Cardiff residents Finley and Ren turn club promoters with CINC: a new night at Clwb Ifor Bach offering a safe space to combine kinky fashion, alternative techno and queer communities under one roof. India Munday spoke to the two pals about their hedonistic creation.
One area Cardiff perhaps lacks in is queer, music-focused events, so the debut of CINC ought to go down well with any SOPHIE, Arca or Charli XCX fans – or anyone who fancies a night where you can be completely yourself with no boundaries.
On the night, head promoters Finley and Ren bring in some fine acts: namely Bristol-based Bendy Wendy, multi-genre queen Bby Goose, experimental headliner Candy HurtZz and even a set from Panic Shack bassist Gammonslag. CINC, in case you were wondering, is pronounced ‘kink’, but with a Welsh-kissed twist.
This is a debut event in Cardiff. What inspired you guys to start CINC up?
Finley: When I moved to Cardiff from London about a year ago, I quickly noticed that the queer clubbing scene outside of London was pretty rigid. A lot of gay clubs are catered towards mainstream events, and techno events weren’t queer at all! There wasn’t a space in between that catered toward marginalised genders. Pretty much as soon as I met Ren, we bonded over our shared music taste and how we wanted a space for ourselves and our community to feel safe dressing up and listening to the music we were yet to find playing in Cardiff. Plus, there are only so many times you can beg a DJ to play SOPHIE before realising we should just take matters into our own hands.
Ren: I’ve lived in Cardiff for years and I genuinely love the local gay clubs, I love some good karaoke and queens, these places make my gay world go around. But I definitely haven’t felt like there’s an alternative gay clubbing scene. I remember Charli releasing How I’m Feeling Now in lockdown and thinking “what I would give to hear some of these in a club right now”, but I knew even when the clubs opened again, there would be nowhere in Cardiff playing it.
I also love going to raves, but the few I’ve been to in Cardiff have made me feel like a complete outlier at best, and unsafe at worst. I just want a place to listen to what I love without having to tone myself down, or worry that I’m the only visible dyke there. I know others feel the same!
I agree. Although Cardiff has some fun gay nights, and a variety of gigs and raves, there’s really not any of that combined, and feeling in a safe space on a night out is so important too. It’s about time something like CINC came! So, what can we expect on the night?
Ren: Lots of creative outfits/fashion, music from DJs across Cardiff and Bristol, a sense of community and a welcoming space to not take yourself so seriously and have fun!
As quality music is a big focus for the event, what song do you feel represents CINC as a whole?
Finley: COBRAH – Good Puss
Ren: Charli XCX – Party 4 U. Not necessarily musically, but we really did throw this party 4 u all…
You mentioned that Cardiff is a bit behind on inclusive fashion/music events. Are there any events out there in the rest of the UK you feel you can compare CINC to?
Crotch [a queer and femme night just across the border] in Bristol. And literally any night at Dalston Superstore in East London – we particularly love their weekly night Transvisions.
For anyone who may be kink event first-timers, do you have any advice? (Worth clarifying here: this event isn’t a play party, but is a night of celebrating BDSM fashion and alike – think latex, chains or anything that makes you feel good!)
Kink often seems like a scary word for some people. It’s something that a lot of us might only explore behind closed doors. It can seem daunting to lean into that side of yourself in a public event, but CINC is judgment free, where what makes you feel sexy, do what makes you feel sexy and explore your hedonistic side. We really want it to be a space where people are open and comfy to chat to anyone and everyone, as it will be a lot of people’s first time at an event like this. We are all here to support one another and uplift each other.
I gather the event has been selling well in advance – so are you thinking about bigger plans for it in the future? Any dream acts?
As CINC grows, we hope to create a platform that will allow us to continue showcasing LGBTQ+ DJs and performers. We want to eventually want to have regular pole/go-go dancers, alternative drag artists, and performers at our events. Our dream acts would be Arca and LSDXOXO!
CINC, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Thurs 2 Feb
Tickets: £7. Info: here / CINC Instagram
words INDIA MUNDAY
Want more music?
The latest reviews, interviews, features and more, from Wales and beyond.