Pxssy Palace: A Decade of Queer Joy, Grit and Growth

PHOTOGRAPHY Asafe Ghalib
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS Isabelle Dohmen & Nicola Sclano
STYLING Ally Lux
STYLING ASSISTANT Alana Davids
HMUA Natalie Vest-Jones
BRAIDER Moesha Maxwell
CREATIVE DIRECTION Tori West
PRODUCTION Chiara Maculan
SPECIAL THANKS Emily Gale and Lily Lark at 9t9t, Julia Howe at W Management, and all of our contributors.

HEADER IMAGE Nadine wears Full Look: DIESEL. Myah wears Full Look: MASHA POPOVA. Ryan wears Full Look: Y/PROJECT

In 2015, a group of friends gathered in DJ and cultural force Nadine Noor’s flat, surrounded by cats, laughter, and music. What began as an intimate house party quickly evolved into Pxssy Palace; a radical act of joy and resistance. For over a decade, Pxssy Palace has been serving their ever-growing community, evolving alongside them. In 2016, Musician and Community Builder Mya Mehmi was welcomed into the team, and in 2019, Creative Producer Ryan Lovell. Pxssy Palace has become a vital fixture in the London nightlife scene, placing queer, trans, Black and Indigenous people of colour at the heart of its mission.

Rooted in intentionality and care, Pxssy Palace is far more than a club night. It’s a multidisciplinary arts platform, a healing space, and a movement that redefines what nightlife can mean when the most marginalised are centred. Over the years, the collective has earned significant recognition – from being named DJ Mag’s Best Club Night in the UK, to collaborations with icons in the queer music scene like Honey Dijon and Mike Q. They’ve curated events for Glastonbury, Boiler Room, the TATE, and have worked with fashion institutions like Diesel and Vogue, but their greatest legacy is rooted in the way they’ve revolutionised club care, community building, and creative solidarity.

In May, I caught up with Nadine, Ryan, and Mya over Zoom, armed with questions from their beloved community. What unfolded was a conversation that touched on the beauty and burden of creating spaces of safety, the legacy of queer nightlife as resistance, and the emotional toll and joy that comes with grassroots organising. Together, the trio spoke openly about burnout, imposter syndrome, the importance of intention, and the humility it takes to constantly evolve.

Leila, pole artist & founder of Blackstage, says: You have created something so magical and I look up to you all so much. How do you feel about all you have achieved?

Nadine: Leila It’s so wild, because I look up to her, too. The work she does with Blackstage – you can see her evolution. She has to be a pole artist & pp support worker at Pxssy Palace for quite some time, and she always tells us how much she was inspired by it. But what she’s done with that inspiration is incredible. She’s such a Virgo, honestly – the attention to detail, the way she uplifts artists, how she communicates with her audience… I’m so inspired by that. So we look up to you, too.

To actually answer your question, though – it took me a long time to feel proud of the work. I dealt with imposter syndrome, never really feeling good enough. But now, I’m finally in a space where I can look back and say: wow, this has been beautiful and transcendent. I’m genuinely happy to be part of it.

Mya: It’s honestly an honour and a privilege. For me personally, this space saved my life. So now, being able to contribute to its legacy through my work? I feel really lucky.

Ryan: I’m really proud. What makes me feel most fulfilled is how we overcome challenges together, and the moments of exchange we have with people on the dance floor. That keeps me grounded, grateful, and full.

Amira, Pxssy Palace’s videographer, asks: When you first started Pxssy Palace, did you think it would end up being such a big part of London’s queer nightlife? Was this always the goal, or did it just grow into that over time?

Nadine: Oh my God, no. That was never the goal. It was literally a house party, a silly little gathering in my flat. I never thought we’d still be doing this 10 years later. And honestly, I’ve never held down a job this long, so that’s a big deal for me! I have to pinch myself when I think about how we’ve gone from a house party to working on the Mayor’s London Nightlife Taskforce. That growth? That was never planned, it just took off. We’ve been playing catch-up ever since.

Mya: You’re literally saving the world.

Nadine: Nah, just saving London. The world’s next.

Linett Kamala, a Board Director of Notting Hill Carnival, asks: On Sunday 28th August 2022 something very special happened – I (Linett Kamala) welcomed Pxssy Palace to make their Notting Hill Carnival debut at her sound system stage, following discussion meetings with DJ Carmen London. What was your favourite moment from that day?

Ryan: Thank you so much, Linett. That day was powerful. Getting on stage at Carnival brought up so many complex emotions for me. I’m Jamaican, and there’s always been tension between my queerness and my heritage. I was so anxious. But the crowd welcomed us with love. It felt liberating; soul-nourishing. Carnival has been the closest thing to home outside my house so that moment meant everything.

Nadine: Thank you, Linett. You’re such an icon. I saw the fear in Ryan’s face, in their crop top, as we approached the stage – and it made sense. That stage was intergenerational, full of families. But I also saw the moment he took ownership of that space. Kids were being lifted onto the stage to dance with us. It was beautiful.

Ryan: One of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but one of the most rewarding.

Getting on stage at Carnival brought up so many complex emotions for me. I’m Jamaican, and there’s always been tension between my queerness and my heritage. I was so anxious. But the crowd welcomed us with love. It felt liberating; soul-nourishing. Carnival has been the closest thing to home outside my house so that moment meant everything.

Ryan

Bumpah, Queer rave collective, ask: If you had to select 3 songs that represented Pxssy Palace’s collective energy – at the very start, at 5 years in, and now – what would they be and why?

Nadine: Oh wow, that’s such a good question.

Mya: Amazing question, and from an amazing group!

Nadine: For the early days, it has to be ‘Vagina’ by CupcakKe. That song was on heavy rotation in 2016, around the same time Pxssy Palace was starting. We played it for years and people used to say, “No one else plays that song, we come here because we know you will.”

Mya: And it’s so funny, because being a child of PP, I thought that song was totally normal. Then you try to play it at a different DJ set and the crowd is like, “Do you hear what you’re playing right now?” The reactions were priceless.

Nadine: Right? It was one of those anthems that really helped shape the vibe in those early days.

Mya: For five years in, it has to be DJ Manara’s edit of ‘Dola Re Dola x Igloo’. The energy it brings – even if you’ve heard it five times in one night, when it drops, it still feels like the first time. People go wild. It’s so powerful and joyful. That’s a huge one for me.

Ryan: So for now – like the last three years or so – I’d say ‘WICKED GYAL’ by Bambii and Lady Lykez. There’s just something about the intensity and confidence of that track. Every time I hear it, or see how people react to it in the club, it feels like the perfect reflection of where we’re at now – high energy, hot, sexy, intense. That post-pandemic PP energy for sure.

Arthi, DJ, asks: One thing I love about Pxssy Palace is how you protect joy in your community in spite of the painful treatment queer and trans people often face in this country – is this something you do you intentionally, and if so, how?

Ryan: Yeah, it’s absolutely intentional. From when I started four years ago, we created and kept updating our PP Support Training document. Every event has a thorough staff briefing. We’re in constant communication with security teams, and we always post our policy in advance. It’s our way of reinforcing our values – it’s about creating a space where joy is protected, where people feel held. But despite all that, we still can’t guarantee that things will run smoothly.

Mya: Yeah, there are no guarantees. It takes a lot of unseen labour and a lot of real battles. I’ve literally been smacked in the face behind PP! Sometimes protecting the joy of the space and the people in it means putting your body on the line. But when I’m home at the end of the night, even with an ice pack on my face, and I see the videos of people dancing and feeling free – it makes it worth it.

Nadine: That’s why we stopped using the word “safe” early on; you can’t guarantee safety but you can be clear about your intentions. In our policies, we spell out what you can expect from us and what we expect from you. It’s collaborative. It’s intentional. And like Arthi said in the question, it’s not just us doing this. We are part of a long legacy of queer club promoters who’ve always worked to protect the joy of their spaces. Nightlife has been our sanctuary. It’s never just been about partying – it’s always been about protection.

Mya: That’s where we draw strength; from knowing this legacy. Others have done it before us and thrived. That gives us the motivation to keep going.

It hasn’t always been easy to stay rooted. But this is the most grounded I’ve ever felt, and that’s because of the team I’m with. We move through this together – through trust, friendship, and constant reflection. We always ask ourselves why we’re doing something.

Nadine

Emma Korantema, DJ, asks: From going to my first Pxssy Palace in 2017 to DJing with you at Period (legendary theme!) and Glastonbury last year, it’s been such an honour and joy to grow with you. Thank you for welcoming, nurturing, platforming and providing for me and so many others like me with such care and intention. Your presence in this world is priceless! How do you stay rooted in that intention while navigating continued visibility, growth, and survival as a collective and community?

Nadine: Wow, thank you so much Emma. I appreciate you so deeply – not just for your spirit and your art, but for the little things you’ve said in passing that lifted me when I was stressed or unsure. I’m really grateful to have you in this community.

To answer your question, it hasn’t always been easy to stay rooted. But this is the most grounded I’ve ever felt, and that’s because of the team I’m with. We move through this together – through trust, friendship, and constant reflection. We always ask ourselves why we’re doing something. The industry can easily distract you with visibility or opportunities, but we reflect after every event. One of the reasons we took a break from throwing parties was to dig deeper into what’s working, what’s not, and what we want to build next.

Mya: Honestly, sometimes it’s just a gut feeling. If something doesn’t sit right – even if we don’t know why – we’ll pass. And sometimes we take on things we’re not obsessed with, just so we can sustain ourselves and make room for the work that really matters. But everything goes through collective communication.

Ryan: Exactly. Whenever something comes up – a gig, a collab, an opportunity – we’ll sit down in a café or jump on a call and talk it out. Why do we want this? What are the risks? And if even one of us really doesn’t feel right about it, we just don’t do it. We always need to be in alignment.

Mya: You can be neutral, but if one of us is like, “No, this really upsets my spirit,” then that’s enough. We’re not going to force it.

Queer House Party, DJ Collective, ask: We’ve taken so much inspiration from Pxssy Palace over the years – how you throw parties, build community, and stay rooted in your politics. And a huge THANK YOU for being on the other end of the phone, whether it’s for a lil gossip or a big problem we’re facing – it’s meant a lot and really shows that there’s space for all of us, especially when we work alongside each other and celebrate each other’s successes. How have you managed to keep going as a grassroots collective and avoid burnout, especially with the pressure to get things right for the community, and with big production companies backed by the straights with more resources trying to block or co-opt parties on the rise?

Mya: Honestly, I don’t think we’ve mastered avoiding burnout. We get burnt out all the time. But the way we work together gives space for that. There’s so much care built into the team – not just as collaborators – but as friends. That support is everything.

Ryan: It’s funny, people ask us this a lot, even at parties. The answer is always: communication. We’ve spent real time learning each other, figuring out how we work, and creating a culture where it’s okay to bring stuff up. If one of us is overwhelmed, we redistribute the workload. When I first joined the team, they told me, “There will be conflict. We’ll make space for that and talk through it.” That honesty really stuck with me.

Mya: And they always make space for me, even when I’m being a bitch!

Nadine: Look – clubs are loud, people are drunk, things go wrong. You’re under pressure and sometimes you snap. That’s why it was important for us early on to normalise defensiveness. Being defensive is human, but you can still work through it. And what’s so powerful is that we keep showing up for each other. We’re honest, accountable, and constantly communicating. It’s the best team I’ve ever worked with.

Mya: And we’re self-reflective, too. You can mess up, and five minutes later go, “You know what? I was wrong.” We’ve also let go of the pressure to always get it right. Mistakes happen. That’s part of the process.

Nadine: And when it comes to these big companies with more money – they might have resources, KPIs, marketing teams… but they don’t have our spirit. They don’t have our grit. They don’t have the pussy! The energy we create can’t be copied.

Zee, model & creative, asks: What’s something you’ve seen at Pxssy Palace that will always put a smile on your face?

Ryan: The guests kissing at the end of the night. It melts my heart every single time.

Mya: I love watching how people get celebrated when they walk the runway. Someone could just be standing there for 30 seconds and the whole crowd will go wild. It makes me so proud of the space and the people in it.

Nadine: My favourite thing has always been watching people transform over the night. Someone might come in shy, unsure, maybe it’s their first time. Then you see them start to relax, find their rhythm, smile more. Sometimes it takes a few parties for them to fully open up. But when you see that transformation in real time, it’s the best feeling.

Travis Albanza, author & activist, asks: I have always been so inspired by Pxssy Palace’s ability to adapt, move, and invigorate change among us. I remember dancing at the very first parties, and I love how both I, and you, have changed over the years. What is your relationship to change, and how do you embrace it as a collective? I luv u guys hardddd.

Nadine: Travis! Love you so much. You’re one of my favourite writers, and honestly, you were part of a really pivotal change for us. Years ago, I saw you speak at the TATE about how transfem people are often the face of the night – with the best outfits and energy – but no one thinks about how they get home. After that, we started the taxi fund for transfems. That conversation sparked a real shift. I’ve described PP as a plant – sometimes it needs more sun, sometimes water, sometimes it just needs to be left alone. But it has to evolve. Our policies, staff training, everything has changed and adapted because it has to.

Ryan: I think being exposed to so much – through social media, community, conversations – it becomes harder to stay static. You hear something on a bus, or from a friend, and it plants a seed. Change feels natural because we’re always absorbing.

Homobloc, queer party & festival, asks: As queer promoters, we often think our doors of inclusivity are open wider than they actually are. What does allyship done right look like from promoters and venues, and what steps can we take to better support QTPOC artists and create more authentic, welcoming spaces?

Nadine: That first part is important – recognising that even if you think you’re being inclusive, there’s probably more work to do. Especially if you’re not a QTBIPOC-led collective. Start there.

Mya: Allyship means hanging up what you think you know, and listening. Really listening to our lived experiences. We have to think about so much that others don’t even consider. And it’s not just about working with us once a year – allyship is year-round. It’s a commitment.

Ryan: It starts with basics. When people arrive at a venue, their first encounter is usually security. If that first interaction isn’t welcoming, it sets the tone for the whole night. So training staff – security, bar, everyone – to treat people with respect really matters.

Nadine: And honestly, we need national security reform. The work we do with our security teams to uphold our values should be standard. And allyship isn’t just about who gets booked. It’s about decision-making power. Are QTBIPOC people just dancers or DJs? Or are they also involved in shaping the event, designing the systems, leading from within? That’s where the real shift happens. And using your platforms – newsletters, social media – not just for promo, but for education.

Allyship means hanging up what you think you know, and listening. Really listening to our lived experiences. We have to think about so much that others don’t even consider. And it’s not just about working with us once a year – allyship is year-round. It’s a commitment.

Mya

Homobloc also asks: If Pxssy Palace had its own fashion line, what would the first collection be called – and what’s the statement piece?

Nadine: I’ve always wanted to take our party photography and print it onto mesh pieces. A tiny mesh top, a little skirt, maybe a maxi dress. Something that hugs every curve – there’s no hiding in mesh.

Mya: If I can’t see my nipple through it, I don’t want it!

Nadine: And the process would be beautiful. We already ask for consent from our guests when taking photos, and people can withdraw it too. So turning those images into clothing would be a collaboration between the subject, the photographer, and us. That feels very Pxssy Palace.

Mya: We’d call it something like Connect Fabric; it’s the fabric we wear, but also the fabric of us.

Nadine: But the amount of money it would take to do that?! We’ve already got other merch we need to sell so please go online and buy a t-shirt! 

Darkwah, artist, asks: What advice would you give to people looking to create spaces for their communities? 

Ryan: Know your imprint. What are you trying to say with this space? What excites you about it? That kind of clarity will keep you going when things get tough.

Nadine: I always say: make something because you need it. I started Pxssy Palace because I needed to be around more QTBIPOC people. The first party was in my flat because it felt safe. Then we figured out how to replicate that outside. Also, don’t do it alone. Ask for help, collaborate, and most importantly, have boundaries – with your project and with your team. I made the mistake of letting Pxssy Palace become an extension of my identity early on, and it was hard not to internalise when things went wrong.

Mya: Be ready to receive critique. Creating space isn’t just about you – it’s about something bigger. You have to leave your ego at the door.

Anita Chhiba, founder of Diet Paratha, asks: Where are the thinkers?

Nadine: I think we’re all thinkers! But seriously, society doesn’t uplift deep thinking the way it used to. Virality has taken over. There’s so much noise, so much content, it’s hard to focus. I think about it all the time – how it affects our ability to think critically and dream expansively.

Ms Phyll Opoku, founder & CEO of UK Black Pride, asks: Pxssy Palace has always been more than a party – it’s been a portal, a protest, a sanctuary, and a sonic love letter to QTBIPOC joy and resistance. In a world that keeps trying to shrink us, how have you stayed expansive? And where do you see the next generation taking the radical blueprint you’ve built?

Mya: Staying expansive means always listening. Learning from the people around us. Being inspired constantly – and our community gives us so much to be inspired by! Lady Phyll is such a force; she’s the blueprint in so many ways.

Nadine: She really is our auntie. I think the next generation will be even more radical than we were. Partly because they had spaces like Pxssy Palace growing up; I didn’t have that when I was younger. But also because the world has regressed so much. Ten years ago felt hopeful. Now it feels urgent as we slip further into fascism. I see more events integrating rest, grief, food-growing, self-defence, mutual aid, and direct action. These aren’t new ideas in queer history, but they’re becoming more mainstream. It gives me hope.

I think the next generation will be even more radical than we were. Partly because they had spaces like Pxssy Palace growing up; I didn’t have that when I was younger. But also because the world has regressed so much. Ten years ago felt hopeful. Now it feels urgent as we slip further into fascism.

Nadine

Donnie Sunshine, DJ, asks: Pxssy Palace has platformed some of the best Queer & Femme talent from the UK (myself included). Would you be open to potentially running a full on agency representing Queer, Fem & Trans talent? And what other countries and cities do you see yourself taking over, if any?

Nadine: In the Pxssy Palace multiverse, sure – there’s a version where that happens. But right now? No thanks! Maybe you can run it, Donnie.

Mya: Donnie, don’t give us more work!

Ryan: As for countries, we did a little European tour and went to Aotearoa (New Zealand). It was amazing, but when we got back and debriefed,we realised it didn’t feel generative.

Nadine: Yeah. It doesn’t feel right to “take over” a city. But collaborating with other people doing similar work? That feels good. Learning from each other, building together. That’s the version we’re open to.

Kikelomo, Oroko Radio co-founder, asks: What’s your vision for Pxssy Palace over the next 10 years? 

Nadine: We’re trying to figure that out right now. We got organisational development funding from Arts Council, which is amazing. I didn’t even know that kind of support existed until recently. It took a few tries, but we got it, and now we’re using it to reflect and reimagine. What do we want to do next? What does our community need right now? We’re sitting with those questions.

Ryan: Maybe we’ll put out an album, maybe tour in Brazil. Who knows?

Mya: Sign up to our newsletter, babes. That’s how you’ll find out first.

***

What’s striking about Pxssy Palace is their refusal to compromise. Whether navigating funding applications, security reform, or global recognition, they continue to lead with care, accountability, and radical softness. They’ve created a blueprint that merges activism with celebration, where runway walks and DJ sets are just as important as mutual aid, grief spaces, and rest.

In a world that so often tries to shrink us, Pxssy Palace expands. And in doing so, they invite the rest of us to do the same.

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