Sunday, July 26, 2026
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Meet the Australian DJ Bears spining hits and bangers in the clubs – Part One

Luka Musicki

When a bear steps behind the decks, something powerful happens on the dance floor. DJs who are part of the bear community bring an authenticity and cultural understanding that transforms a regular night out into a genuine celebration of belonging. For attendees at bear pit events across Australia — from Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane to Canberra — seeing someone who looks like them commanding the room sends a clear message: you are welcome here, and this space was made for you. That visibility alone carries enormous weight for mental health and community connection, offering a sense of affirmation that goes far beyond the music itself.

Music has long been recognised as one of the most accessible tools for emotional wellbeing, and bear DJs are leveraging that power in deeply intentional ways. Curating sets that move a crowd through euphoria, nostalgia, and raw energy creates a shared emotional journey that reduces isolation and fosters genuine human connection. For many bears — particularly those who may have experienced exclusion from mainstream gay venues or broader society — these dance floors become healing spaces. The DJ at the centre of that experience isn’t just playing tracks; they’re holding space for their community’s joy, and that’s a quietly profound act of care.

There’s also something undeniably bold and body-positive about a bear DJ performing in their underwear or jocks at a bear pit event. It challenges conventional beauty standards and the narrow ideals that often dominate nightlife aesthetics, celebrating a fuller range of bodies in a position of power and performance. When the person commanding the room is visibly comfortable in their own skin, it gives everyone on that dance floor permission to feel the same. This kind of representation encourages physical confidence and self-acceptance, which are cornerstones of both individual wellbeing and a healthy, inclusive community culture.

Beyond the cultural and emotional dimensions, bear DJs are making a tangible economic contribution to Australia’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. Bear pit events draw dedicated, loyal crowds who travel interstate and invest in tickets, merchandise, accommodation, and hospitality — and a skilled bear DJ is often a key drawcard for that attendance. Venues that programme bear-specific nights benefit from a community known for its strong social bonds and word-of-mouth advocacy, turning one great night into a recurring and growing event series. As the bear community continues to expand its footprint across Australian cities, the DJs who soundtrack those nights are quietly becoming some of the most valuable creative assets in the country’s queer entertainment economy.

Please note: for the order of the DJs, it is based on when I got a response from them, and there is no hierarchy of DJs; they are all talented in their own style and genre. There are 18 DJs listed in total for the two parts of this listical initative, so there are 9 Djs for Part One and 9 Djs for Part Two. This is Part One.

Darren Hanna a.k.a DJ Hanna:

He is a resident DJ at the Laird Hotel (Sunday Social, Saturday Beat and various events), VicBears Southern Hibernation events, including HUNK 2026 and Underbear parties. He has played at Harbour City Bears – Bear Essentials Underbear parties in 2023, 2024 and 2026. Brisbear’s Northern Exposure Underwear Party 2024. He regularly appears at Thick N’ Juicy, Beefcake and Chunk parties.

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with Darren:

Gerard Frank Long a.k.a Sugar Plump Fairy (SPF) – Also the Party Organiser for Bruno:

Sugar Plump Fairy (AKA Gerard Frank Long) has been running some of the best queer parties all around Melbourne for over a decade – The Outpost, MARY! (A Gay-Ass Disco For Every Body) and most recently Bruno Disco. He’s lucky enough to have supported the likes of DJ Spen, Ron Carroll, Prosumer and Sandy Rivera, but admits his favourite person to DJ with is his partner-in-crime at Bruno, Butch Le Butch. His vibe is underground disco and house, but he’s also not afraid of a banger to pop the room. Also check out his annual Christmas mixes (which he’s been doing for 25 years) and Grubby mixes if you’re a music nerd – they reflect his eclectic taste and passion for new music. He also runs Sugar Plump Fairy Designs, which he is very careful to point out is not merch when he says “I’m selling you, not me!”.

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with the Sugar Plump Fairy:

Danny Corvini, a.k.a DJ RAYDAR – Also the Party Organiser for SpringOUT and STUN Magazine Parties:

Danny Corvini, aka DJ Raydar, started as a music journalist in the ‘90s for Sydney’s 3D World Magazine before making the jump into the DJ booth. Based in Canberra, he is the festival director of SpringOUT and YES!Fest, has a monthly residency ‘Electric Disco’ at ChiChiz bar, and throws ‘90s rave nights ‘Back2Rave’ in both Sydney and Canberra through his magazine, STUN.

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with DJ Raydar:

Grant Cook a.k. Aftenasia – Also the Party Organiser for Pan Melbourne Party:

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Aftenasia has been DJing for over 20 years, starting back in 2005 during a trip to Cologne, where he was immersed in DJ and vinyl culture. He has been a resident at the Laird Hotel for nearly 10 years and now runs his own party PAN with his bestie, DJ Midnightsnack. He plays everything from sexy disco house to deep banging Detroit techno.

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with Afrensia:

Luka Musicki a.k.a Love Peace Happiness Joy (L.P.H.J) – Also Co-Party Organiser for NOKU:

Luka Musicki, a.k.a. Love Peace Happiness Joy (L.P.H.J), was inspired to DJ from seeing the talented DJs in this article, and he typically does disco, house, EDM, lounge, and other genres that get the crowd wanting more.

The DJ name L.P.HJ was inspired by the feeling of escaping work and embarking on a positive-vibe journey.

Luka is part of the NOKU group in Canberra. NOKU was formed early in 2026, and it is a collective of creative minds and house music enthusiasts from around the world. NOKU is inspired by global underground dance culture, NOKU exists quietly, letting the music speak before anything else. NOKU is no ego and no gimmicks.

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with L.P.H.J., here are the details:

John Pants – Also the Party Organiser for Honcho Disko, Woody’s and The Tubs Disco

Playing DJ residencies at: HONCHO DISKO in every State across Australia, Woodys in Sydney, The Tubs in Melbourne and playing unforgettable sets at Barba, Mary’s Poppin in Adelaide, Poppin Out Festival, AWOL, Squeak, SLICK, Beefcake, The Laird Hotel and more. John has fine-tuned the dancefloor moment. Whether it be disco, disco house, deep tech house, party bangas, a Sunday afternoon in a beer garden or 2 am on a Main Stage at a Festival, John Pants can sort the vibe.

Merging his musical background, John then created the HONCHO DISKO institution, celebrating subversive queer talent and providing supportive, inclusive events Australia-wide for the past decade.

HONCHO DISKO is a renowned national event across Australia, operating in Melbourne for close to a decade, in Sydney for over seven years, and hosting countless events in Adelaide, Brisbane, and many other cities. HONCHO DISKO has toured international acts such as Amanda Lepore, The Boulet Brothers, Brooke Candy and Crystal Methyd, to name just a few.

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with the John Pants:

David Virgona, a.k.a. Dj David Virgona:

David started DJing over 37 years ago, performing at private functions, including weddings, birthdays, and other events. The start of the new millennium marked the beginning of a new direction in David’s DJ career: the gay bar/club scene. Sunday night retro sessions at the Trade Bar, Melbourne, in 2000, then a residency at the Xchange Hotel, Melbourne. Later came The GH Hotel St. Kilda. Music styles are commercial dance music, house, and retro. The Carnival T-Dance of 2003 was the highlight of his DJ career! From his exposure at T-Dance came Winter Daze 2006 and 2007, XTC party, Rogue 2008, and guest DJ spots for Gossip Sundays at Love Machine. Rock City parties. Thick’n’Juicy parties. As well as donating DJ services for the Good Friday Appeal in Inverleigh for several years! Now DJing for The Laird Hotel for their Vic Bear nights and a regular for the Vic Bears Inc Parties. As well as resident DJ for Fabuland, Mollies bar & diner (2011-2025) and co-promoter of Popsicle Pure Pop party at The Laird. UBQ, Hombre (Brisbane). Playing at the Vic Pride Centre Pride March after party 2023 was just a dream! So much Pride! Monthly gigs for Osborne Sundays at The Osborne rooftop!

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with the DJ David Virgona:

Yannick Benoit a.k.a DJ Yanique:

DJ Yanique (Yannick Benoit) is a leading force in Perth’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife, known for high-energy, crowd-driven sets and a deep commitment to community and diversity. As the founder of Spank Parties Perth, he is behind some of the city’s most iconic events, such as the Spank Pool Parties, Spank Boat Party, and men ’s-only events such as NOIR and Berlin Bunker that celebrate freedom, body positivity and unapologetic self-expression. A regular behind the decks at Connections Nightclub and at major Pride events, DJ Yanique has built a reputation for delivering dynamic sets that blend house, disco, tribal, South American, and commercial dance anthems, always reading the room and creating unforgettable dancefloor moments.

Deeply embedded in Perth’s gay and Bear communities, DJ Yanique has supported the community by supplying DJs to venues to make them more inclusive with his Spank DJ agency. He supports Bear events such as Bearovision, their annual Western Round Ups, and the Under-Bear party, while also having Bears raise funds via the cloakroom at his Berlin Bunker men-only parties. Alongside his work as a DJ and promoter, he is part of various influencer groups that support venues and events through PR and influencer marketing. On the side, DJ Yanique is also part of the Perth Gay Chorus, a choreographer for The CocoPetals and a dancer for The Spirit of Brazil Show. As a regular traveller, Yanique is keen to DJ at Bears events all over Australia.

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with DJ Yanique:

George Roussos:

George Roussos is a long-running figure in Sydney’s queer and bear-party nightlife. He has DJed at Woof Club, Harbour City Bears, Sydney Leather Pride, and events like Inquisition and Bear Pit. He has built a reputation as a specialist in high-energy, underground, community-driven dance events.

If you want to get in contact, listen to his mixes, or connect with George Roussos:

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Luka Musicki

Luka is the Deputy Editor for Australian content for Bear World Magazine, part of Gray Jones Media. Luka is producing interviews with Australian and international bears, producing Australian city guides and interesting fun articles. His vision is to create a vibrant and supportive platform that celebrates the diverse spectrum of human bodies and experiences. His mission is to foster a community where individuals feel empowered to embrace their authentic selves, share their stories, and recognise the bear beauty in vulnerability and feeling great pride in themselves. Luka is also a resident writer for Konnect with Data (an Australian Data company).