22/06/13: As the longest day of the year passed by and the nights officially began drawing in, the XXL crew seemed determined to make us feel like we were on summer holidays still despite the continuing grey skies.
Inside Pulse we might as well have been enjoying a heatwave as the weekend crowd rocked their summer best, despite the sun having set hours ago. Miracously bronzed boys seemed determined to show off their beach bodies without an ocean in sight, instead swimming in a sea of guys up for a good time.
XXL was right on trend with the night’s retro theme as 90s house continues to influence the charts. Resident DJ star Christian M commanded the main floor with one of the best funky house mixes we’ve heard this month. Next door in the Fluff bar, Joe Egg brought out the inner twink in even the straightest-acting of hairy marys, with pop hits from now and yesteryear.
As we took a breather on one of the garden terraces, the early morning rays catching the Shard, we were brought back to 2013 just enough to appreciate how far we’ve come on the cusp of another Pride, before diving back into some vintage house.
Pulse, No 1 Invicta Plaza, South Bank, SE1 9UF
Words by Colin Gentry
Photos by Chris Jepson
