It’s 11pm on a Friday and you’re 20, standing in front of your bedroom mirror contemplating life’s decisions. Like why you agreed, yet again, to go clubbing with your friends when extroverted party culture has never really been your thing – you just hate feeling FOMO. Your self-consciousness almost makes you feign a last-minute “flu bug”. Introversion does sometimes feel like an illness when you’re supposed to be a cool, outgoing twenty-something.
But event organiser Culture SG, new-ish kids on the block, believes you shouldn’t have to forgo the uninhibited feeling of dancing to music you love with others who share similar tastes, just because you may feel out of place in a normal club. Its co-founders want to make clubbing “inclusive”.
Ashraf Karim, Ahmad Faizal and Vira Suria began their career as DJs back when Zouk was synonymous with clubbing, and the popular spot was still at Jiak Kim Street.
“Every other club was selling the same experience,” said 35-year-old Faizal, better known as Fai or his stage name SoundsOfFai. “Basically, you pay a cover charge, you don’t get to know what the DJ will play – I mean, you’d just have a rough idea if you listen to Spotify Top 50 – and there’ll be typical bottle service.”
People went clubbing to “get wrecked, listen to music, and (leave)”, recalled Ashraf, 28, or Ash as he's better known.
CATERING TO “NEW WAVE” OF CLUBBERS
Then COVID changed how the “new wave of clubbers” consumed content. Over the pandemic, 16-year-olds turned 18, and 18-year-olds turned 20 – and they discovered clubbing music and culture through TikTok videos, Fai noticed.
When normalcy resumed, the trio, who’d organised one themed party pre-COVID, saw a gap in the market for more such themed parties to cater to the “lost generation” – the kids who perhaps expected to come of age partying, but instead were first exposed to the raucous scene alone in the intimacy of their bedroom via a phone screen.
Themed parties would hopefully replicate that sense of comfort for the individual – but within a public venue and with likeminded strangers.
And so, on Aug 8, 2022, they brought back TikTok Night, a theme that had begun in 2018, asking attendees to show up in red and white "if (they were) patriotic". The series aimed to be "the go-to party for anyone who’s looking for a healthy vibe and fun party", its Peatix event listing stated.
“If I was 18, coming out of COVID, never been clubbing before, you’d feel a little bit intimidated to go to (bigger) clubs because you don’t really have that kind of spending power,” said Ash, whose stage name is Marshmallowman, explaining the preferential treatment usually offered to those with more money to burn.
“(We wanted to cater to) people who want to go out but don’t want to spend so much, but also want to be at a space where they’re equal, not treated any differently,” added Fai.
“In a nutshell, Culture is known to be disruptive in the nightlife industry. We don’t make parties just to create parties. We have a community, and when the community wants something, we will deliver.”
EMO, RETRO, MANDOPOP THEMED PARTIES
Under Culture, the trio eventually developed various recurring themed series, such as WhoHurtYou nights for emo and pop-punk lovers, Retro Metro which plays hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s, and a few Taylor Swift inspired events that also feature acoustic sets of her newer singles as well as hits from her “best friends” like Ed Sheeran and Sabrina Carpenter.
They also have Back 2 Two Thousands parties, which honestly sounds like a dream for those missing Y2K bops – the best decade for music in my millennial opinion.
Culture's Shrek-themed party on Jun 22, 2024, which featured Disney and cartoon hits, and 2000s pop. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
"Blind mice" at Culture's Shrek-themed party on Jun 22, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
Then there was a Shrek-themed party held in June, where partygoers were encouraged to dress up as characters from Far, Far Away – the enchanted kingdom in the Shrek movies.
And for the Mandopop community, the KTV mic-hoggers, there’s a series called Mando Hearts, where partygoers sing along to “slow Mandopop” for an entire night. The party doesn't play manyao, quipped Fai, referring to the trendy genre of Chinese/Cantonese EDM remixes. (Also known as the songs you might hear when a young punkzips by on an e-scooter.)
“It’s really like what you hear on Spotify. Obviously the DJ will do live mixing, like we’ll mix in tong hua and an jing but no EDM songs. It’s really just a singalong (session),” he added.
Without a fixed location, Culture then finds a venue based on the party's theme and its expected patrons, whether the venue owner shares the same "vision" as them, and the venue's alcohol prices in comparison to how much they believe their attendees can afford to pay. An average general admission ticket tends to cost S$30, but ticket prices for certain events have gone as low as S$10 depending on the target demographic.
"We need to create a space where everyone can be intimate enough that they will start putting their arms around each other, wave side to side, and sing," said Fai.
Culture's Taylor Swift themed party, T Party, on Nov 10, 2023. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
To be fair, going against conventional clubbing culture with themed parties isn't revolutionary. Nightlife veterans might know Eatmepoptart, which was created around 2005 when its founder Adrian Wee had similar observations about the clubbing scene.
“The parties were full of vibes, but the all-night jumping and the excessive booze had to mean something more right?” he wrote on Eatmepoptart’s website in 2023. “I craved a night with music that connected with our souls and tapped into our deep memories – something that could spiritually unite a whole room and conjure up waves of emotions.”
The music that would achieve this outcome, he and his friends figured, included 90s Britpop, alternative rock, indie – whatever would invoke the emotions that came with being a “wide-eyed teenager trying our best to grow up and belong”.
In fact, Culture also acknowledged that a handful of smaller players, who throw themed parties as well, have sprung up since they began.
Attendees dressed in theme at Culture's Retro Metro party on Mar 22, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
A partygoer dressed as Bruno Mars at Culture's Back 2 Two Thousands 24K Magic Post Party on Apr 12, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
But no matter how unique the theme, I've found an event is really just the framework for individual experience.
What makes an event memorable, or keeps any reluctant clubber, introverted party animal or awkward wallflower there, is the organiser’s DNA – a unique and non-replicable essence found in any attendee’s shared experience.
They might not be able to describe why they love an event, but they always know when they do; when a place they would typically feel outcast makes them feel welcomed.
Nelly De Castro (in pink), with her sister and 59-year-old mother at Culture's Retro Metro party on Mar 22, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
"MY MUM FELT VERY INCLUDED"
Take Lyan De Castro. The 59-year-old grandmother might not be the quintessential raver, but when she attended her first Retro Metro party last May, she didn’t feel out of place. In fact, she was probably the attendee most in her element.
Her daughter, Nelly De Castro, had decided to surprise her for Mother’s Day, figuring she would enjoy “retro music from the 70s”.
“I tried to make sure she blended in with the crowd and had fun dancing with other people, like she felt very included. And I remember everyone loved her presence,” said Nelly, who’d never thought of clubbing with her mum before that night.
But the 29-year-old mother of two knew her mum had always been outgoing and liked dancing, so she thought she’d introduce her to something new.
Nelly De Castro (sitting), with her sister and mum at Culture's Retro Metro party on Mar 22, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
Going for Culture's events at the start was a novel experience for Nelly too, as she didn’t indulge in Singapore’s nightlife or attend any other clubbing events.
“I thought it was a good bonding activity, like you strut your stuff, do your thing, make fun of each other. It’s brought us significantly much, much closer than we were before,” she added.
After that night’s party, Mrs De Castro became a regular at subsequent Retro Metro events, relishing every opportunity to relive her youth. She’d loved events when she was young, but had little chance to go out with her family.
“After the first time I went there, when I went on my second time, the young kids said, ‘AH MA!’” she laughed. “I just enjoy the music and go with the flow.”
One of Culture's co-founders Vira Suria, who goes by the same stage name, at the Paramore & Friends party on Sep 30, 2023. (Photo: Azfian Anuar)
One of Culture's co-founders Ash, whose stage name is Marshmallowman, at the Back 2 Two Thousands party on Aug 30, 2023. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
One of Culture's co-founders Fai, whose stage name is SoundsOfFai, at the Back 2 Two Thousands party on Sep 29, 2023, which they partnered with H&M. (Photo: Azfian Anuar)
Still, I was sceptical that clubbing could feel like a safe space – an experience completely opposite from what I was used to. At least based on my hazy memories from a lifetime ago, party culture meant alcohol-addled “fun”, and perfecting dance moves or dressing up to impress potential paramours.
As much as I was enticed by Culture's premise and their 18,000 member-strong Telegram channel (@CultureSG), I really wasn't keen to revisit the insecure nights of my early 20s and the subsequent regret the following morning when I checked my bank balance.
But describing a vibe is something you can’t quite fake nor make up based on someone else’s recount. So I attended my first Culture event at the end of June – a WhoHurtYou party at Hard Rock Cafe. The night I was there, they played Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, Paramore and Avril Lavigne among others. My millennial heart all but combusted from nostalgia.
And amid sweaty strangers, partying for the first time in close to a decade, I was comfortable, a foreign feeling that had no place in my clubbing memory, and I had so much fun. No quote marks necessary.
Culture's WhoHurtYou anniversary, titled Homecoming Part II, on Jun 28, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca and Azfian Anuar)
“MUSIC I CAN VIBE WITH”
As it turned out, other Culture regulars, albeit non-millennials, once mirrored my first experience of a seemingly growing subculture. Shahrin Syara first learnt about Culture's themed parties about a year ago via an Instagram ad, though she doubted their quality or legitimacy as they were event organisers and didn’t have a fixed clubbing location.
The 26-year-old did a 180 after accompanying a friend to a WhoHurtYou party.
“I thought it was so fun. I really enjoyed myself. Finally, music that I can actually vibe with. And they seemed to be doing this quite regularly, so I thought if I ever want to listen to this kind of music at a club again, I’ll just come back,” she gushed.
Shahrin’s past clubbing experience, including at siam dius (Thai disco nightclubs), had often been “a hit or miss”, because she enjoyed different genres of music.
“We try our best to stay away from music that’s being played in clubs. We don’t really do EDM. The quirkier and weirder, the more we will do,” noted Fai, highlighting a possible future party featuring anime soundtracks.
“These Gen Z’s, as much as they enjoy new music, they thrive on old music. They thrive on nostalgia. What they listened to when they were 10, they want it now. That’s a reason why Paramore and Avril Lavigne work… and because we know in our head, no clubs will play Paramore.”
Culture's WhoHurtYou anniversary, titled Homecoming Part II, on Jun 28, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca and Azfian Anuar)
Culture's WhoHurtYou anniversary, titled Homecoming Part II, on Jun 28, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca and Azfian Anuar)
IN NEED OF A "SAFER" SPACE
More than the music, Shahrin found the “sense of community” kept her returning. “One thing I noticed is that when I go for Culture's events, I end up making more friends, talking to strangers, because everybody’s there for the same thing. We have similar interests,” she said.
“And many people won’t expect this, but I’ve had conversations with other attendees and a lot of them are introverted. They started going out of their comfort zone and going for these events, which is cool.”
Moreover, Shahrin admitted, as “one of the minority races in Singapore, what I noticed is that the people going for the events are more diverse”. She wouldn’t see as many partygoers who “looked like (her)” in the past.
“I would say this is a safer space. People know that it’s an unspoken (rule) where like you’re all going for this event, so just be nice to each other, just enjoy and have a good time."
Nelly, who also shows up at other events besides Retro Metro without her mum, added that she's grown comfortable bumping into familiar faces and feels the parties are "very inclusive".
In fact, according to global trends, Gen Z’s are increasingly “sober curious” mostly for health reasons. This group either doesn't drink at all or opts for mocktails, and they long for inclusive and safe spaces that cater to their lifestyle choices.
Another regular, Shantel Lim, highlighted that the good thing about Culture's parties is that “you don’t really need a lot of alcohol to enjoy themed nights”. The 24-year-old used to club thrice a week on average pre-pandemic, but her experiences tended to be “toxic and tiring” and she usually ended the night wasted.
“Club is, like, die die must have alcohol. So Culture is great for people who don’t want to drink. I really don’t want to drink anymore,” she added.
After being “super done” with conventional clubs pre-pandemic, Shantel fell in love with Culture's WhoHurtYou parties about two years ago. She didn’t have to worry about being touched or groped on the dance floor, nor that people would approach her with a “hidden agenda”.
She also appreciated that there were “no fights or physical altercations, because no one is touching someone else’s female friend inappropriately”, and candidly admitted that she wouldn’t want a “normal” clubber to attend Culture's events.
“Everybody’s just there for the wholesome vibes. It's just hardcore fans who like the music. Even though everybody’s different, it creates this bond,” she said.
Sure enough, Shahrin recalled being drawn to Nelly’s carefree abandon on the dance floor, despite not personally knowing her fellow Culture regular.
“Nelly was just dancing like she didn’t care about the people around her. That is something that you see a lot at Culture events. Everybody just dances to their heart’s desire," she said. "Nobody cares whether you’re dancing weird. Anything, anyone is welcome.”
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But event organiser Culture SG, new-ish kids on the block, believes you shouldn’t have to forgo the uninhibited feeling of dancing to music you love with others who share similar tastes, just because you may feel out of place in a normal club. Its co-founders want to make clubbing “inclusive”.
Ashraf Karim, Ahmad Faizal and Vira Suria began their career as DJs back when Zouk was synonymous with clubbing, and the popular spot was still at Jiak Kim Street.
“Every other club was selling the same experience,” said 35-year-old Faizal, better known as Fai or his stage name SoundsOfFai. “Basically, you pay a cover charge, you don’t get to know what the DJ will play – I mean, you’d just have a rough idea if you listen to Spotify Top 50 – and there’ll be typical bottle service.”
People went clubbing to “get wrecked, listen to music, and (leave)”, recalled Ashraf, 28, or Ash as he's better known.
CATERING TO “NEW WAVE” OF CLUBBERS
Then COVID changed how the “new wave of clubbers” consumed content. Over the pandemic, 16-year-olds turned 18, and 18-year-olds turned 20 – and they discovered clubbing music and culture through TikTok videos, Fai noticed.
When normalcy resumed, the trio, who’d organised one themed party pre-COVID, saw a gap in the market for more such themed parties to cater to the “lost generation” – the kids who perhaps expected to come of age partying, but instead were first exposed to the raucous scene alone in the intimacy of their bedroom via a phone screen.
Themed parties would hopefully replicate that sense of comfort for the individual – but within a public venue and with likeminded strangers.
And so, on Aug 8, 2022, they brought back TikTok Night, a theme that had begun in 2018, asking attendees to show up in red and white "if (they were) patriotic". The series aimed to be "the go-to party for anyone who’s looking for a healthy vibe and fun party", its Peatix event listing stated.
“If I was 18, coming out of COVID, never been clubbing before, you’d feel a little bit intimidated to go to (bigger) clubs because you don’t really have that kind of spending power,” said Ash, whose stage name is Marshmallowman, explaining the preferential treatment usually offered to those with more money to burn.
“(We wanted to cater to) people who want to go out but don’t want to spend so much, but also want to be at a space where they’re equal, not treated any differently,” added Fai.
“In a nutshell, Culture is known to be disruptive in the nightlife industry. We don’t make parties just to create parties. We have a community, and when the community wants something, we will deliver.”
EMO, RETRO, MANDOPOP THEMED PARTIES
Under Culture, the trio eventually developed various recurring themed series, such as WhoHurtYou nights for emo and pop-punk lovers, Retro Metro which plays hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s, and a few Taylor Swift inspired events that also feature acoustic sets of her newer singles as well as hits from her “best friends” like Ed Sheeran and Sabrina Carpenter.
They also have Back 2 Two Thousands parties, which honestly sounds like a dream for those missing Y2K bops – the best decade for music in my millennial opinion.
Culture's Shrek-themed party on Jun 22, 2024, which featured Disney and cartoon hits, and 2000s pop. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
"Blind mice" at Culture's Shrek-themed party on Jun 22, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
Then there was a Shrek-themed party held in June, where partygoers were encouraged to dress up as characters from Far, Far Away – the enchanted kingdom in the Shrek movies.
And for the Mandopop community, the KTV mic-hoggers, there’s a series called Mando Hearts, where partygoers sing along to “slow Mandopop” for an entire night. The party doesn't play manyao, quipped Fai, referring to the trendy genre of Chinese/Cantonese EDM remixes. (Also known as the songs you might hear when a young punkzips by on an e-scooter.)
“It’s really like what you hear on Spotify. Obviously the DJ will do live mixing, like we’ll mix in tong hua and an jing but no EDM songs. It’s really just a singalong (session),” he added.
Without a fixed location, Culture then finds a venue based on the party's theme and its expected patrons, whether the venue owner shares the same "vision" as them, and the venue's alcohol prices in comparison to how much they believe their attendees can afford to pay. An average general admission ticket tends to cost S$30, but ticket prices for certain events have gone as low as S$10 depending on the target demographic.
"We need to create a space where everyone can be intimate enough that they will start putting their arms around each other, wave side to side, and sing," said Fai.
Culture's Taylor Swift themed party, T Party, on Nov 10, 2023. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
To be fair, going against conventional clubbing culture with themed parties isn't revolutionary. Nightlife veterans might know Eatmepoptart, which was created around 2005 when its founder Adrian Wee had similar observations about the clubbing scene.
“The parties were full of vibes, but the all-night jumping and the excessive booze had to mean something more right?” he wrote on Eatmepoptart’s website in 2023. “I craved a night with music that connected with our souls and tapped into our deep memories – something that could spiritually unite a whole room and conjure up waves of emotions.”
The music that would achieve this outcome, he and his friends figured, included 90s Britpop, alternative rock, indie – whatever would invoke the emotions that came with being a “wide-eyed teenager trying our best to grow up and belong”.
In fact, Culture also acknowledged that a handful of smaller players, who throw themed parties as well, have sprung up since they began.
Attendees dressed in theme at Culture's Retro Metro party on Mar 22, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
A partygoer dressed as Bruno Mars at Culture's Back 2 Two Thousands 24K Magic Post Party on Apr 12, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
But no matter how unique the theme, I've found an event is really just the framework for individual experience.
What makes an event memorable, or keeps any reluctant clubber, introverted party animal or awkward wallflower there, is the organiser’s DNA – a unique and non-replicable essence found in any attendee’s shared experience.
They might not be able to describe why they love an event, but they always know when they do; when a place they would typically feel outcast makes them feel welcomed.
Nelly De Castro (in pink), with her sister and 59-year-old mother at Culture's Retro Metro party on Mar 22, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
"MY MUM FELT VERY INCLUDED"
Take Lyan De Castro. The 59-year-old grandmother might not be the quintessential raver, but when she attended her first Retro Metro party last May, she didn’t feel out of place. In fact, she was probably the attendee most in her element.
Her daughter, Nelly De Castro, had decided to surprise her for Mother’s Day, figuring she would enjoy “retro music from the 70s”.
“I tried to make sure she blended in with the crowd and had fun dancing with other people, like she felt very included. And I remember everyone loved her presence,” said Nelly, who’d never thought of clubbing with her mum before that night.
But the 29-year-old mother of two knew her mum had always been outgoing and liked dancing, so she thought she’d introduce her to something new.
Nelly De Castro (sitting), with her sister and mum at Culture's Retro Metro party on Mar 22, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
Going for Culture's events at the start was a novel experience for Nelly too, as she didn’t indulge in Singapore’s nightlife or attend any other clubbing events.
“I thought it was a good bonding activity, like you strut your stuff, do your thing, make fun of each other. It’s brought us significantly much, much closer than we were before,” she added.
After that night’s party, Mrs De Castro became a regular at subsequent Retro Metro events, relishing every opportunity to relive her youth. She’d loved events when she was young, but had little chance to go out with her family.
“After the first time I went there, when I went on my second time, the young kids said, ‘AH MA!’” she laughed. “I just enjoy the music and go with the flow.”
One of Culture's co-founders Vira Suria, who goes by the same stage name, at the Paramore & Friends party on Sep 30, 2023. (Photo: Azfian Anuar)
One of Culture's co-founders Ash, whose stage name is Marshmallowman, at the Back 2 Two Thousands party on Aug 30, 2023. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca)
One of Culture's co-founders Fai, whose stage name is SoundsOfFai, at the Back 2 Two Thousands party on Sep 29, 2023, which they partnered with H&M. (Photo: Azfian Anuar)
Still, I was sceptical that clubbing could feel like a safe space – an experience completely opposite from what I was used to. At least based on my hazy memories from a lifetime ago, party culture meant alcohol-addled “fun”, and perfecting dance moves or dressing up to impress potential paramours.
As much as I was enticed by Culture's premise and their 18,000 member-strong Telegram channel (@CultureSG), I really wasn't keen to revisit the insecure nights of my early 20s and the subsequent regret the following morning when I checked my bank balance.
But describing a vibe is something you can’t quite fake nor make up based on someone else’s recount. So I attended my first Culture event at the end of June – a WhoHurtYou party at Hard Rock Cafe. The night I was there, they played Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, Paramore and Avril Lavigne among others. My millennial heart all but combusted from nostalgia.
And amid sweaty strangers, partying for the first time in close to a decade, I was comfortable, a foreign feeling that had no place in my clubbing memory, and I had so much fun. No quote marks necessary.
Culture's WhoHurtYou anniversary, titled Homecoming Part II, on Jun 28, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca and Azfian Anuar)
“MUSIC I CAN VIBE WITH”
As it turned out, other Culture regulars, albeit non-millennials, once mirrored my first experience of a seemingly growing subculture. Shahrin Syara first learnt about Culture's themed parties about a year ago via an Instagram ad, though she doubted their quality or legitimacy as they were event organisers and didn’t have a fixed clubbing location.
The 26-year-old did a 180 after accompanying a friend to a WhoHurtYou party.
“I thought it was so fun. I really enjoyed myself. Finally, music that I can actually vibe with. And they seemed to be doing this quite regularly, so I thought if I ever want to listen to this kind of music at a club again, I’ll just come back,” she gushed.
Shahrin’s past clubbing experience, including at siam dius (Thai disco nightclubs), had often been “a hit or miss”, because she enjoyed different genres of music.
“We try our best to stay away from music that’s being played in clubs. We don’t really do EDM. The quirkier and weirder, the more we will do,” noted Fai, highlighting a possible future party featuring anime soundtracks.
“These Gen Z’s, as much as they enjoy new music, they thrive on old music. They thrive on nostalgia. What they listened to when they were 10, they want it now. That’s a reason why Paramore and Avril Lavigne work… and because we know in our head, no clubs will play Paramore.”
Culture's WhoHurtYou anniversary, titled Homecoming Part II, on Jun 28, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca and Azfian Anuar)
Culture's WhoHurtYou anniversary, titled Homecoming Part II, on Jun 28, 2024. (Photo: Zack Dilaroca and Azfian Anuar)
IN NEED OF A "SAFER" SPACE
More than the music, Shahrin found the “sense of community” kept her returning. “One thing I noticed is that when I go for Culture's events, I end up making more friends, talking to strangers, because everybody’s there for the same thing. We have similar interests,” she said.
“And many people won’t expect this, but I’ve had conversations with other attendees and a lot of them are introverted. They started going out of their comfort zone and going for these events, which is cool.”
Moreover, Shahrin admitted, as “one of the minority races in Singapore, what I noticed is that the people going for the events are more diverse”. She wouldn’t see as many partygoers who “looked like (her)” in the past.
“I would say this is a safer space. People know that it’s an unspoken (rule) where like you’re all going for this event, so just be nice to each other, just enjoy and have a good time."
Nelly, who also shows up at other events besides Retro Metro without her mum, added that she's grown comfortable bumping into familiar faces and feels the parties are "very inclusive".
In fact, according to global trends, Gen Z’s are increasingly “sober curious” mostly for health reasons. This group either doesn't drink at all or opts for mocktails, and they long for inclusive and safe spaces that cater to their lifestyle choices.
Another regular, Shantel Lim, highlighted that the good thing about Culture's parties is that “you don’t really need a lot of alcohol to enjoy themed nights”. The 24-year-old used to club thrice a week on average pre-pandemic, but her experiences tended to be “toxic and tiring” and she usually ended the night wasted.
“Club is, like, die die must have alcohol. So Culture is great for people who don’t want to drink. I really don’t want to drink anymore,” she added.
After being “super done” with conventional clubs pre-pandemic, Shantel fell in love with Culture's WhoHurtYou parties about two years ago. She didn’t have to worry about being touched or groped on the dance floor, nor that people would approach her with a “hidden agenda”.
She also appreciated that there were “no fights or physical altercations, because no one is touching someone else’s female friend inappropriately”, and candidly admitted that she wouldn’t want a “normal” clubber to attend Culture's events.
“Everybody’s just there for the wholesome vibes. It's just hardcore fans who like the music. Even though everybody’s different, it creates this bond,” she said.
Sure enough, Shahrin recalled being drawn to Nelly’s carefree abandon on the dance floor, despite not personally knowing her fellow Culture regular.
“Nelly was just dancing like she didn’t care about the people around her. That is something that you see a lot at Culture events. Everybody just dances to their heart’s desire," she said. "Nobody cares whether you’re dancing weird. Anything, anyone is welcome.”
Continue reading...