Dykes are taking over the capital for a one-day festival full of dyke nightlife and culture
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY KALEIDO SHOOTS
For over a decade, the iconic dance party Gal Pals has given lesbians, sapphics and trans+ partiers a place to find community. Run by Scarlett Shaney (she/her) and Xandice Armah (he/they), Gal Pals has gone from strength to strength. A milestone moment occurred last year when they launched a one-day dyke festival, Lezzer Fest, which brought 1600 lesbians, dykes and queer women together.
It was a huge success, so it’s no surprise it’s coming back for its second instalment on 25 April. Volume II will offer up 10 of the best dyke nights and collectives from London and beyond, performing across three stages of music.
Here are some of the performers you can expect to see at this year’s Lezzerfest.
Blackstage
This Black, queer, sex worker-led nonprofit are bringing a 90-minute pole dancing set to the fest. Blackstage Pole’s founder, Leila Davis (she/her), aka Cutie Whippingham, shares her enthusiasm. “I love Gal Pals. It’s so exciting to work with them [and shed] light on the FLINTA babes who are often excluded in LGBTQIA+ nightlife.”
Dykes On Decks
Alex Berry (she/her) and Lebby (she/her) are the dyke-namic DJ duo also known as Dykes On Decks. Their bi-monthly parties are sexy, sweaty, iconic and fuelled by euphoric chaos. They’ve collaborated with Gal Pals on a number of events, such as the much-loved U-Haul My Heart night. These dykes promise to deliver “generous doses of tunes that spur queer nostalgia and joy”.
BUMPAH
Don’t miss one of LDN’s leading queer nightlife collectives. This QTIPOC-centred rave platform provides a party with a purpose. Born out of resistance and community, these ravers have created a space where people can feel seen and come together to the sounds of the underground.
Soft Butch
Looking for dance floor fillers and butch appreciation? This club night has been supplying both since it launched in Bristol in 2022. Lexx (they/them), the creator, producer and DJ of Soft Butch, is aware that these are trying times. “The horrors persist, but so do we.” They urge us to bring our rage, euphoria and everything in between this April. “Joy as resisdance has never been so important.”
Sistermatic Sound
In 1982, this legendary Black lesbian-led sound system and club night blasted onto the scene. One of the founders, Eddie (she/her) aka DJ Shineye, tells me about Sistermatic’s origin. “We wanted to change the narrative as most clubs didn’t play the music we knew was out there.” It has become an intergenerational space for Black lesbians to thrive. Missed the chance to see them during last year’s festivities? Don’t make the same mistake twice.
STRAPPED
“East London’s sluttiest dyke party” is returning for Lezzer Fest volume II. Last time, STRAPPED founder Becca Homer (she/her) “literally saw every dyke” she’d ever met, including “most” of her exes. “It was a completely feral vibe but in the absolute best way possible!” Becca’s vision for STRAPPED for the rest of the year is: “[To be] better and slaggier than ever.”
Pillow Princess
Brought to you by Stripped Sets, this party provides a haven for LGBTQIA+ folks in Norwich. DJ L U (she/her) is bringing Pillow Princess energy to the festival. She encourages attendees to “come dance, express yourself, make friends and flirt. Experiment with your look, or just exist in a room where you don’t have to explain yourself. You deserve spaces centred on love, expression and freedom.”
Wildblood and Queenie
Brighton-based DJ duo Wildblood (they/them) and Queenie (she/her) put queers at the heart of everything they do. They’ll be delivering “the perfect soundtrack to sashay onto the dance floor with” to this year’s Lezzer Fest. Wildblood shares a special message to all the dykes out there: “We stand on the shoulders of some incredible dykes gone past. Together, inspired by them, we can make lesbians’ lives even better.”
Gal Pals: Lezzer Fest is taking place at Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden on 25 April 2026. For more info and tickets, visit DICE.
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
