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SOBER QUEERS AND BRISTOL SOBER SPACES JOIN FORCES FOR AN EVENING OF TEE-TOTAL EUPHORIA.
SOBER QUEERS AND BRISTOL SOBER SPACES JOIN FORCES FOR AN EVENING OF TEE-TOTAL EUPHORIA.
Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of stepping through the doors of Bristol's sober community, being warmly welcomed with a mixed bag of musicians, performances and poetry that effortlessly wrapped the night in wonderfully high spirits - without the spirits.
With younger generations taking the lead in saying goodbye to booze, the need for alcohol free spaces has become undeniable. Having danced between the definition of sobriety throughout the whole of my twenties (and now 4 months clean!), I was eager to get involved in this movement, which has been lovingly and meticulously crafted for those searching for the freedom of dance, but the comfort of clear headedness.
Having launched in 2022, Bristol Sober Spaces have been paving the way for both sober and sober curious music lovers to reclaim their part of the scene, in an environment that removes the noise of drinking culture. Being managed by Bristol Drugs Project, their main mission is to transform our beloved venues into safe spaces for the sober community, at an accessible and affordable rate. BSS celebrates diversity and welcomes anyone and everyone to experience the joy of being sober. Since their conception, they have curated nights that boast a multitude of genres, and have invited the likes of Roni Size, Nicki Blackmarket, Milly on Air and much more.
The void that Bristol Sober Spaces has been filling in our city is an absolute privilege to have access to, and Sober Queers are doing an incredible job of ensuring that the city’s queer community also have a seat at the table. Having had the opportunity to see within this space last weekend, It was truly magical to see nothing but beautifully loud, unfiltered and sober, queer joy wash through the Loco Klub.
The lineup itself was one to behold, and Bristol’s favourite fun-gi, Gender Criminal, was the first to grace the stage as the multi-faceted host for the evening. Glittering the event with his poetry, drag numbers and a sense of mycelium mischief, Gender Criminal brought everything together with ease, moving through the venue in between acts and filling the room with light, laughter and moments of reflection.
The ethereal Kerensa enchanted the audience with their performance, delivering haunting melodies from their guzheng, paired with heavenly vocals that celebrated both their Chinese and English heritage. Kerensa is one that has remained in the forefront of my mind since that night, and an artist who I have had the joy of exploring. Their ability to weave through genres and stories on stage had left the crowd in a trance. With everyone seated on the floor of the venue, fully taking in the music, this first act was incredibly intimate.
Juju swiftly changed the pace, with her beautifully unrelenting gothic force that rocked the main room. She was an enigmatic wonder on stage, backed by her highly skilled band that elevated her presence. Those in attendance went from gracefully swaying to Kerensa, to bouncing around to Juju’s darker sound - a prime example of the remarkable blend of genres that Sober Queers and BSS has to offer.
Taking the evening into rave territory, the one and only Slaggamuffin was in charge of the final set of the night. If you don’t know Slagga, then you simply must prioritise witnessing what they bring to the table. Their Baile Funk flavours were absolutely delectable, and were ravenously eaten up by everyone on the dancefloor - particularly by me at the front. Each minute of their DJ set elevated the last, giving everyone a real space to unmask, loosen up and go feral at a night that supports the need for sobriety. And honestly, who needs booze with a set like that? Chefs kiss.
The void that Bristol Sober Spaces has been filling in our city is an absolute privilege to have access to, and Sober Queers are doing an incredible job of ensuring that the city’s queer community also have a seat at the table. Having had the opportunity to see within this space last weekend, It was truly magical to see nothing but beautifully loud, unfiltered and sober, queer joy wash through the Loco Klub.
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