DIVA. DJ. PRODUCER. ARTIST
Lauren Neko is a one-person powerhouse, delivering electric performances in DJing and vocal artistry. Personifying the glamour, groove, and defiance of House and Disco of yesteryear, Lauren is at home in queer clubs, house bars, lush rooftops and festival stages. As an ARIA Club Chart DJ, Lauren Neko is a vibrant contemporary force in the Sydney music scene, with residencies and headline performances at some of the city's hottest venues.
Lauren Neko has lived and breathed music as a musician and singer since a young age - but her passion for dance ignited when she was introduced to the world of 90s House and Rave. Lauren spent three years living and performing in the UK (Bristol) to further experience a diversity of dance music sounds. It was when she moved to Sydney in 2013 that she began her DJing journey. Starting out as a dance music vocalist gives Lauren an edge, she has a unique ability to infuse her performances with hot toplines, captivating grooves, and infectious energy.
Lauren Neko's sound as a DJ is a rich fusion of House, Funk, and Disco influences. Vocally, she's influenced by the captivating voices of Goldfrapp, Crazy P, and Donna Summer, as well as the iconic sounds of Crystal Waters, Taylor Dayne and Cece Penniston.
Defined by an impressive array of performances and support gigs, she has headlined at prestigious events like Poof Doof, and supported high profile artists including Seamus Haji (UK), Freemasons (UK), Stonebridge (SE), Jamie Jones (UK), Sonny Fodera (AU/UK.) Her international bookings include Ibiza for Hed Kandi, Cloud 9 (Fiji), Karma Beach Club (Bali). Notable supports while living in the UK include Will Clarke (UK), performing with Russell Morgan (K-Klass), and DJ Pierre (US).
Lauren uses music as a platform to champion self-acceptance, love, and inclusivity – especially for queer audiences.
In a world full of DJs, what sets Lauren apart is her dedication to toplining and the art of song. More recently she released music as producer and vocalist on Hot Sunday Recordings (#57 on the ARIA Clubchart and upcoming releases Dare To Recordings.
TOPLINE VOCALIST
Lauren Neko knows how to write for dance. Be it a simple hook and drop, or a fully structured song. Lauren has a deep understanding of arrangement and impact required to work on dancefloors.
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.
With a 2024 release calendar stacking up. get in touch if you think there is a track that is in need of some vocal love.
Performance + EVENT highlights, Residencies, Supports and Collaborations
Current/PAST Residencies
Universal Superclub - Sanctuary
The Imperial Erskineville
Tatler
Botswana Rooftop
Opera Bar
Blue Fig Bar
Kinselas
Tropikana Manly
UNDR CTRL DJ Roster
LUV’D UP Events:
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)
Kid Kenobi (AU)
Rogue Traders (AU)
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)
Artist Collaborations:
Mobin Master (featured on Ministry of Sound Housexy)
Nicky Romero
Roni Size
Blakk Habit
Simon Scruby (Toolroom)
Jordan Love (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 Russell Morgan of K-Klass (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:
Dykadellic 2023
Poof Doof (Headline) 2022
Mardi Gras SGLBA Ball 2021, 2022, 2023
Mardi Gras vs Broken Heel Festival - Imperial Ground Floor 2021
NYE @ Imperial Basement VIP Party 2021
Absolut House of Love at the Imperial - 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
Supporting Kid Kenobi @ BFLF 2018
Cafe Del Mar, 2020
LUV’D UP @ Bar Ombré , 2020
Support Sonny Fodera @ Hotel Richmond