By james art Celebrating all things pop, from poppers to (fake) popularity contests to even Pop(e), Birmingham’s Club Fierce event definitely hit the spot last weekend. Taking place during the annual Fierce Festival proceedings, which highlight the city’s diverse and vibrant cultural landscape, the club night hosts a colorful and inclusive space for all.
“The atmosphere in the room was eclectic,” says photographer and Dazed Clubber Tyra-Elise Harris, who captured photos on the night. “It was filled with people connecting through their love of dance, art and bold fashion choices.” Indeed, the event’s dress code ran the gamut from ‘TikTok Thots’ and ‘Pop Tartlets’ to ‘Tabloid Terrors’ and ‘Y2K-etamine’, but no one was no bolder than the evening’s host, Fatt Butcher. Adapting choral music to the nightclub setting with live choirs, reworked anthems and a sprinkling of amyl nitrate for good measure, Fat Butcher transformed the canalside venue into what he describes as a “weird spiritual space”.
“I would definitely say that from the evening the guy who was handing out popularity cards made his mark,” continues Harris. “They deployed two other people, one handing out lollipops disguised as fake medicine and the other handing out CDs from inside his jacket, which everyone naturally gravitated towards. It felt like a safe place was provided for everyone to feel comfortable and free with euphoria.”
This freedom of expression also strikes at the heart of what Fierce Festival originally set out to achieve over 20 years ago. The event features art installations, live performances and talks at venues across the city as part of a week-long programme. “Fierce has a great reputation,” says the festival’s Harris. “It’s established itself as one of the most welcoming festivals in Birmingham because it’s 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 was very unique in contrast to other clubs in Birmingham which are quite egotistical and heteronormative, providing a strong sense of community, togetherness and identity exploration which are vital to creating a space that anyone can visit without expectation or judgement” , the photographer summarizes.
“Open” the gallery above to see Tyra-Elise Harris’ photos from the night.