Xciting, Xcessive, Sexy As Hell, It’s XXL!

XXL has been hauling in the heaving hoards of rugged bears, good-looking muscled gents, sexy boys and any man who wants a damn good party, for fourteen years now and their New Year’s Eve celebrations look to be no exception! On NYE itself you can expect a mammoth thirteen hour rave in the pounding arches of superclub Pulse with DJs Christian M, Alex Logan, Joe Egg and special guest DJ Andy Almighty!

But the party doesn’t stop on New Year’s Day, when the very special night XXL Fusion descends upon Pulse to get you vibrating and shaking on the dance floor again – plus, this is the one night of the year you can bring your female friends to dance with you, as the normally men-only venue accepts women on the first day of the year! Get yourself strutting your stuff at Fusion to guest DJs The Freemasons and Cahill alongside residents Christian M, Alex Logan and Joe Egg. We caught up with XXL owner, Mark Ames, to find out more about what’s been going on in 2013 and what we can expect at these huge parties…

 

What’s your favourite moment from XXL from 2013?
Not a lot of people know but Southwark Council tried to close XXL down this year. The planning department revoked our planning in 2012 because of the proposed development by the Carlyle Group. Last week we received word that we won our appeal against Southwark Council and our continued use of Pulse is safeguarded. We are very disappointed in the council’s attitude to the only gay-owned and operated venue in the Borough and especially that of our local counselor.

How would you describe the XXL experience to an XXL virgin?
Like a big, warm, furry hug.

How will NYE be different to the other weekly XXL Parties?
It’s the crowd, the crowd are totally up for it and that euphoria goes right through the club from DJs to bar staff to door staff – everyone is there to bring in the New Year.

Fusion is back on NYD! What can people look forward to?
Funkyhunks and lady bears with stomping sets from the Freemasons and Cahill and the XXL DJ team – this will be brilliant.

What if I’m not a bear, or even hairy, will they let me in?
As long as you’ve got a ding-dong and not wearing a twin set and pearls yes – just leave any attitude outside please!

What’s your proudest moment or achievement with XXL over the years?
Every week I’m incredibly proud. We’re into our 14th year and something that was considered a fringe of the gay scene is now truly a leader.

What are your New Year’s resolutions that you plan to make (then break!)?
Not get stressed, not to work so hard, eat less chocolate and pies (that’ll never happen) and feed the twinks!

 

 

XXL DJ’S TOP 3 TUNES


ANDY ALMIGHTY

  1. 7th Heaven ft. Katherine Ellis – ‘Love Is Alive’ (Extended Mix) [7H Label]
    First played in my set at Mardi Gras 2012, our latest 7th Heaven production – featuring diva Katherine Ellis – is now a huge XXL anthem!
  2. Little Mix – ‘Move’ (The Alias Club Mix) [Syco]
    A quality pop song, from a quality pop group, with a quality remix. Get all 3 right and you have a floor-filling, arm-waving, sing-along anthem like this.
  3. Britney Spears – ‘Work Bitch’ (7th Heaven Club Mix) [RCA]
    Possibly the biggest name my 7th Heaven team have ever remixed. It’s a stomper of a mix too. Everyone loves a bit of Britney!



FREEMASONS

  1. Chris Malinchak – ‘So Good To Me’ (MK Remix)
  2. Duke Dumont ft A.M.E – ‘Need You 100%’ (Skream Remix)
  3. London Grammar – ‘Nightcall’ (Freemasons Remix)

 

• XXL New Year’s Eve is on Tuesday 31st December from 8pm-9am, and XXL Fusion is on New Year’s Day, Wednesday 1st January, from 5pm-late, both at Pulse, 1 Invicta Plaza, Southwark Street, SE1 9UF. Tickets available from www.clubtickets.com

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