German pop sensation and songwriter Kim Petras has been confirmed as a headliner at Sydney WorldPride’s closing concert Rainbow Republic presented by Optus on Sunday, March 5, 2023. American band MUNA as well as Australia’s own Peach PRC, Alter Boy, BVT, and Vetta Borne will join Petras on stage at The Domain.

“I’m so happy to be back in Sydney supporting WorldPride! Headlining Mardi Gras was a really inspiring moment back in 2019 and it was one of my favorite Pride events ever, so I’m really excited to see my Australian fans again and take everything to a whole new level,” said Petras.

Petras is riding a wave of hits, including her recent Grammy nomination for global No. 1 Unholy with Sam Smith. Unholy also saw Petras become the first publicly trans performer to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with the song also being an ARIA No. 1 locally in Australia. Petras’ discography includes Heart to BreakFuture Starts Now,  Coconuts and Malibu

Kim Petras (Photo courtesy of Sydney WorldPride)

Petras also recently released her new guitar-driven single If Jesus Was A Rockstar, where she reflects on finding her own relationship with spirituality and creating her own more inclusive Jesus after not feeling welcomed by the institution of religion while growing up. 

Kim has become one of music’s most buzzed-about talents, self-styling a massively dynamic career with a string of critically acclaimed singles and projects, more than a billion global streams, sold-out headline tours of North America and Europe as well as sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne, and lavish praise from major mainstream publications and taste-making outlets worldwide. Now signed to Republic Records/Amigo Records, Kim is gearing up to release more new music in 2023.

G Flip and Keiynan Lonsdale will co-host Rainbow Republic and perform at the seven-hour closing concert at The Domain, as Sydney hands to baton to the WorldPride 2025 host city Washington DC.

Kim Petras (Photo courtesy of Sydney WorldPride)
Kim Petras (Photo courtesy of Sydney WorldPride)

The city of Sydney is excited to host the first WorldPride in the Southern Hemisphere and tens of thousands of international visitors are expected to descend onto the Harbour City! 

“We are ready to celebrate and showcase our diverse and inclusive city to a global audience and highlight our creativity, innovation, and unique natural and cultural experiences that the Harbour City is internationally renowned for. “As the major strategic partner of Sydney WorldPride, the NSW Government is so pleased that Kim Petras is joining the Rainbow Republic as a headline performer,” said Ben Franklin, NSW Minster for Tourism and the Arts.

Sydney WorldPride organizers believe this celebration will not only be for the young and young at heart but also showcase LGBTQ+ creativity. “With music ringing out in the Sydney summer, Rainbow Republic will be the perfect way to celebrate everything WorldPride has been, and we are excited to have Kim Petras return to Australia to be with us for this historic moment,” said Kate Wickett, Chief Executive of Sydney WorldPride.  


Final tickets to Rainbow Republic are available now at SydneyWorldPride.com. Final tickets are also now available for Domain Dance Party featuring Kelly Rowland and Bondi Beach Party presented by Optus featuring Nicole Scherzinger. The ballot to take part in Pride March across the Sydney Harbour Bridge is open until January 8, 2023.

Explore the 300+ free and ticketing events in the Sydney WorldPride Festival Guide. Receive the latest news by subscribing to the Sydney WorldPride newsletter.