Have party collectives become more influential than clubs?

For the majority of nightlife history, clubs have been the focal point of the party landscape. But over the past 10 years, there has been a tremendous shift in power. Iconic venues of previous eras like Studio 54, The Hacienda and Tresor used to be the beating hearts of nightlife, helping shape scenes, engineer new sounds, and dictate the look, feel and general culture of going out. But as internet usage became more prominent in the 1990s and 2000s, anyone with a wifi connection was able to share information and start building their own communities and networks, outside of established clubs. The explosion of social media in the subsequent decade further democratized outreach, marketing and promotional practices, allowing newcomers–regardless of their professional background–to create successful events and leave their mark on club culture.  

The resulting rise in party collectives around the world has disrupted and, in turn, reshaped the way that the nightlife system has long operated. While it was once typical to go to a club without even looking at the lineup, more people today are going to venues they never would have stepped foot in otherwise, to attend parties hosted by collectives that they know and trust, or that have garnered specific reputation. Although these collectives lack a fixed space to host their events, their detachment and independence from any particular institution has enabled them to create clubbing experiences that are more experimental, more political, more novel, more niche, and ultimately, more resonant to their target communities. Now, their impact has extended far beyond the realm of nightlife. With countless collectives around the world starting record labels, engaging in big-brand fashion collaborations, partnering with prestigious institutions and even throwing festivals, these roving cohorts have developed into formidable cultural forces. In a time when gentrification and financial strain make the survival of venues more difficult than ever, it feels only fair to ask the question: have party collectives become more influential than clubs? 

We asked the collectives 2CPERREA, Sirän, Lunchbox Candy, Veselka and the club, FOLD, how they’re making sense of the shifting landscape of power in club culture. 

What blank space did you hope to fill in local nightlife by creating 2CPERREA?

We started 2CPERREA as a response to the lack of inclusive and queer safe spaces that existed in London to enjoy Latin music–specifically perreo. The only parties that played reggaeton or music from Latin America weren’t very welcoming to queer people and
and replicated misogynistic dynamics that marginalize those who don’t align with systemic binaries. Reggaeton and other Latin sounds also weren’t being taken seriously. Being from that part of the world, we wanted a place where we could enjoy it and show the girls how much fun this music can be.

Do you believe that party collectives have grown to be more powerful than clubs?

We wouldn’t say that collectives are more powerful than clubs, as it’s generally venues that decide what nights are run. In London, it’s becoming increasingly hard to find venues to host parties by queer communities–but parties and collectives are indeed gaining importance, especially for people who are looking for more than just a night out.

It’s hard to pinpoint why this shift occurred, but from our point of view, it seems like people were looking for a change. Nightlife needed new people, new input and new sounds–it needed something to disrupt how things had been and to give space to people who didn’t have it. We’ve noticed that many other nights with more experimental sounds or proposals are becoming more popular. Some clubs are recognizing this and working together with nights by them offering lower fees or support through bookings, which gives more niche sounds the opportunity to grow. Nowadays, we are creating a more diverse queer diaspora, because fewer people are willing to conform themselves to the culture of existing spaces and are instead creating their own. We feel this is the only way forward.

Credits

Why did you form Sirän?

We started Sirän to reconnect Istanbul’s underground with the international community––and to offer some healing and support for the local scene, which has been affected by the oppressive politics and economic situation in Turkey. We hoped to provide a new space for international exchange and solidarity, in an environment where culture is being consumed by the industry.

Do you believe that clubs still wield more influence than party collectives?

The power dynamic between clubs and party collectives is related to their available resources, with the ideal case being their coexistence. We still have very powerful and important clubs today, and there has always been a collective movement making them so. It is, however, becoming evident that collectives show a higher potential for resilience, as we’ve been losing our spaces all around the world to various local or global crises, gentrification, political agendas, and so on. Even though it’s extremely hard to exist without proper spaces, collectives still inform their surroundings and have the flexibility to travel to other cities, which makes them more important for culture in the long term.

Can you share some background information about your venue?

From its inception, FOLD sought to fill a void in London’s nightlife by providing a platform for up-and-coming and established electronic music artists, and by fostering a sense of inclusivity and diversity–particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. Its founders Lasha Zhorzholiani (Voicedrone) and Sebastian Glover envisioned a space where creativity could flourish and boundaries could be pushed–where the conventions of traditional clubbing experiences could be challenged. As a leading destination for underground electronic music, the club remains true to its roots while embracing new sounds and movements.

How has the rise of party collectives affected FOLD and nightlife culture, more broadly?

In recent years, the rise of party collectives has reshaped the landscape of London’s nightlife, ushering in a new era of community-driven events and grassroots movements. FOLD has embraced this shift, recognizing the power of collective action in shaping the future of club culture. Collaborations with party collectives have enriched FOLD’s programming, bringing fresh perspectives and diverse partnerships. These partnerships have enabled FOLD to remain at the forefront of innovation while staying true to its core values. The influence of party collectives extends beyond FOLD’s walls, permeating the broader nightlife scene and redefining expectations for clubbing experiences. Together, FOLD and party collectives have forged a new path forward, one defined by creativity, community, and a shared passion for the arts and music.

Why did you start Lunchbox Candy?

We wanted to foster a space that championed the values we are now known for: radical self-expression, the transformative power of a dance floor and a participatory approach that celebrates queerness as a state of mind and being. We wanted to create an occasion that is welcome to all bodies and identities–which differs from the existing parties targeted primarily at gay men–and to curate a playful and uplifting sound that presents an alternative to the dark techno that Berlin is famous for.

How do you think party collectives have impacted the nightlife landscape?

There’s something special about looking forward to an event that you love that isn’t every weekend. Everyone navigates nightlife with different intentions. With more diverse events to choose from, there’s more of a chance for people to expand experiences and find something that speaks to them. When we’ve played or attended events at the venue that hosts Lunchbox on other nights, there’s a totally different energy. Although clubs provide the platform that allows parties to come to life, it’s the collective’s efforts and curation that make it a special occasion.

This labor of love is what people find appealing because clubs often can’t invest the same kind of effort when they are throwing event after event. We’ve shifted into a time where clubs facilitate independent parties rather than curating them all by themselves, and this provides space for newcomers and evolution. However, with prices rising and more and more parties being created, it is hard for collectives to survive–particularly the new ones. If you’re reading this, support your local collectives and–before you ask for a guestlist–remember that every euro you spend at the door helps keep the dream alive.

What void in nightlife did you hope to fill, in creating VESELKA?

VESELKA (which translates to “rainbow” in Ukrainian) was founded in Kyiv in 2018 as the city’s first safe space for queer and open-minded people. Initially, our mission was to spread equality, tolerance and freedom through the power of rave in Ukraine. Since the start of the big war in our homeland, we changed our central message to: “There is no rainbow without yellow and blue.” Now, we travel around the world organizing fundraising events, participating in panel discussions and creating sustainable networks with allies and initiatives that share our values.

Do you think the rise of party collectives has changed the role of clubs in nightlife?

Although the venues and clubs honestly do have more resources, a collective has a closer connection to its audience, which is essential for any club. If a collective can unite enough like-minded people around them, their voice is listened to by bigger organizations and venues, whose ultimate goal is to drive traffic and increase visitors. A collective with a substantial social platform can expose industry insights, influence trends and lead audiences, thus affecting club choices. Venues still provide essential space for the collective, so we believe in a collaboration between the two.

Published April 22, 2024.