RISING has fired the starting shot for its 2026 festival, revealing that global street dance powerhouse The Royal Family Dance Crew will storm into Melbourne with Defend the Throne, a one night only showcase at Hamer Hall on Sunday 7 June. The announcement positions the Auckland based crew as one of the headline international drawcards of the season, underscoring RISING’s growing commitment to dance as a central pillar of its program.
Few groups have shaped the contemporary landscape of commercial dance quite like The Royal Family. Founded by choreographer Parris Goebel, the crew has influenced pop culture at every level, from award winning music videos to stadium scale performances. Their work first captured global attention after securing three consecutive MegaCrew titles at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, and their imprint has only intensified since. Their choreography has become synonymous with some of the most recognisable artists of the past decade including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Doja Cat and Ariana Grande.
Defend the Throne promises a high octane retrospective of the crew’s most iconic sets from the past fourteen years, alongside new work created especially for the tour. Melbourne audiences can expect the full force of Parris Goebel’s signature Polyswagg style, rooted in the rhythm, intensity and emotional charge of Aotearoa’s Polynesian youth. The show draws on an extraordinary catalogue of choreography that has amassed billions of views across digital platforms, from Bieber’s seismic Sorry video to Super Bowl halftime spectacles for Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez.
RISING’s Artistic Director and CEO Hannah Fox describes the crew as a natural fit for the 2026 festival vision. “The Royal Family Dance Crew aren’t just cultural powerhouses, they’ve reshaped the global language of movement. Their work is fierce, precise and completely unfiltered,” she said. Fox added that their inclusion reflects the energy and ambition shaping both the upcoming festival and the inaugural Australian Dance Biennial. “Defend the Throne is going to hit Melbourne like a lightning bolt.”
As the Australian Dance Biennial launches in 2026, Defend the Throne signals the scale and direction of the new initiative. The Biennial will feature a curated national selection of works, a dedicated BlakFutures program, a National Dance Gathering, and a delegate initiative aimed at strengthening global touring pathways. The Royal Family’s presence sets a high benchmark for what audiences can expect from this expanded focus on movement, innovation and cross cultural exchange.
Tickets for Defend the Throne open to presale from 3 to 5 December, with general sale from 5 December via rising.melbourne. Further RISING 2026 program announcements will follow in March.