Celebrating all things pop, from poppers to (fake) popularity contests to even the Pop(e), Birmingham’s Club Fierce event definitely popped off last weekend. Taking place during the yearly Fierce Festival proceedings, which spotlight the city’s diverse and vibrant cultural landscape, the club night curated a colourful and inclusive space for all.
“The vibe in the room was eclectic,” says photographer and Dazed Clubber Tyra-Elise Harriswho captured images on the night. “It was filled with people connecting through their love of dance, art and audacious fashion choices.” Indeed, the event’s dress code spanned “TikTok Thots” and “Pop Tartlets” to “Tabloid Terrors” and “Y2K-etamine”, but none were more audacious than the night’s host, Fatt Butcher. Adapting choral music to the nightclub setting with live choirs, reworked hymns and a sprinkling of amyl nitrate for good measure, Fatt Butcher transformed the canalside venue into what he describes as a “queer spiritual space.”
“From the night I would definitely say the person handing out popularity cards made their mark,” continues Harris. “They deployed two other individuals, one giving out lollipops disguised as fake drugs and one handing out CDs from the inside of their jacket which everyone naturally gravitated towards. It felt like a safe space was provided for everyone to get comfortable and free with euphoria.”
This freedom of expression also strikes at the heart of what Fierce Festival initially set out to achieve over 20 years ago. The event includes art installations, live performances, and talks at venues across the city as part of its week-long programming. “Fierce has got an amazing rep,” says Harris of the festival. “It’s established itself as one of Birmingham’s most welcoming festivals for being super inclusive, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.”
According to Harris, this fierce inclusivity is particularly important against the backdrop of Birmingham’s wider nightlife scene. “The night felt very unique as opposed to other clubs in Birmingham that are quite egotistical and heteronormative, providing a strong sense of community, unity and identity exploring which are vital in creating a space that anyone can attend without expectation or judgement,” the photographer sums up.
‘Pop’ into the gallery above to see Tyra-Elise Harris’ photos from the night.
