With the sheer number of events and programming in London, it’s difficult to justify attending the same nightlife events and festivals back to back. But Body Movements breaks this unsaid rule. Every summer it is one of the not-to-miss events of the festival season for a reason. And if you don’t snag a ticket, you might as well write the whole day off to an onslaught of intense FOMO. That which can only be cured by insistent scrolling of Instagram stories, pretending you were lucky enough to be one of the attendees filming real time.
Truly, the vibes are something else. And when we realized that Uhaul Dyke Rescue would also be part of the lineup this year, it added yet another layer to the excitement encased within the chain link fences. Upon entering the festival grounds, the energy was palpable. Which was surprising as we arrived immediately at the start, alongside a fearful weather forecast threatening to rain on our gay parade (homophobic!). But that reality very thankfully didn’t come true. Instead, guests were greeted with a cooling breeze and cloud dappled sunshine. The rain would indeed come later, but not until the very end
Whether it was high energy sets from the likes of Six Sex, DeBasement, HEZEN, Octo Octa, Romy, Tedesco, FAFF, or Marie Malarie there was no lack of choice on this year’s lineup. The Mooch (vending area) was jam-packed with queer talent and varied offerings as usual. Meanwhile, The Strap became much of the festival’s home for a good portion of the afternoon, with audience members spilling out into the dusty earth below the platforms. Dancing was rampant, as if compelled beyond the guests’ immediate choice. The music compelled us, and we moved with the rhythm like our lives depended on it. Overlapping interpersonals were of course (expectedly) nonstop. A nice reminder of the way the nightlife and queer spaces connect us, for good… Or better.
Performances were varied, with Go-go dancers scattered across stages by Little Gay Brother. HEZEN performed an inimitable set, featuring artist and photographer Alex Ekholm, as they became a human microphone. Meanwhile, other performers became human mixers. They were positioned on their hands and knees as HEZEN DJ’d live atop their backs to an adoring and very locked-in audience. The evening wrapped up under rhythmic rainfall which spattered across the sweat-drenched audience, an anointing from above. Guests became one in the otherwise turmoil of that moment, dancing beyond the weather’s confines, embracing each other for one final hour.
Body Movements has yet again solidified its place as one of London’s best festivals and proved why it is important to snag those early bird tickets. That said, if you happened to miss the summer festival, not to fret, as the winter edition is back on November 14th… And tickets are already live.
Follow Body Movements On Instagram
Words: Lauren Bulla
Photographer: Imogens.jpgs