Queerantine parties bring Gay Village into living rooms
APOPULAR LGBT+ club night that went virtual during lockdown has found new appreciation from those looking for a good time in the middle of a pandemic.
DJ Olly Waldron, 21, had been holding regular club nights in the Gay Village before lockdown and decided to keep the party going while revellers were stuck at home.
Olly has been hosting weekly Queerantine parties since March. Having started out via Instagram Live, the Saturday club nights have now transferred over to Zoom.
“I was trying to figure out a way of keeping my creativity going while also keeping up some momentum for my events,” Olly tells the M.E.N.
“I was originally going to start a podcast where I’d talk to LGBT+ friends in the community while playing music, but I faced loads of copyright issues so then came the idea of just streaming music through Instagram Live.”
Olly had been one of the regular DJs for club night Girls Night Out, which focuses on celebrating the music of electronic female artists.
The event was set up by Olly last year alongside club organiser Christopher Styles and drag artist Monopoly Phonic.
Having already built up a loyal audience, Olly, who also DJs at The Thompsons Arms, found people really connected to the new virtual setup.
“I got a lot of feedback saying how much people were enjoying it,” Olly says.
“People told me how it replicated a club atmosphere for them and how much of a good time they were having.”
Playing the likes of Dua Lipa and Charli XCX, along with more leftfield artists like SOPHIE and Slayyyter, Queerantine was fast becoming the highlight of people’s weeks.
“I started it as a way to keep myself occupied and to keep my mental health and productivity at bay,” Olly adds.
“But it’s also been a nice way for people to enjoy themselves.
It’s been really inspiring to see everyone again, dancing and having a good time, even though it was from the comfort of their own home.
“The opportunity to create such a safe space has made me feel really happy.”
Every Saturday, Olly dresses his city centre flat up with a Pride flag, disco lights and tinsel curtains in order to make it as ‘camp as possible’ and to help people get into the party spirit.
During the Zoom call, Olly will also spotlight different guests who come up on the screen for everyone to see.
Of course, people can choose whether they feel comfortable in sharing their faces or not.
“I think people at first were a little bit ambivalent to getting too much into it,” Olly laughs.
“But I have some very outlandish friends who don’t care who’s watching so they are able to get people going.
“I also dance like an idiot too, so that probably puts people at ease.”
Olly, who is originally from Stockport, says music has always played an important role in his life.
“I can really relate to those who use music and the arts in general as a bit of a lifeline and an escape,” he says.
“For me growing up, music was kind of my only friend.
“Especially growing up gay, it was very much film, TV and music where I found things that I could relate to.”
Olly admits he has a number of ideas in the pipeline for further events, including one honouring the 15th anniversary of Rachel Stevens album Come and Get It.
With the absence of Pride events across the country, Queerantine and similar events are more important than ever in uniting the LGBT+ community.
“The village is such an important safe space for so many LGBT+ people,” Olly says.
● Follow Queerantine on Facebook to find out how you can attend upcoming events.