“It’s giving: ‘A bisexual girl and a gay guy walk into a bar...’” That’s how Zoe Gitter and Alex Chapman describe their GAG parties (loosely standing for ‘girl and gay’). They didn’t provide a punchline – presumably they’re too busy planning the official LIDO Festival afterparty in London this Saturday (June 14).

The truth is funnier than a punchline could ever be anyway. The duo first met in a queer line-dancing class called Stud Country in Silver Lake, LA, of all places, and soon found common ground in a feeling that the city was missing a queer club night where people “could listen to high quality music and actually dance”. They combined Chapman’s experience in New York’s gay club culture and Gitter’s in what she describes as ‘Berlin tech-house-y vibes’, and the GAG party was born.

Their first event was held on Fairfax Avenue’s Genghis Cohen restaurant in 2023 and, in two short years, GAG has cemented itself at the core of LA’s nightlife circuit. The parties have featured guest appearances from Tinashe, the 1975’s George Daniel and Hudson Mohawk, but their big break came last year when Charli xcx invited Chapman and Gitter on her international Partygirl tour, which culminated in an appearance at Charli’s now-iconic Boiler Room DJ set in Ibiza.

“Alex and I both knew Charli already, but I think [the booking] stemmed from her coming to GAG when we booked George [Daniel],” explains Gitter. “The last date of that tour was the Ibiza Boiler Room – we were unprepared because it all happened very quickly, but I think that’s why it worked.” Chapman adds: “Now that we practice so much before we play together I would never… but blind confidence and drinking Patron from the bottle ended up working out pretty well.”

In the viral set, the duo immediately followed Charli with a back-to-back mix representing both of their DJ experiences – singalong pop choruses collapsing into thumping Eurodance basslines while xcx hypes up the crowd on the microphones. Both can be seen partying front and centre throughout the 90 minute video, and swear that Charli was just ‘tying her shoe’ when she ducked underneath the table during the Dare’s performance.

Continuing their integral role in the Brat universe, Chapman and Gitter are heading to London this weekend to host the official afterparty for Charli’s leg of LIDO festival (where the GAG DJs are also set to appear alongside performances from 070 Shake, Bladee, AG Cook, the Japanese House and more). Teasing what the duo have in store for fans at the Colour Factory afterparty, Gitter hints: “People can definitely expect some special guests,” while Chapman reiterates that their “number one priority” is to get people to dance.

In anticipation of their landmark party this weekend, below, GAG DJs Alex Chapman and Zoe Gitter tell Dazed how they like to get down on their ideal night out. 

What day of the week is this?

AC: Thursday or Saturday.

ZG: Thursday.

What essential party supplies are you bringing out with you?

AC: Capris and Listerine strips. I refuse to be caught with bad breath.

ZG: Electrolyte packet, compression socks and my migraine glasses.

Where are you heading for pres?

AC: The apartment of a fellow gay.

ZG: I’m so nervous that I’m probably getting ready up until the second I have to leave. Whatever I’m doing, I’ll be late.

What are you drinking?

AC: The gay guy cocktail, AKA a tequila soda.

ZG: Bubbly water.

Where’s the main event?

AC: Somewhere chic and shiny… or a dingy gay bar. Both can be amazing.

ZG: A mansion in the boonies with an amazing sound system.

What time are you getting there?

AC: 11:30.

ZG: 12:30.

Are you DJing/performing? If not, who’s on the lineup?

AC: I hope so! I definitely prefer going out when I’m DJing, otherwise I can get a little antsy, unless the music is hitting just right. If George Daniel is playing I know I’ll be throwing ass.

ZG: I’m playing, but I wanna be playing the 3am slot. I want Boys Noize and DJ Gigola on the lineup as well. Obvi George.

What songs are you requesting from the DJ?

AC: No requests! Show some damn respect...

ZG: Retweet. 

When’s the right time to leave the club?

AC: When I’m bloated.

ZG: I’m there right before it closes, but I don’t like to shut a place down.

Right, rave’s done now. Where are you heading for some food?

AC: I’m ordering something unhealthy to my home and eating it in quiet shame. Pizza or wings maybe.

ZG: Döner kebab - Mustafa’s if I’m in Berlin.

Finally, I hear there’s a vacancy for the London Night Czar position. Who are you appointing?

AC: Jodie Harsh! She’s an icon who has done it all. I need to read her book and learn her ways.

Grab your tickets to the GAG Presents: Official LIDO Afterparty here.