American dance music’s gay underground is a scene without a center: led by DJs and promoters who are part of a national network as much as their local scenes, and pursue transcendent experiences in future-facing electronic music; putting house, techno and disco at the emotional center of their parties. Since 2012, the NeedlExchange crew has been flying the flag of the gay underground in Washington, DC. Their chosen venues are varied – they’ve taken over warehouse spaces, bath houses and the U-Street Music Hall – but their mission has remained wholly consistent since the launch: “creating vibrant spaces for everyone to celebrate the freedom in the groove.”
