The 30th anniversary of the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 is right around the corner, and we got a chance to catch up with one of the Party in Paradise performers, Bag Raiders, before it all kicks off.
The Gold Coast 500 is set to take to its iconic street circuit from October 25 to 27, promising full-throttle racing and partying alike. The much-anticipated Party in Paradise will feature an exciting all-Aussie lineup, with Peking Duk, Jet, Spiderbait and Kingswood just a few of the performers taking the stage at Macintosh Island.
Friday night will be headlined by Peking Duk, while the Brisbane-based DJ Total Eclipse will open the night with his global fan-favourite set. Following him, Bag Raiders, the Australian dance duo known for their viral hit “Shooting Stars,” will keep the crowd energized. Saturday night turns up the rock vibes, with Jet headlining after a packed day of performances by Kingswood and Spiderbait.
The celebrations will continue on Sunday, with Gold Coast DJs keeping the party going long after the races have wrapped up. With last year’s record-breaking crowd of over 200,000, Supercars CEO Shane Howard expects another huge turnout for this milestone event, promising a weekend packed with thrilling races and unforgettable live music.
We caught up with Chris Stracey, one half of Bag Raiders, to talk partying in paradise, playing to a home crowd and what’s next for one of Australia’s most beloved electronic music duos.
You’ve had a pretty big year, playing everywhere from Paris to the slopes of Thredbo. But how does touring internationally compare to playing shows on home soil?
We’ve done some fun ones recently that’s for sure!!! It’s always fun to travel overseas and play to crowds around the world. We had a particularly memorable show in London where we played a sold-out show to a heaving sweaty club that made it feel like it was when we started. But no matter how far, or how wide we roam, there’s just no crowd like the home crowd. The energy is just there. Something about Australians, they love to have a good time and let loose, and that feeling is always there at the home shows.
What are you most looking forward to about playing the 2024 GC500’s Party in Paradise?
Lately we’ve been testing out a bunch of tunes we’re working on, so I think that’s going to be fun and exciting to see how the crowd responds to some of our unreleased stuff. It’s always fun to try new stuff out at a big show.
And what about the Boost Mobile GC500 in general? What are you most excited to see/do?
I’m not particularly a car buff or anything, but I do love to hear a cool sound. When I watch movies I’m always paying attention to the sound design and how certain sounds can make you feel. And when a hectic car drives past you and the engine is going broom broom, it can be pretty exciting. So I’m actually kinda pretty hyped to check out the cars and hear some crazy engines.
You’re sharing the stage with other Aussie legends – Spiderbait, Jet and Peking Duk to name a few. Why do you think it’s so important that we showcase Aussie music, particularly at major events like this one?
I grew up listening to Spiderbait so that’s going to be pretty cool for me. I think it’s great because we have such a high calibre of music coming out of Australia, it’s important to support it. The festival and live music scene has been suffering a bit as of late and it’s always important to give these opportunities to local acts.
Will we catch you guys out partying in Surfers after the show? We know you hit Cali Beach Club not too long ago…
Haha maybe, you never know… If the energy is high at the show, and the adrenaline is pumping, it might very well have to continue into the night.
What’s next for Bag Raiders?
We’re working on a steady stream of music to keep releasing into next year, so just more and more tunes to keep the party rolling!!