Gay Folks Do DJ Streams Whilst Clubs Falter

03/07/2020

It's a new moral panic. The press sometimes get these spectral heebie jeebies, and it has even affected that most liberal of institutions, The Guardian, which is more immune than most of the British press from apopleptic rage with the latest antics of uncontrollable youth. It seems that, twenty five years after the state thought that it had done away with unlicensed raves, so the phenomenon is back. Trans people will at least be pleased that papers like the notorious transphobic Times or Telegraph will have something fresh to get their proverbial knickers in a twist over rather than their recent banging on about gender ideology. Illegal parties have been taking place, particularly in London and Manchester, and some have turned into confontations with the authorities, which is somewhat different from the raves of the nineteen nineties, when people were frequently “loved up” on Ecstasy and the movement was influenced by the free festivals of the hippie scene. LGBTQ network Gaydio FM which broadcasts to London on digital DAB radio and to Manchester on 88.4 FM, have joined up with Sky News to speak to influential house music legend Carl Cox, whose career has included early warehouse parties to the big superclubs of the present, and from pirate radio in the capital to BBC Radio One residencies. Carl Cox says the illegal scene is thriving during the coronavirus crisis because there is still no timeline on clubs and festivals reopening. However, Mr Cox said he would not personally support the re-appearing illegal rave scene because they were in his words “not the answer” to young people's increasing sense of alienation and frustration. This prompted some to point out that the music he himself promotes would not be in existence if it were not for underground and loosely regulated clubs in seventies gay New York. Sky News spoke to one raver, who has been to several illegal underground events in the past few weeks with between 40 and 200 people - events she says are nothing like the ones in Brixton and Manchester that have hit the headlines for reasons of violence and alleged sexual assault. She said: "It's exciting and adventurous and there is an element of freedom which you don't find in a bar or a club." The woman claimed that the illegal raves had responsible ethics and first aiders, contrary to the charge from government and the police. Michael Kill of the Night Time Industries Association, told the government that if they wanted to stop illegal raves from happening, then the legitimate clubbing industry needs support and investment, warning that otherwise, many clubs would go to the wall over the coming months. Mr Kill's warning has been echoed by many who make their living in the gay and trans clubbing world. Meanwhile, QX Magazine, the monthly gay club magazine, reports that gay club DJs have found a legitimate alternative to illegal street parties, using technology. They catch up with DJ Olly Waldron, who says “When lockdown began, I had moments of feeling really disillusioned and uninspired – I missed my friends, nightlife was on its arse, and there didn’t seem much point in planning an event when there’s no hope for group gatherings on the horizon. This is where Queerantine came in. I had the idea to start recording an LGBTQ+ podcast – in which I could play some tunes and have frank discussions about current affairs and protecting mental health during lockdown. I soon realised what everyone needs right now is escapism, so this idea turned to streaming live DJ sets on instagram. The momentum picked up, and before long I was hosting a balls-to-the-wall live weekly party on Zoom. I have been able to see everyone’s faces, everyone dancing and luckily, the feedback from the community watching has been rapturous!”. Read more of Olly's remarks in the excellent QX Magazine, which you will find at the tentatively reopening bars and clubs of the community in London and Brighton, and online at Qxmagazine.com.