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Watershed brings brat summer to Bristol
When you’re thinking of a big, fun, night out for the gays and the girls, Watershed might not be the first venue that comes to mind.
However, on Friday, the dockside cinema became exactly that.
The ‘I Only Threw this Party 4 U’ event promised “to bring back Brat summer for one night only,” as the Watershed threw an afterparty for the new Charli XCX mockumentary The Moment.
Drag queen DJs, a Charli XCX lookalike competition, bright green cocktails and an ashtray cake brought the star’s bratty aesthetic to Bristol.
Drag performer Tess Drive was in full main pop girl mode
The atmosphere on the night was palpably fun. Girls cackling and gays squealing filled the rainbow-painted staircase en route to the Watershed bar.
Drag queen Tess Drive was pumping pop songs ranging from The Veronicas Untouched, to Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress’ viral hit Stateside and, of course, a hearty helping of Charli XCX songs.
Meeting the brats
Up on the balcony, attendees George and Megan said they didn’t realise Watershed hosted parties like this and spoke about how the cinema should create more events in the future. I Only Threw This Party 4 U had created a safe, carefree environment for the LGBT+ community and allies to let loose on the dancefloor.
Megan said: “I’ve never been to the Watershed before, but I’d definitely come back. It’s important to bring the community together – I’d love to see more events like this.”
George added that having a Charli XCX-themed event aimed at the LGBT+ community made him want to return as it showed the venue was a space for the queer community to gather and have fun.
George continued that many safer spaces in Bristol are disappearing.
Because of this, one-off events like I Only Threw This Party 4 U bring people together through a shared love of music. Both said they had met great people and that the crowd was very friendly.
The vibrant dancefloor at the event was a fun, carefree environment
365 party girls
From twinks in diamanté dark shades and mesh green tops to girls in Y2K-inspired crop tops and long falling curls – it was so Julia.
It looked like a scene straight out of the it-girl-inspired music videos that Charli XCX released alongside her BRAT album.
The crowd was gathered by Quiches Lorraine, dressed as a biblically accurate Charli XCX as she announced the look a like competition.
People cheered and cackled as the nominees gathered on stage, their friends watching on and shouting support.
The Charli XCX lookalike competition involved a recreation of the viral Apple Dance
It was a lot of fun. There was a runway walk, a round recreating the infamous Apple Dance, and finally a challenge to describe something using one word that was the most “Brat”.
All entries into the competition won posters and merchandise. When the eventual winner was announced, the crowd erupted into applause and the dancefloor quickly filled again.
The energy around the Brat-themed photobooth was adorable: girls and gays complimenting each other, laughing at their printout photos, jumping up and down and asking to go in again – or recommending it to someone else.
The winner of the Charli XCX look a like competition (left) alongside drag performer Quiches Lorraine (right)
Watershed continues to screen The Moment until Thursday
All photos: Charley Williams
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