Go backstage with The Music and receive FREE:

  • Exclusive members-only editorial, charts
  • Our subscriber-only newsletter
  • Members only competitions to win tickets, experiences and more
  • Access to our street press archives
  • First access to our exclusive limited edition vinyl variants

Thank you for being a part of our community! Enter your email address as verification and you'll be taken backstage right away.

Please ensure that you provide a valid email address.

EXCLUSIVE: US DJ Porter Robinson Laments Syd Lockouts & Aus Dance Culture

"I think clubbing particularly in Sydney is not as easy as it used to be."

More Porter Robinson Porter Robinson

American post-EDM trailblazer Porter Robinson has lamented the impact of both Stereosonic's suspension and Sydney's lockout laws on Australia's dance culture ahead of his and Hugo "Madeon" Leclercq's one-off Shelter Live Tour next month.

In an interview with The Music, Robinson says, "I'm really, really excited that we're getting to bring this [Shelter] show there.
 
"I've felt an unfortunate kind of distance from Australia recently, just because I think so many of those touring festival circuits have gone; have fallen by the wayside.

"I think clubbing particularly in Sydney is not as easy as it used to be. It's sad because there's a lot of music that's great that was being made in Australia — and continues to be made in Australia. I haven't been there in a while. I've missed it. I'm really excited to come back."

Robinson and Madeon have long performed independently at Stereosonic, with Madeon's 2011 run here his first-ever international tour. Robinson was last in Australia for 2015's Splendour In The Grass with his Worlds live show.

Madeon recalls fondly, "My very, very first tour ever, the first time I ever toured, was in Australia. I was 16 or 17 and I got a call and I was told that I was gonna play, at the time, Stereosonic — and I was gonna spend two weeks in Australia and tour there.

Join 'Backstage Pass', our FREE members program for music fans

"That was one of the most formative, memorable experiences of my life, obviously. So every time I come back to Australia — which is never often enough — I remember that and I'm incredibly moved. I have a special connection to Australia. When we put together the [Shelter] tour and knew that we were definitely gonna be able to make it there, that was a big relief. I was hoping we'd be able to do that."

Porter Robinson and Madeon's tour kicks off on 24 February. Check out our full interview with the duo here