Disco Never Dies

The rebels once behind Disco Sucks thought they’d won the fight but, as the title says, Disco Never Dies, especially judging by the masses who turned up at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. 

The packed bleachers and huge dance floor was a glittery reminder of Mardi Gras but on stage it was the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, playing the hits that this older audience grew up with. And were still dancing to.

Our host, Kween Kong, a Samoan Tongan drag queen, well-known from RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, helped get us up from the seats with witty insult – and calling us (too many times) to give it up for conductor Carlo Antonioli and the SSO, and the lineup of four vocalists and three backing singers.

Jess Dudlow, an agile non-binary singer was strong voiced with “You Should Be Dancing” and favs like “All Night Long”.  Paulini, Fijian-born and musically experienced, sang “Michael Jackson Medley” and “Dancing Queen” (stupid song but hey, it’s disco). 

The diminutive powerhouse, also with Pacific roots, Jess Hitchcock, soared with “I Love the Night life” and others; and Aboriginal singer Emma Donavan, despite a long-applauded career, and her “Touch Me in the Morning”, did hit a few flat notes. She had the floor telling Kong that disco for her is turning the inspiration of heartbreak into joy, but sadly shared no more.  

The challenge for all the singers was to be powerful enough in voice to match the orchestra behind them.  They had a better chance when combining forces with each other as in stirring group hits like “I’m Every Woman” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. The backing vocals Alwyn De Los Santos, Dyagula and nik. added to the energetic stage dazzle but brought no musical variety or choreographic distinction.  The stage sometimes needed traffic control for crossing divas.

But this Disco Never Dies was a one-off treat, at a new home for the SSO after it left the Domain as a Sydney Festival showcase. And presumably the night was very profitable for the orchestra – given the audience and how much they loved it.

Martin Portus

Photographer: Cassandra Hannagan