DEAD OF NIGHT. MilkwoodJam, Saturday, 5 July. Plymouth Street, Swansea.

The world looks different when you’re on a leash.

The leash in question this time, at least, was around my neck in the backseat of a black taxi on the way to DEAD OF NIGHT at MilkwoodJam last Saturday. I was dressed in something flimsy and white with the obligatory corset. Not that I resent the corset, it’s just the garment of choice among the ladies in attendance. Take Court for example: sitting beside me in a short black corset that does nothing to disguise her stunning figure, a shiny red apple bobbing against her throat, the end of the leash in her fist. Tonight I am Snow White and she is the Evil Queen.

Is this a dream come true or what? We must have looked crazy, leading each other around on the dance floor all night, madly wielding whips and chains, passing the collar between us. Might have looked crazy, and might well have been, but if there’s one place where it’s safe to be crazy, it’s DEAD OF NIGHT.

The turnout Saturday was excellent, not only in volume but in quality of revellers. Spirits were high so was everyone, so to speak, dancing and drinking until closing time and carrying on to Mozart’s through the rain. More new people were in attendance than ever before, partying and carrying on with the rest of the Hexers with a comfort usually reserved for old friends. I, for one, felt completely at ease with the crowd in spite of my unusual get up and the health & safety perils that could potentially accompany extended periods of time being attached to another person by your neck. It couldn’t be done in any other club on any other night, and that’s a huge part of the appeal of DEAD OF NIGHT and the lovely folks who frequent the festivities. It’s the complete acceptance you experience once you pass the ticket table and see the horror movies on the wall; it’s the unadulterated joy once you realize you’re listening to Nick Cave whilst simultaneously being attached to two stupidly hot women in black.

See you next month.

Jess Ramthun

HEXnight.com presents DEAD OF NIGHT. Goth, Industrial and Elektropop club night. Saturday 16th August at MilkwoodJam (50 Plymouth St, SA1 3QQ), 9pm till 2am, £3 entry. Confirmed future dates: 20th September, 18th October, 29 November, 27 December.