2020s (pictured right)
Overall, Sweet Relief started off with a bang, with the crowd enjoying the music, fashion and sunny conditions.
Whether it was a financial success remains to be seen – we’ll find out for sure if there’s a Sweet Relief 2 in 2024.
Tattoos, like those of the two women pictured, were also a popular fashion accessory at Sweet Relief
If someone has a good idea about what T-shirt to wear to a festival, it doesn’t hurt if their friends copy it (photo)
Osher Gunsberg (pictured right) seemed very amused by the antics of the pink-clad superhero (left)
Overall, Sweet Relief (pictured) went off with a bang, with the crowd enjoying the music, fashion and sunny conditions