Liverpool, you were extremely good to us.
On Friday 4 September, LOUD WOMEN joined forces with brilliant Liverpool DIY promoters GothFrog Productions for DOLLHOUSE at ARC:HIVE, with Auraboros + The Argyle Jumpers + Woke Nonsense + Second Idol.
It was a fantastic night, and exactly the sort of collaboration we love: international touring artists alongside local and regional bands, two DIY promoters pooling our resources, and a room full of people who care about making the alternative music scene more inclusive.
A particularly massive thank you goes to GothFrog for helping us make a Liverpool date happen for our Sydney pals Second Idol during their frankly heroic UK and Ireland tour. Liverpool came in the middle of a week that took them through Dublin, Manchester and Edinburgh before DOLLHOUSE, then straight on to LOUD WOMEN Fest London and Brighton.
Even better, the night raised several hundred pounds for Protect Scouse Dolls, the Liverpool community-led fund and support network centring the wellbeing and collective freedom of the city’s Trans+ community. Their work includes practical support through the Essential Care Fund alongside mutual aid, community events and other projects supporting Trans+ people across Liverpool.
Huge thanks to every band who played, everyone at ARC:HIVE, everybody who donated and bought raffle tickets, and especially GothFrog for inviting us to make the night together.
On Monday 7 September, LOUD WOMEN joined GothFrog again as guests on Mersey Women on Liverpool Community Radio, talking about inclusivity and diversity in the DIY music scene, why it matters who gets to be on our stages and in our audiences, and the importance of building grassroots music spaces where people actually feel welcome.
That’s something GothFrog put at the centre of what they do. The queer-run, not-for-profit collective describes its aim as creating accessible, inclusive events where trans and queer people are not merely welcome but celebrated.
Next up from GothFrog: Weirdos, Moshers & Freaks
If all this has made you want another GothFrog night, fortunately you don’t have too long to wait.
On Saturday 31 October, they return to District Liverpool with Weirdos, Moshers & Freaks 2: Halloween Metal Cabaret, bringing together live music, drag, burlesque, sideshow and a celebration of queer and alternative culture.
The live bill features Vanitas + Skin Flowers + Nocturne, with the night raising funds for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation works to challenge prejudice and intolerance and celebrate difference, while Clatterbridge Cancer Charity supports patients, care and research at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre across Merseyside, Cheshire and beyond.
GET TICKETS FOR WEIRDOS, MOSHERS & FREAKS
And follow @GothFrogProductions for everything else they’ve got coming up.
For now, here’s DOLLHOUSE through the lens of Quentin Hughes. Huge thanks to Quentin for capturing such a brilliant night, and to everyone who made our first LOUD WOMEN x GothFrog adventure such a good one.
Liverpool, we’ll be back.
