Inside the world of Go-Go Dancers in Scotland
With Glasgow’s club scene evolving, the lives of go-go dancers within queer spaces are changing too – what does the future of performance look like in Scotland’s clubs?
Today in Glasgow, go-go dancers are taking up space within four main areas: ballroom, cabaret, drag and the club scene – all of which reflect a form of expression, with a combination of dance, performance, art and all the intricacies in between.
Originating back in the 1960s, go-go dancing’s role of engaging crowds is now an essential in the queer clubbing scene, helping build the atmosphere within venues.
Last year, insider.co.uk shared a report stating that more than a third of nightclubs in Scotland have shut down since 2020. This decline has seen the closure of many third spaces for marginalised communities, meaning the responsibility is now on the wider community to accommodate queer bodies in their spaces.
It's as important as ever that venues employ staff who implement safeguarding policies for those who visit and work in them. What are the experiences of those go-go dancers starting out, and for those who have seen the changes over the years?
Name: Diamond Noir
How long you’ve been dancing: Three months
What is something you had to learn when starting out? I'd never done any paid work except in a 9-to-5 situation, I didn't know how to draft an invoice or who to even contact for your payments. [My friend] Zulaa gave me some guidance which has been very important and helpful.
Are there any safety measures you put in place before going out? Usually, I go out with a group of people I know and trust. During the night when I'm on stage [my friends] will be around so that it’s easy for me to see them and [for them to] keep an eye on me.
What are your opinions on clubbing in Scotland as a club-goer and dancer? I think my experience with straight clubs early on kind of taught me how to watch out for myself. There are POC spaces and there are queer spaces, but where they meet in the middle is very small.
Masseduction. Image: Masseduction.
Name: Masseduction
How long you’ve been dancing: Over a year
For go-go dancing, do you come up with choreography or do you improvise? When I do drag I have an idea of what I'll do because I know exactly what the song is going to be, whereas with go-go dancing you’re thrown onto that stage [and improvising].
What is something you wish people understood about go-go dancing? People don't realise that part of it is also being someone who is sociable and fun off the stage. We're on and off that stage throughout the night, if [we’re] not in the club, we’ll be in the smoking area or the green room.
Have any experiences changed the way you thought about performing? [It’s] remembering that you are still booked for a job – self-control. I did get a bit too drunk once which involved me falling down the stairs and almost twisting an ankle. I think that was a wake-up call for me.
Zulaa. Image: Kate McMahon.
Name: Zulaa
How long you’ve been dancing: One year and a half
When did your interest in performing begin? I came to the UK from Mongolia and I discovered drag [through] Drag Race as a teenager. But even before then, I was always lip-syncing in my room with my cousin as a child, imagining myself on stage and giving lipstick stamps to my stuffed toy audience.
When was your first time on stage? I was recruited by Ponyboy while in alien drag and I was asked to dance on stage for the GSA Graduation Showcase After Party in 2023.
Have any experiences changed the way you thought about performing? I sometimes get guilty about my inability to dance as I am known for my ‘looks,’ meaning I focus on channelling myself through my outfit. A positive is that I get to be more creative and push myself through visual art.
Huntress. Image: Spit.
Name: Huntress
How long you’ve been dancing: 11 years
What is something you wish people understood about go-go dancing? There's a lot more unknown in these spaces in terms of risk. There are lots of people who are intoxicated, so learning [how] to perform and dance but also be safe in that environment is really important.
Have any experiences changed the way you saw performing? One of my favourite gigs was when I was go-go dancing for SOPHIE & Friends back in 2019 at the Art School. Also [working with] people like Jasmine Infiniti and Big Freedia; so much of club culture is queer and lots of queer artists come up through it.
Are there any safety measures you have in place before a night? I've learned now to have an access rider and be explicit with promoters if I've never worked with them before.