Neowarras: Photos from Valencia’s sluttiest queer rave

Having lived in both London and Berlin, Neowarras founder Yassy knows a thing or two about LGBTQ+ nightlife. When she eventually decided to return home to Valencia, she took the best of the two cities’ clubbing scenes with her, curating her own queer night. 

Translating to ‘neo-slut’, the Spanish rave mixes electro-house with bubblegum pink graphics and a crowd dripping in y2k fashion. Think “Perfect (Exceeder)”, but triple the tempo. Madrid and Barcelona may be paving the way as Spain’s LGBTQ+ capitals, but with the rise of nights like Neowarras, Valencia is carving out a queer identity of its own. 

Below, we caught up with founder Yassy on all things slutty Valencian nightlife. 

When did you first start Neowarras? 

Yassy: March 2022, after I unexpectedly returned to my hometown, Valencia, after living in London and Berlin for almost 10 years. I was craving a space where I could dance with my dolls to well-curated line-ups, whilst diversifying and putting Valencia back on the international circuit map.

What’s the story behind the name?

Yassy: Neowarras is Spanish for neo-slut. ‘Neo’ references the new age music we listen to (far from the house/techno traditional pairing) and ‘slut’ is a reappropriation of the universally common insult directed towards women. This has been a blessing and a curse at times, as nightlife industry decision-makers are struggling to take a project seriously that is so unapologetically femme and vindicated. 

What do people wear? 

Yassy: There has been a lot of glitter, pink and y2k from the beginning. We love to see how folks experiment – from straight men exploring their femme side with crop tops, to girls leveling up their game with Chappell Roan-style make-up.

Why do you think fashion and style is important to club nights in general?

Yassy: To be a woman, queer or a person of colour in a colonial, male-dominated world can be exhausting. Self-expression in nightlife is essential as an escape from a world where we are constantly policed, threatened and repressed for existing. Fashion is fun, playful and an extension of who we are – allowing us to be the most confident version of ourselves.

What makes Neowarras different from other club nights?

Yassy: I’d say we genuinely invite DJs we love, no matter who they are, where they are from or who they know. This keeps our parties intentionally diverse, mixing big headliners with local DJs who have barely played. Besides that, Neowarras is one of the few club nights run by an Arab woman who has had to constantly fight stigmas: from electronic music not being culturally respected, to our collective not being taken seriously by colleagues and brands not wanting to support us because of our political stance. We are resilient hoes, for sure!

The next event will take place on April 5