In the 90s Love Muscle xx was the legendary multi-award winning LGBTQ+ club night. The weekly night provided the soundtrack to a generation of clubbers and became a queer sanctuary. The night returns on Friday, 29th March 2024 (Good Friday) at the stunning Lafayette club in King’s Cross. Yvette was the clubs iconic host and she will also be hosting Love Muscle xx at The Lafayette. QX had the good fortune to spend a moment with this legend of the 90s club scene.
Hello Yvette. Thank you for chatting with QX. It’s so lovely to connect with you again. Tell our readers something about your early years. What inspired you to first work on the scene, and how did your involvement with the original Love Muscle xx come about?
I worked at the Blitz during the Steve Strange and Rusty Egan New Romantic Nights. I formed a group with a fellow Blitz worker called Roy. I dressed one party night as a French Maid, and Roy named me Yvette. We appeared all over Camden Palace, Kinky Gerlinky and Gay Clubs through GB, and that’s how I met Susan and Andrew from the Fridge. We played the original Fridge in Brixton opposite the Police Station. The rest followed on: Ciao Baby and Love Muscle xx.
What do you put the massive success of the Love Muscle xx club night down to?
I think Love Muscle’s success was that when you arrived, it was very social—meeting old friends! As the evening wore on, there was a Sexy Show, and dancing continued until 6 am. Marc Andrews played some fantastic music—he was the BEST.
Can you share some amusing anecdotes or gossip from behind the scenes during those years?
I always told people I was selling Sex, LOL. When I was on The Drag Queen Weakest Link with Ann Robinson, she asked me what would happen if she came to the club. I said I would find her a man!
The worst night was when we discovered the company that flies people in Pantomimes was on Brixton Hill just by the Fridge, so they came in for a Valentine’s Day Muscle. I did the run-through, but all that holds you up is a leather jock strap thingy, so when I finished the flight, my legs collapsed ( I hate heights). They sent for a bottle of Vodka, and I flew like a pro.
When we booked RuPaul for a PA at Ciao Baby, he came alone, and I left him in the dressing room to get ready. When I returned, he took my breath away. He was so beautiful. Also, in heels, he must be 7ft 6. Next to Ru, I looked like a tiny tot.
It’s been some time since Love Muscle xx was at The Fridge. How have you been keeping yourself busy?
I have a great group of friends, and we all see each other a lot.
What are the notable differences between LGBTQ+ nightlife when you first started on the scene and now?
Nightlife seems more diverse now, although there are fewer big-capacity clubs.
It’s very much the original team. What made you all decide, “Hey, let’s do Love Muscle Again”?
When it was suggested to me to bring back Love Muscle, I counted to 10 and said yes—especially as a tribute to Marc and his Music/Remixes, a genius, plus the not-to-be-forgotten DJ Gareth.
The Lafayette Club is unique. Tell us something about it and what we can expect on the night.
The Lafayette Club is Fabulous. It has a main auditorium with a stage, two other bar areas and a VIP Lounge. Being at the back of Kings Cross Station, it’s easy to get to. We are going on a trip to relive those sensational nights back in the Fridge, and I can honestly say it will be one hell of a night with 12 twelve of the sexiest Gogo’s, and we will be going on through till 6 am.
Tickets to Love Muscle xx are selling fast https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/London/Lafayette-London/Love-Muscle-xx/37127655/?sktag=15073
Love Muscle xx is on 29 March, 10 pm – 6 am, at Lafayette, 11 Goods Way, King’s Cross, London N1C 4DP, United Kingdom.
