“We Often Think Back To That Small Warehouse, Filled With So Much Love, Joy, And Pride”: Inside Sextou’s Second Anniversary

From DIY beginnings to one of the UK's fastest-growing queer raves, the party celebrated two years in the game at London Pride. 

“The moment you walk in, something shifts,” says Sextou founders Umberto Borraccia and Timothy Wang. Since launching in 2024, the party has rapidly established itself as one of the UK’s most exciting queer techno events, hosting some of the scene's most celebrated DJs, including Lolsnake and Tedesco. Named after the Brazilian slang word for ‘Happy Friday’, the event is a dizzying celebration of queer identity and inclusivity, with this edition spanning 12 hours, 19 DJs, two dancefloors and two dark rooms. 

“We knew one thing for certain: the music had to be the focal point,” says Borraccia and Wang. As for the atmosphere on the dance floor – self-acceptance and illimitable self-expression are always the modus operandi. “We often think back to that small warehouse, filled with so much love, joy, and pride,” they say, referring to the initial East London Sextou parties. As the cult-favourite rave continues to grow, its annual Pride events remain a powerful reminder of the importance of queer spaces within nightlife, while honouring Sextou’s foundation. An ode to the euphoric joy that defined their early warehouse events.

After an eventful Pride weekend, Borraccia and Wang talk to Man About Town about staying true to the party’s warehouse origins, its no-phone policy, what they look for in a guest DJ and bringing together London’s queer community.

Sextou was launched in 2024, and so far, you’ve completed 15 UK events featuring some of the most celebrated and in-demand DJs in the techno scene. What makes a Sextou Pride party particularly special? 

Our very first rave took place on Pride day in 2024. At the time, we were simply grateful to secure whatever date was available, and completely unintentionally, Sextou was born on Pride.

Since then, every anniversary has been a double celebration. It's a beautiful reminder that no matter how much we’ve grown or how many shows we go on to do, we should never lose sight of why we started.

We often think back to that small warehouse, filled with so much love, joy, and pride. That energy, that sense of community, and that genuine intention behind the project are what continue to guide Sextou today.

Many queer parties, like Sextou, have introduced no-phone policies to protect the atmosphere on the dance floor. How has your community responded to that approach?

When we were first brainstorming Sextou, we knew one thing for certain: the music had to be the focal point. Everything else would follow. In a nutshell, that’s what a great rave is all about.

The people who truly understand what makes a good rave immediately got it. They were on board from day one. And for those who weren’t quite sure what all the fuss was about, it usually only took stepping into our space to understand.

The moment you walk in, something shifts. Suddenly, your phone becomes the last thing you need for the next few hours. You’re completely present – immersed in the music, connected to the people around you, and part of something much bigger than yourself.

Queer nightlife in London has changed so much over the past decade. What excites you most about where it's heading, and what do you worry about losing?

We both believe that change is necessary, and it is incredibly exciting. What excites us the most is bringing people together, from South London gays to East End dolls, from our own crew to queer collectives across Europe, from the UK to South American carnivals. We want Sextou to be a space where different communities, cultures, and scenes can meet, connect, and celebrate together.  As we continue to grow, I hope we always remind ourselves why we started this in the first place and never lose sight of that original intention. That’s what will keep Sextou special.

Sextou has a set of house rules, but beyond that, what do you wish ravers keep in mind when attending any of your parties? 

An open heart. An open heart towards yourself and towards others. Leave your expectations at home and allow yourself the chance to discover something new – new joy, new connections, and maybe even a new side of yourself. All of a sudden, the things that usually bother you don’t seem so important anymore. You become more open, more accepting, and new pleasures begin to reveal themselves in unexpected ways. Then, when you return to your everyday life, perhaps you’ll take a small piece of that discovery with you. And I think that’s something truly beautiful.

Sextou has hosted some of the most in-demand DJs in the techno scene. Who is your personal dream guest DJ?

Yes, we’ve invited some truly special and incredible DJs so far, and I think we will continue discovering new talent and new voices as Sextou grows. One thing we always want to remind ourselves is that it’s not the number of followers that makes someone a great DJ. It’s their artistry, their taste, and the way they can command a room. It’s about how they take people on a journey, create moments, and make everyone on the dance floor feel something together.