LAuren neko
Lauren: Artist [Diva. DJ. Producer. Art.]
Neko: Cat [Japanese]
At just 18, Lauren emerged from a near-death experience to discover a 90s House Anthems party at the Arkaba in Adelaide. Transformed by the music, community, and feelings of LUV, Lauren found a place to let her true colours shine.
Affectionately dubbed the 'Candy Cat' by fellow ravers, 'Neko' became the name to eternalise the person she became on the dancefloor. Together with years of dedication to singing and music, dripped in neon and embodying the spirit of House music that saved her life… Lauren Neko was born.
Lauren Neko has an unforgettable vibrant style and aesthetic, personifying the glamour, groove, and defiance of House, Rave and Disco of yesteryear. Yet, it’s Lauren Neko’s performances infused with live vocals and original productions that sets her apart in a clubland filled with DJs. She takes her audience on a high-contrast journey filled with infectious grooves, high vibes, peppered with deeper moments and timeless song.
Lauren Neko's sound as a DJ is a rich fusion of multiple generations of House, Funk Grooves, and Disco influences. Artists you could expect in her sets include Dario D'Attis, Funk Agenda, Groove Armada, Martin Solveig, Mousse T, Roger Sanchez, Alan Braxe, Oden and Fatzo, Honey Dijon, LF System.
Wanting the feelings of House to last more than the weekend, Lauren Neko continues to synthesise her myriad creative talents to keep this dream real. For over a decade, she's been a resident DJ at revered Sydney establishments and an ARIA Club Chart DJ. She has been co-producing music for years, but took the leap releasing music as producer and vocalist. Her last release on Hot Sunday Recordings - Do Alright - peaked #57 on the ARIA Clubchart. Her upcoming release on Dare To Recordings - Don’t Touch - drops August 2024.
Defined by an impressive array of headline slots at prestigious events like Poof Doof and official Mardi Gras events, she has Domestically supported high profile artists including Seamus Haji (UK), Freemasons (UK), Stonebridge (SE), Jamie Jones (UK), Sonny Fodera (AU/UK), and Monki(UK).
Upon becoming Lauren Neko, her message of LUV and colourful rebellion was ready to be shared with the world. With early releases on Ministry of Sound, and collaborations with hot artists like Nicky Romero and Roni Size, her music and life has taken her across the world. Her international bookings include Hed Kandi (Ibiza), Cloud 9 (Fiji), Karma Beach Club (Bali). Notable supports while living in the UK include Will Clarke (UK), Russell Morgan (K-Klass), and DJ Pierre (US).
Lauren uses music as a platform to encourage inclusivity and radical self-acceptance. All the feelings that she found coming out of that darker place early in her life. Her aura and message especially resonates with queer audiences who can find themselves a safe home on the dancefloor.
Ready to experience it yourself? Be sure to join Lauren Neko on Instagram, Spotify or on the Dance floor.
LIVE @ POOF DOOF - ivy
TOPLINE VOCALIST
Lauren Neko gets style, arrangement, and what it takes for a song to really work on the dancefloor.
As a featured topline vocalist, some of her career highlights include working with Roni Size, Nicky Romero, being featured on Ministry of Sound with Mobin Master. She has been featured on scores of compilations and nearly 20 Single/EP releases.
Working under a few Aliases, Lauren Neko can topline for house, indy-dance, progressive, tech, and disco.
Vocally, she's influenced by the captivating voices of Crazy P, Clementine Douglas, Crystal Waters and CHIC. Indy influences include Alison Goldfrapp, Aluna, Shirley Mason, Nao, and La Roux.
Performance + EVENT highlights, Residencies, Supports and Collaborations
Current/PAST Residencies
Universal Superclub - Sanctuary
The Imperial Erskineville
Tatler
Opera Bar
Blue Fig Bar
Kinselas
Tropikana Manly
UNDR CTRL DJ Roster
LUV’D UP Events:
LUV SENSATION - Tatler 2024
LUV’D UP! House Choir and Rooftop Host - Mardi Gras 2024
LUV’D UP! Sundays - Weekly at the Imperial Rooftop 2023
Winter Festival @ Darling Harbour 2022
SPRING pop-up @ Pitt Street Mall 2022
Xstatic Wonderland Festival 2022
Casa Aperol series @ Empire Lounge 2022
LIVE @ The Rocks 2022
Great Southern Nights Festival (NSW) as Event Programmer and Artist (LUV’D UP Sound System) 2021
Our House with LUV - Livestream 2020, 2021
Colour of LUV @ Bar Ombre 2020
Ladies LUV (series) @ Blue Fig 2019
Disco Bunniez @ Blue Fig 2019
LUV Parade @ Adelaide Fringe Festival 2019
LUV’D UP UV Sound System - VIVID Starship Sydney 2018
Artist Supports:
Sonny Fodera (AU/UK)
Will Clarke (UK)
Jamie Jones (UK)
Seamus Haji (UK)
Freemasons (UK)
Stonebridge (SE)
Russell Morgan [K-Klass] (UK)
DJ Pierre (US)
Juliet Fox (AU/DE)
Monki (UK)
Kid Kenobi (AU)
Rogue Traders (AU)
Artist Collaborations:
Mobin Master (featured on Ministry of Sound Housexy)
Nicky Romero
Roni Size
Blakk Habit
Simon Scruby (Toolroom)
Friendless
Paul Brandoli
International:
Karma Kandara, (Bali, Indonesia) 2023
Cloud 9 - (Fiji) 2022
Brisfest (Bristol, UK) 2012, 2013
Fantazia (Birmingham, UK) 2013
Harbourside Festival (Bristol, UK) 2012
Support for DJ Pierre (Bath, UK) 2012
Musicology @ Hed Kandi (Ibiza) 2011
Support for K-Klass (Russell Morgan)(Bristol, UK) 2011
Oz Festivals:
World Pride/Mardi Gras 2023
Mardi Gras 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
Xstatic Wonderland Festival (Sydney) 2022
Winter Festival @ Darling Harbour 2022
Adelaide Fringe Festival 2019
Newtown Festival 2019
VIVID @ Opera Bar with LUV’D UP UV Sound System 2019
VIVID Festival (Sydney) 2018 + 2019
Art Not Apart (Canberra, AU) 2017, 2018
Heaven on the Harbour NYE (Sydney) 2018
Domestic:
Soul Heaven 2024
Kinki Malinki 2024
Dykadellic 2023
Poof Doof (Headline) 2022
Mardi Gras SGLBA Ball 2021, 2022, 2023
Poolclub Sundays IVY 2023
Broken Heel Festival - Imperial (Priscillas) 2021
NYE @ Imperial Basement VIP Party 2021
Absolut House of Love - Mardi Gras opening party 2020
Supporting Jamie Jones (Rodd Richards Presents/T1000 Events at Home Nightclub)
Great Southern Nights Festival (NSW)
Spektrum LIVESTREAM Festival , 2020
Hickson Road NYE 2020
Daybreaker Sydney - ONE LOVE, 2020
The Great Gatsby (Presented by Beyond Cinema, Sydney) 2018
Wonder Woman (Headline Artist) 2018
Support Sonny Fodera @ Hotel Richmond
Brands represented
Campari/Aperol
Absolut
Johnny Walker
Schweppes
Asahi Beverages
The Iconic