As INFERNO approaches its ninth anniversary, we delve into the archives of five photographers who’ve documented Lewis G Burton’s beloved queer techno club night
As a haven for queer self-expression, INFERNO has likewise become a haven for photographers. Revellers’ running riot, palpable chaotic energy, bold make-up and cutting-edge fashion all serve as the perfect ingredients for a good image, leading to some of the most iconic shots of contemporary queer clubbing culture.
For nine years, INFERNO has more or less defined the concept of the “queer techno rave” in London. Its rotating cast of local and international hard dance techno DJs, boundary-pushing resident performance artists, and gory, gothic, glamorous club-goers have all helped create a culture that has blossomed into countless other club nights.
INFERNO is mostly famed for the more outrageous looks of its patrons – after all, it’s primarily “a space for people to express themselves authentically and creatively”. Founder Lewis G Burton admits this “might look intimidating” but assures us that INFERNO has “been called the nicest party in London”, a fact that seems inseparable from these extreme fashion and beauty looks: without kindness at the heart of a space, that freedom of expression can’t fully be felt.
The club night was born nine years ago at East London’s Dalston Superstore (Burton recalls “chaotic and beautiful” nights of “thumping techno and radical queer performance art”). During that time, many photographers have shot INFERNO, with each one becoming an integral and indispensable part of its ever-shifting organism.
Ahead of INFERNO’s ninth-anniversary celebration at Colour Factory on Friday March 8, we take a look into the archives of El Hogg, Roxy Lee, Yasmine Akim, William Kennedy and Jesse Glazzard, who have all shot the iconic queer party.
“The people who come to INFERNO don’t come to play, they’re not messing around... the looks, the slayage, it’s sickening, I can’t even. The archive speaks for itself. INFERNO’s where everyone wants to get dressed up for: she’s the moment, past present and future. Of course it’s different to shooting other parties.
“For many of us, it‘s where it all started, where we found ourselves and found a sense of belonging. INFERNO is where we met, but also where we reunite. Like, ‘I’ve not seen my girl in three years ’cause she bought a one-way ticket to Berlin – oh wait she’s back now!’ It’s amazing to see people grow and evolve over the years. I see that when looking back through photos and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.
“INFERNO has allowed me to trust myself: be experimental, spontaneous, kill perfectionism, and generally challenge my image-making. I’ve been encouraged, guided and appreciated. I’ve gained confidence, I’m forever grateful.”
“My experience of INFERNO has always kind of been warm and fuzzy. It’s awesome, in the sense that I really am in awe of some of these looks and people. To be honest with you, what is really striking for me about INFERNO is its huge sense of community, which I feel no matter where the actual parties happen. If it does move, there is always an overwhelming sense of community no matter the space. I really enjoy it. There’s lots of kindness and warmth. It really is its own crowd within the queer community, which I think is really special and not something that you see everywhere by any means.
“It’s given me a platform to photograph more of what I really love to photograph, which is people expressing themselves through how they look and just being free. One of my favourite looks was when of one of the resident DJs – Wax Wings – came in with prosthetics on their face and a bright yellow buzz cut. That was amazing. I obviously love when Fecal Matter play, their looks are always amazing. I love Chadd Curry’s looks, I love Parma Ham’s looks. I just have a huge sentimental attachment and need for goth in my life in all capacities, because I was a teenage goth. So I love being around goths and people who carry on the legacy of goth in its many different forms, iterations and subcultures.”
“INFERNO didn’t ever restrict my work, Lewis just let me show up and get on with it. I think photography at its core should be that. Too many rules on how to photograph the moment is how other parties asked me to shoot, Lewis was never like that. So it was always just about enjoying the party.”
“There is something very soulful about how people let their hair down at INFERNO, it’s very surreal – like an acid trip, even if you’re totally sober. There is so much to take in at once and it’s not too serious, people are happy and not trying to put a front on constantly. There’s an air of excitement, like a playground for club kids and sexy people.
“For me, shooting INFERNO is very emotionally charged – it’s all about the euphorically cathartic release and embracing your inner shadow, letting it out and having a good dance and stomp in the process of it all. I am very inspired by the work of Derek Ridgers, who has been a bit of a mentor. I love how he captures party people in their element and I felt that I wanted to make the effort to document how vivid and beautiful queer rave culture was and still is. Rave culture is a part of my upbringing from my parents being involved in the acid rave movement, so I wanted to capture raves that were important to me and my experience as an individual, going out alone felt daunting so taking photos gave me a strong purpose helping to find my feet in the world.
“We have to make our own archives and document our wild and weird adventures whilst we still can. Solidarity helps us when times are hard, celebrating one another is key and the results are so powerful because creativity and collaboration are everlasting. These exchanges can inspire future generations.”
“Years ago, I stumbled across some amazing photos and videos online which were taken at INFERNO. It was everything I’d been searching for in London. I started going to all the parties with my camera, mostly as an excuse to meet people, and instantly fell in love with the people, the music and the phenomenal, anarchic looks. I’m usually quite shy, except when I have my camera. I was so inspired and in awe, I wanted to make friends and take gorgeous pictures of their gobsmacking looks. I keep coming back because every INFERNO is a reinvention, it’s an opportunity to meet amazing new people and feel inspired by my friends.
“The INFERNO community is my greatest source of inspiration. Over the years we’ve made music videos, documentaries, installation art pieces, live visuals. The most honest, darkly beautiful and joyful creative projects I’ve worked on over the years have all arisen through the friendships I’ve made at INFERNO.”
INFERNO’s ninth-anniversary celebration is taking place at Colour Factory on Friday 8 March and tickets are available here.