For decades, LGBTQ+ people have been told to repent, to hide, to suppress their joy. THE CHAPEL flips that narrative on its head, turning the dance floor into a place of worship – one filled with thumping pop and house beats, queer energy, and a congregation of hedonists ready to lose themselves in the music. We spoke to promoter Mussy Marcus about this new club night and the inspiration behind it.
Hi Mussy, lovely to meet you. What inspired you to become a queer events promoter, and when did you start out?
I’ve been part of London’s queer nightlife for over a decade, and in that time, I’ve seen how the scene has shifted. There have been some unforgettable nights, but I’ve also watched the spaces shrink, the energy change, and a lot of what once made the scene feel exciting and personal start to fade. I never planned to be a promoter, but after years of being a regular on the dance floor, it felt like the right time to stop waiting for the nights I wanted to see and start building them myself. I started working on Phoenix Legacies in 2024, and The Chapel is our first official event.
Tell us about Phoenix Legacies and its mission.
Phoenix Legacies was created to reimagine what queer nightlife can be. To build experiences that feel fresh, inclusive and exciting again. Events that are rooted in community and care but still deliver on fun.
There’s no shortage of events in London, but the scene has become dominated by a handful of big names and brands, and while I have a lot of respect for the work they do, it leaves less space for variety. Phoenix Legacies is about injecting something new into the ecosystem.
Competition in this space is a good thing. It pushes all of us to innovate, to listen more carefully to our audiences, and to really think about what we’re offering people when they choose to spend their money and their night with us.
You’ve done quite a lot of research prior to launching The Chapel. Please tell our readers the importance of that.
We ran the LGBTQ+ London Nightlife Survey before launching anything. Over 300 people responded, and the insight we got from that was invaluable. People were clear about what excites them, what turns them off, what makes them feel safe, and what makes them want to go out in the first place.
One of the clearest takeaways was that people are willing to pay more for a ticket, as long as the night actually delivers. But too often, you’re being asked to pay £20+ for a DJ, a bar and a dance floor, and that’s it. There’s no atmosphere, no personality, and nothing that makes it feel like an experience.
For us, the research gave us a blueprint to build something more intentional. It’s not just about throwing a party – it’s about building a space that people actually want to be part of.
Why did you choose this venue?
No90 Live had the right energy. It’s a big, open space with character, but it doesn’t feel sterile or overly polished. It gave us the flexibility to create two really distinct rooms—our main house room indoors and the pop room on the canal boat outside. That outdoor space added a different dimension to the night, something that people don’t expect. The sound is great, the stage works beautifully for our dancers and performers, and the venue team have been supportive ofwhat we’re trying to create. We wanted somewhere that didn’t just tick logistical boxes but actually contributed to the atmosphere, and No90 does that.
What is your music policy for the night, and what other entertainment can we look forward to?
The right music and DJ is foundation to any event, and I’m making sure we deliver. Room 1 is driven by house. High energy, bassy, vocal, queer-led sets that bring proper rhythm to the night. The night will be led by 5 of some of the most recognised and loved DJs in the scene and who know exactly how to read a crowd: Callie Crighton, Prince JayJay, Raul Botella, Reenie and TeTe Bang.
Room 2 is full pop chaos: floor fillers, scream-the-chorus energy, and no pretension.
We’ve also got six of the most recognised go-go dancers working the stage, keeping the floor alive throughout the night. With a special live set from ROM-1 – an incredible artist with support from BBC Radio 1 and Gay Times.
We have another very well respected and loved artist who will be performing on the night, someone who will be releasing new music soon and you’ll get to see them live on The Chapel stage. We’ve dropped a couple hints on our instagram page for those with a keen eye and will be making the official announcement very soon.
What kind of crowd do you hope will attend?
We want people who are coming out for the right reasons. People who want to dance, connect, move freely, and be in a space that doesn’t feel cliquey or closed off.
The Chapel is about building a space that holds all of that; fun, energy, release, but also intention. It’s open to everyone, but I am always going to centre LGBTQ+ people first, especially those who don’t always feel reflected or prioritised in mainstream nightlife.
What advice would you give to someone looking to break into the queer events scene?
Start by showing up. Go out, support nights you respect, and pay attention to what you’re drawn to. Don’t overthink the launch – start small, make it meaningful, and focus on who your event is really for.
Be honest about why you’re doing it. Is it for clout, or is it to add something to the scene? People can tell. And don’t try to be everything to everyone. Find your angle and build from there. The best nights are the ones with a clear identity and purpose.
What plans do you have for the future that you can share with us now?
The Chapel is only the beginning. We’ve got more events in the works, and I’d love to explore new concepts under the Phoenix Legacies name. But one of the things I’m most excited about is publishing the full LGBTQ+ nightlife survey report. A lot of promoters would keep that kind of data to themselves – we’re sharing it publicly.
The aim is to help existing nights grow and improve, and to give people who want to break into the scene something to start with. There are so many people out there with ideas but no starting point. I hope this opens the door for them.
The Chapel is on Friday 2 May 2025, 9 pm – 2:30 am, at No90 Live, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LN, United Kingdom.
