Dandy is an alternative queer party brand that appeals to clubbers across the country. QX spoke to lead promoter Deany to find out what the noise is all about and what exciting plans they have for world domination.
When did you first realise you loved music, and who were your first favourite artists?
I grew up listening to artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, the Eurythmics, Queen, and other 70s/80s stuff my parents liked. When I got to high school, though, I did a 180 and fell into a more hard rock and metal scene. I was a nu metal kid – Slipknot, Papa Roach, Korn, all the good stuff! Around my early- to mid-20s, I came to accept that I love a lot of different genres of music, and that is perfectly OK; I can be into goth aesthetics and still bop to Missy Elliott or Kylie, there’s nothing wrong with that.
When did you first start promoting club nights?
Around 2015, my friend Rod (who runs Bollox in Manchester and is now an integral part of Homobloc) asked me if I fancied organising a new night that offered a bit of an alternative over the Bear Bash weekend. After a terrific launch night, we knew we had something exciting to offer. I also ran a goth-tinged indie night for a couple of years with Ady called Anointed, which ran from 2017 to 2019. Anointed took us not just across the north but also to the Amphi Festival in Cologne.
What is the inspiration behind Dandy?
We started Dandy primarily to take aim at the UK’s “bear scene”, which, we felt, has long been underserved by too many gay men’s spaces offering similar (restrictive) experiences. Over time, we’ve naturally become a space for all sections of the community to come together, dance, eat pizza, and enjoy themselves to music they love – and music they may not know they love yet.
How would you describe the crowd to someone who hasn’t been to Dandy before?
Eclectic. Diverse. Gorgeous. We have young students come to party; we have gentlemen in their 60s. I think the music we play and the atmosphere we strive to create speaks to several generations of queers. Plus, they’re getting free pizza, and who doesn’t love that?
What is the music formula at Dandy?
Alt. dance, indie bangers, disco faves, hyperpop, nu rave throwbacks, gay icons, queer noise, and anything else we feel like. From Lady Gaga to Ladytron, SOPHIE to Skrillex, Rina Sawayama to Rammstein, Charli xcx to Chvrches, Peaches to Pendulum…
Tell us about who will be playing or performing on the night.
On 29 March, we’ve got residents Deany Sevigny, ADBT, and Sugar Puff Daddy, as well as our extra special guest DJ Birkham (previously known as Former Hero). He’s a terrific DJ, musician, and producer based in North Yorkshire. We’ve had the pleasure of working with him before, and we’re always excited to book him. Do check out his music on Bandcamp and streaming services; it’s gorgeous, uplifting stuff.
What else do you have in store for Dandy?
Well, the next few months are rammed. We return to Yellow Arch in Sheffield on 26 April, we’ve got our birthday party Belly Rub on 4 May at The Brewers in Manchester, our Brighton debut at Concorde 2 on 10 May, back to The RVT again on 31 May, a June pride event in Sheffield coming up, and we’re hard at work already on our alt. Manchester Pride event (that is going to be incredible!), so it’s all steam ahead. Beyond that: Dandy USA? Dandyfest? Dandypalooza?? We can only try!
Dandy is at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Saturday 29 March 2025, 10 pm – 4am, 372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY, United Kingdom.
All images supplied.
