New sensation: Ballet dances to the tunes of INXS
The music of INXS will drive the action in a new collaboration between Queensland Ballet and HOTA on the Gold Coast.
Elegantly Wasted, a bold new contemporary ballet set to the songs of INXS, will world premiere at HOTA on the Gold Coast in September.
A collaboration between Queensland Ballet and Home of the Arts, the 65-minute commission will be presented at HOTA in Surfers Paradise from September 10 to 12.
Elegantly Wasted brings together an acclaimed team of Australian and international creatives, including celebrated Belgium-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, sound designer Jake Rodriguez, costume designer Josh McIntosh and set and lighting designer Jon Buswell.
Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who created Queensland Ballet’s 2024 sell-out hit Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon, says the opportunity to reinterpret the songs of INXS through ballet was irresistible.
“INXS is one of Australia’s most successful musical exports and arguably one of the country’s most influential cultural forces, so I was naturally drawn to the idea of collaboration between what many might consider the most unlikely of partners,” she says.
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“Elegantly Wasted is set within the polished anonymity of a luxury hotel lobby and follows a group of impeccably dressed young influencers (drifting in and out of view), curating their lives through performance, projection and validation. Beneath the glamour, seduction and excess lies a deeper meditation on identity, loneliness and the human desire to connect.”
INXS founding member and composer Andrew Farriss says the collaboration reflects the band’s openness to reinterpretation and creative evolution, while remaining distinct from its own story.
“INXS have always embraced exploring new ideas and the different ways our music can connect with people,” Farriss says. “This ballet is a fresh artistic interpretation that stands in its own space. It’s not about the band’s story but shows how our music can inspire new forms of expression.
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“It’s exciting to see the work approached from a completely new perspective. Annabelle has brought her own artistic vision to the music, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it comes to life.”
INXS, fronted by the late great Michael Hutchence, was recently awarded the Ted Albert Award at the 2026 APRA Awards for their outstanding service to Australian music. The award adds to their decades-long achievements across the globe including 75 million albums sold worldwide, seven US Top 10 singles, six APRA Music Awards, ARIAs, two Brit Awards, MTV Awards and numerous Grammy nominations.
Elegantly Wasted marks Queensland Ballet’s second major contemporary music-led commission to premier at HOTA. The first, Elastic Hearts, paired the music of Sia with choreography by Garry Stewart and premiered in November 2025 to rave reviews.
State Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek (whose electorate is Surfers Paradise) says the partnership between Queensland Ballet, HOTA and Experience Gold Coast showcases the Gold Coast as one of Australia’s most dynamic cultural destinations.
Queensland Ballet executive director Dilshani Weerasinghe says the three-year partnership between Queensland Ballet and HOTA provides a unique environment for experimentation and contemporary storytelling.
“Through the partnership, HOTA has become a proud launchpad for major new commissions, enabling us to create daring, large-scale works that connect with audiences beyond traditional ballet circles and engage a new generation of arts-goers,” says Weerasinghe. “Those audiences are vital because today’s first-time attendees become tomorrow’s advocates, philanthropists and cultural ambassadors.”
Experience Gold Coast head of arts and culture John Kotzas says the partnership represents a significant commitment to bringing world-class ballet to the Gold Coast.
“We are proud to continue building a consistent pipeline of high-calibre artistic experiences for our audiences,” he says. “It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase the very best of Australian performing arts while strengthening the Gold Coast’s reputation as a thriving cultural destination.”
Elegantly Wasted will be presented at HOTA, Surfers Paradise, September 10-12.
hota.com.au/events/elegantly-wasted-featuring-the-songs-of-inxs
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