Let loose on the dance floor with Divas of House

Featuring two DJs playing back-to-back, a roving saxophone on the dance floor, and live guitar solos, Brisbane-based band Divas of House is set to deliver a unique musical experience at this year's Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival.

This will be the second time musicians Andrew Wilson and Ryan Livings have played at the festival, which they say has a nice “home town feeling”.

“We are both based in Brisbane so it’s just a short trip out to the bay for us,” Andrew says.

“We are lucky enough to perform all over the country, but we love playing in places like Moreton Bay because it has that home town feeling.

“We had the absolute pleasure of playing at the festival last year, which we loved from the beginning to the end.

“I have been told we are coming back at an even busier time this year, so we can’t wait to see everyone on the dance floor.”

With both musicians skilled in deejaying and playing multiple instruments, they knew they were onto a winner when they combined the two.

“We are lucky as we both know how to DJ so we’re able to leave the decks and play whilst the other person is making sure the next song is coming in smoothly,” Andrew explains.

“I pluck some guitar strings and Ryan can play everything in an orchestra, but he is known for crushing it on the saxophone.

“We occasionally have other instruments on stage, and we’re currently working on an even more exciting live show using original stems and mixing live that way.”

With the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival less than a month away, Andrew says he and Ryan have planned an epic playlist to get the party started.

“We like to have a lot of fun with the crowd - we’re constantly changing up the set and we love not telling the other person about a new track until it’s already playing on the set,” Andrew says.

“Keeping it spontaneous and fun definitely keeps the vibe alive on stage, and we hope that translates into energy on the dance floor.

“We both love songs with classic vocal lines that everyone loves but reworked to have more punch and a disco bass line.

“I don’t want to give too much away, but we recently started collaborating with some amazing producers to make some disco driven re-works of classic songs that we will be debuting at the festival.

“For homework, I recommend everyone listen to artists like Stars on 54, Flight Facilities, Celine Dion, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, LeAnne Rimes, Robbie Williams, plus many more.

“We will be playing some versions you haven’t heard before – it definitely won’t sound like your FM radio on a Saturday afternoon!”

Catch them on The Springs Stage on Friday, August 23 from 7.30pm.

Ryan will also be appearing on The Oasis Stage earlier in the day at 3pm.

About the band

Andrew and Ryan first started playing together in August 2016 when they were both randomly booked to play at a gig in South Bank.

“I was a last-minute fill in as my office was based down the road and I was able to run straight there after work,” Andrew explains.

“We both had an amazing night and I remember we just clicked musically, and both understood how to let the other person shine whilst playing a supporting role.

“At that time, my marketing agency was running a weekly Sunday event called Soho Sundays and I invited Ryan that night to join us on The Fox Hotel’s rooftop a few months later as we were launching a new summer music program.

“He fit the bill so well, and after that, we played countless shows together to crowds all over Brisbane.

“I was playing under the name Divas of House with a bunch of other people for a few years, but it never really fit the vibe of what I wanted to bring to the stage.

“Ryan and I ended up forming a little crew (shoutout to Mick Burrill on the percussion) to headline a festival under the same name in 2018 and it just worked.

“It wasn’t until the middle of Covid that we really took the name and the brand seriously as we both had time to finally work on our show.

“Since then, we have played hundreds of gigs and I think we have developed something very unique in this music space.”

For updates about future gigs, follow Divas of House on Facebook and Instagram.

Secure your tickets

Held over three big days from August 23-25, the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival is Queensland’s biggest foodie celebration with special appearances by a host of celebrity chefs, live cooking demonstrations, unique dining experiences, pop-up bars and restaurants, food trucks, local produce, market stalls, music, hands-on workshops and more.

Every adult and concession 18+ ticketholder will also receive a free Festival Cup to utilise with the vendors during the festival.

Tickets are on sale now via the Moreton Bay Food + Wine website.