It’s Now or Never for Chuleo Club’s biggest statement yet
Lina Zabaleta dreamt of a space where – even if only for a few hours – people could celebrate individuality under the spell of LatinX frequencies, bound together by respect, acceptance, and a love of shaking ass.
Chuleo Club; a femme-led LatinX collective, was born from this dream – but what it’s become today, Lina says, belongs to an entire community.
As Now or Never approaches, worldbuilding at its heart, Lina reflects on the world that Chuleo Club has built.
Now or Never
- When: 19–30 August 2026
- Where: Various venues across Melbourne
- Tickets here
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
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A state of survival
Lina was born in Bogota, Colombia.
Her childhood was awash with music, from traditional Latin styles like cumbia and corralejos, to Michael Jackson and The Beatles. It was her love for the latter that sparked her interest in English.
Never one to shy away from hard work, Lina enrolled in an English course and moved to Melbourne.
“I got here in 2012 looking for the Australian dream.”
But life in Australia wasn’t easy.
For her first years in Melbourne, Lina was in survival mode. Working multiple jobs to make ends meet, overcoming language barriers and navigating visa requirements were among the biggest challenges.
“When I got here, I realised that I was another migrant with no English. Not many people could understand me. I have to be honest – thirty years ago, being someone from Latin America wasn’t as cool as it is now.”
After eight years of struggle, Lina’s visa was about to expire. So, she chose to enjoy what time she had left and bought a ticket to Strawberry Fields Festival.
It was there that she met her long-term partner – thus securing a measure of safety after years of uncertainty.
The Birth of Zalina
In 2020, driven by a growing sense of homesickness, Lina returned to the nostalgic sounds of Latin America – namely, reggaeton.
But back home, things had evolved. A new generation of producers were reinventing the Latine music scene, embracing heritage while forging a path for its future.
At its helm; DJ Rosa Pistola. A Columbia-born, Mexico-based artist who Lina was greatly influenced by.
“I [was] inspired to see her – there’s not many female DJs in the scene doing reggaeton. And I loved it. I love her presence. I was like, “This is so sick.””
At the same time, Lina was learning to DJ and “…doing parties for 100 people.” Seeing the potential to bring Latin America’s underground music energy to Naarm, she reached out to Rosa Pistola – and to her surprise, received a reply.
With the venue secured and the lineup announced, Chuleo Club’s first event sold out within days. Lina’s alter ego, DJ Zalina, made her debut, and Chuleo Club cemented its place in Naarm’s club scene.
It’s now or never
Two years ago, Lina had to fiercely negotiate with Melbourne venues for a slot. Now, Chuleo Club is taking over Melbourne Town Hall as part of Now or Never.
“…Being at Melbourne Town Hall, which is an Australian institution, and taking it over with a full LatinX lineup – it’s a very impactful and big move. It’s a statement…”
Heading the lineup is Peruvian-American artist, A.Chal. A fixture since the 2010s, his recent work has truly propelled him into the spotlight.
“I’ve been following A.Chal for the last couple of years, and his new direction, it’s really interesting… I can identify with that, ’cause people that go overseas really lose a little bit of their roots, so reconnecting with that is very inspiring,” Lina said.
Slim Soledad, LIZZ, Dinamarca and Zalina are also set to perform on the night, alongside Kiki House of Furia, within a curated space courtesy of N0 R3PLY.
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Dance: a universal language
“Chuleo now has the opportunity to create spaces for everyone. And everyone wants to work with Chuleo, so I’m like – “you know what? I’m gonna use this for good.”
At its core, Chuleo Club envisions a world that dismantles stereotypes, champions self-definition, and amplifies marginalised voices. What began as a club night has grown into a genuine movement; its “ecosystem” upheld by a community of Latine creatives, predicated upon values of respect, acceptance and love.
And, of course, it’s Lina’s hope that people leave these events feeling lighter, but also “tired from shaking ass.”
Chuleo Club: A.Chal / Slim Soledad / LIZZ / Dinamarca / Zalina is on Friday 28 August at Melbourne Town Hall. Tickets are selling fast, visit the Now or Never website to purchase and check out the rest of the program.
Beat is a proud media partner of Now or Never.
King Gizzard are curating a two-day Croxton Block Party this October
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are transforming a Thornbury carpark into their own two-day festival this October.
The Croxton Block Party returns for 2026 following a well-received debut last year, and this time King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have hand-picked the entire bill from top to bottom. The band cap each night with a mammoth three-hour set, while the Croxton carpark is once again converted into a mini festival site across the two days of music.
The Croxton Block Party 2026
- The Croxton, Melbourne/Naarm
- 17 and 18 October
- Gates 12pm
- Single-day tickets $100, two-day tickets $185 (strictly limited)
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Sharing the 17 October bill are Japanese pop-punk band Shonen Knife, Byron Bay psych-rockers Babe Rainbow, Heavy Moss, Moktar, Techno666, B3LLY and a Stu Mackenzie Eurorack set. Over on 18 October, the lineup brings Northern Beaches rock and roll outfit C.O.F.F.I.N, Gut Health, ORB, Public Figures, Glyconic and another Moktar appearance. Organisers have confirmed more names will be added to both days closer to the weekend.
Every ticket also throws a $1 Solar Slice towards climate impact organisation FEAT, helping fund biodiversity restoration on Lungtalanana Island in Tasmania. Led by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre with backing from WWF, Green Collar, the University of Tasmania and FEAT, the project aims to return the Bass Strait wombat and long-nosed potoroo to the island.
The pairing runs deep. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard played their first Croxton show back in 2015, not long after the venue opened, and have returned many times since. That run includes a three-night residency in 2016, shows around the release of Polygondwanaland in 2018 and a bushfire benefit set in 2020.
Tickets tend to move quickly for events like this. An artist and promoter presale runs from 28 July at 12pm through to 30 July at 12pm, before general tickets go on sale from 31 July at 12pm. Gates open at midday each day, with single-day passes priced at $100 and strictly limited two-day passes at $185.
For more information, head here.
Scattered Limbs + Bifurcation
womanasfleshonanopenmarket
Flangipanis
Mind Stain
Blackbird
Moss Dealer
Bodyjar
Body Shirt
Low Monroe
Sunday Honey
The Dandy Buzzkills
Good Music presents All Star.
Full venue takeover @ The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick.
DJ’s playing indie and alternative hits.
Also featuring live performances.
5pm-3am.
Free entry before 8pm. $10 tickets on door. RSVP now.
18+ event.
Loin Groin
Smashfest XL
The Dark Eighties / Cave Of Bats
Good Music presents All Star.
Full venue takeover @ The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick.
DJ’s playing indie and alternative hits.
Also featuring live performances.
5pm-3am.
Free entry before 8pm. $10 tickets on door. RSVP now.
18+ event.