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Poof Doof Launches Record Label: Exclusive

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SYDNEY, Australia – Fifteen years after Poof Doof first began spreading joy at parties across Australia, the legendary queer events and nightclub brand is entering the label business.

Poof Doof Records launches proper with its first release, “All I Need,” dropping Thursday (April 23) from resident Poof Doof artist Jimi the Kween, the beloved drag queen and musician.

The label is an extension of the colorful business formed in Melbourne in 2011 by founder and Anthony “Hockers” Hocking. “We built up the community and we’ve seen so many young, queer artists come through the doors and perform and play for our events, that it was kind of like a natural progression to start our label,” Hocking tells Billboard.

Its mission: to continue uplifting, nurturing and providing pathways for queer talent in Australia. And to share their music with the world. The new venture, Hocking continues, “has been on my mind for many years.”

Distribution is handled by AWAL Records, with Poof Doof Records partnering with Positive Feedback and Powerhouse Management, and with John Davis, creative director / festivals co-ordinator, playing a guiding hand.

In its early stages, the label will accept submissions. “Over time,” explains Davis, “we intend to evolve toward a more traditional A&R model, proactively identifying and developing emerging queer talent.”

The inspiration behind the first release isn’t hidden from view; it’s right there in the title. “All you really need is the people that love and support you around to lift you up and have a really good time,” Jimi the Kween tells Billboard. “So it’s kind of all centered on being around like-minded humans and celebrating each other, and then you can, you know, live your fantasies and be yourself. So that’s also kind of why it’s the perfect message for the first release on the label, too. The messaging behind it is celebration, and it’s pride, it’s joy.”

Poof Doof’s cheeky name made the leap into Australia’s mainstream many years ago, where the team has hosted major activations, including queer precincts and stage takeovers at such shows as Splendour In The Grass, Beyond The Valley and Pitch Festival. Wherever Aussies want to party.

Many of the biggest names in dance music have played its stages, including Carl Cox, Faithless, Seth Troxler, Melanie C, the Veronicas and many others.

Patrick Stevenson

Each year, the brand is front and center at Sydney Mardi Gras, getting the good times humming with a series of pool, boat and underwear parties, culminating in its iconic Mardi Gras Parade After Party. Its specialized events include Red Rave, Snap Crackle Pop XXL, POOF DOOF Drag Brunch and outdoor micro-festivals including A Gay On The Lawn and Yasss Queens Park.

“The Poof Doof audience at heart, a Poof Doof party, can be absolutely anything,” explains Davis, “but at the core of it, it’s about queer joy. Uplifting the community, good fun. Fun is the name of the game. If we’re not having fun, you’re not having fun. We are always about having a great time, making sure everything is colorful, inclusive.” And yes, “there’s confetti.”

With the launch of Poof Doof Records, out rolls its official website at poofdoofrecords.com. Label submissions can be made at music@poofdoofrecords.com.

Sonically, the label will be a broad palate, welcoming future-forward house and techno tunes, to artist-led pop and other styles. It’s unified not by genre, but by a joyful queer creative perspective, Hocking enthuses.

“If the music’s good, if the songs are good, we’ll put it out,” he says. “We don’t want to overpromise, we don’t want to stretch ourselves. But we’ll see what comes in the door.”

Timing is everything. Poof Doof Records launches ahead of June’s Global Pride Month. WorldPride 2026 will take over Amsterdam from July 25 to Aug. 8, 2026. Poof Doof will be on the ground, representing with its famous parties.

“With what’s going on, the world’s a pretty wild place right now,” notes Hocking. “All I Need” is a “feel good song that really speaks out to communities all over the world. The timing is right.”

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Taemin Feels ‘So Honored & Grateful’ to Be the First Male K-Pop Solo Artist to Perform at Coachella

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Taemin is making history a long way from home. SHINee member and K-pop star appeared on the Wednesday (April 1) episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, where he spoke about being part of this year’s Coachella lineup.

“You’re making history as the first K-pop male solo artist to perform at Coachella,” Hudson points out during their chat. “How does that feel?”

“There is a saying in Korea, ‘Big opportunities come three times in life,'” Taemin responds after sharing that he was feeling “honored and grateful” to be performing at the festival. “And this is one of them.”

Hudson continues the chat by asking the star if he will release more solo music.

“Oh, yes,” Taemin replies. “I am still evolving.”

The star was also on the talk show to perform his new single, “Long Way Home.” The “Idol’s Idol” sang alone on the stage, dancing effortlessly with his rhinestone microphone and mic stand for the adoring audience.

Performing at Coachella isn’t the only history Taemin is making this year. Billboard exclusively revealed in March that the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles will open a new exhibit dedicated to the K-pop star’s nearly two-decade long career, making him the first K-pop soloist to receive such recognition from the museum. “TAEMIN: Performer. Artist. Icon” will opens April 1 and will give fans a peek behind the curtains of Taemin’s career. Multiple performance looks — including one from his Ephemeral Gaze World Tour — will be on display as well as his official lightstick and a handwritten note addressed to his fans. The special exhibit will run through May 25.

Watch Taemin’s performance and chat on The Jennifer Hudson Show above.


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‘Pinky Up’! Here’s When KATSEYE’s New Single Arrives

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KATSEYE is taking EYEKONS to etiquette classes, and the first rule we’re learning? Pinkies up.

The HYBE K-pop girl group announced new single “Pinky Up” via a series of social media posts. The first arrived Monday (March 30). It was a cryptic video featuring the Mona Lisa bringing a piping hot cup of tea up to her mouth — pinky up, of course. The next came Tuesday morning (March 31), this time featuring an arcade claw machine with “KATSEYE” emblazoned across the top as the claw pulls out a sword from the midst of blinged out stuffed animals and a singular tea cup. What may be a hint to some of the song’s lyrics, the caption for the reel says, “We’re screaming from cloud nine!!”

The third post confirmed the arriving single and its artwork, featuring someone kneeling on a carpet behind with a tea cup on a saucer and a toy cat, and the title of the song across the front in hot pink lettering. The caption reads “PINKY UP SINGLE RELEASE” as well as the release date and time, April 9 at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET.

“Pinky Up” comes out just in time for KATSEYE’s Coachella debut on Friday (April 10). The single will also be the band’s first new work since record labels HYBE and Geffen announced last month that member Manon Bannerman would be taking a break from the group. Since Manon has stepped back, KATSEYE has continued their previously scheduled appearances, including performances at Lollapalooza Argentina and Lollapalooza Chile. On March 24, the band was announced as the headliner for the 2026 Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival, to take place on Aug. 8 in Passadena, Calif.

See KATSEYE’s posts about “Pinky Up” below:


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Zendaya’s Rue Is on the Run in New ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Trailer

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Television this year is about to get turned up a few notches, as Euphoria is slated to return with season three on April 12 following a four-year hiatus. HBO released a second trailer for the Zendaya-starring show on Monday (March 30).

The high-school days seem to be long in the rearview mirror, as season three feels more like a set of Grand Theft Auto campaign missions and takes place about five years post graduation.

The clip kicks off with Rue (Zendaya) being interrogated by authorities about a recent trip to Mexico. The scene pivots to her involvement with a Mexican drug lord, which finds Rue in a tricky predicament of having to swallow what appears to be a ball of drugs and act as a mule.

Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) toxic relationship ended with wedding bells, as the trailer shows the couple getting married, which is sure to come with plenty of drama. Maddie (Alexa Demie) also hops behind the camera to direct some adult content photo shoots for Cassie, who has rekindled their friendship.

Lexi (Maude Apatow) looks to have landed her dream job working on the set of a TV show. Euphoria also welcomes the returns of the late Eric Dane (who portrays Cal Jacobs), Colman Domingo (Ali), Dominic Fike (Elliot), Hunter Schafer (Jules) and Chloe Cherry (Faye).

“Mom, I really need to come home,” a teary-eyed Rue pleads with her mother. The superstar actress is also seen in the trailer being pulled over by police during a traffic stop, which appears to lead to the intense interrogation.

There’s also some new blood injected into season three, which will find appearances from Sharon Stone, former NFL star Marshawn Lynch, Rosalía, Danielle Deadwyler, Trisha Paytas, Natasha Lyonne and Eli Roth.

Season two aired in 2022, which came three years after a dynamic opening season in 2019.

Watch the Euphoria trailer above. Season three returns on April 12 on HBO, with the eight-episode season set to wrap on May 31.


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