Koodeta

Hackney Wick is alive. Navigating through the dark terrain of Hamlet Industrial Estate around midnight, the smooth sounds pulsating from Mick’s Garage along with the gaggle of rowdy smokers outside Crate Brewery, leads to the din emanating from the German Deli Warehouse nearby.

In an unsuspecting building, the warehouse is home to the girls only rave ‘Koodeta’ run by a group of women that showcase female talent to the techno deprived London lesbian scene. The only industrial techno event with a ladies only policy at the door, Koodeta has caused quite a stir for all the right reasons.

Taking note of the strict ‘no camera’ rule that’s typical at any club in Berlin, a sticker is placed on our phone cameras before being led to a free cloakroom - the first sign that you’re welcome and trusted in the environment. The familiar warmth of Jeff Mills ‘The Bells’ snakes out to the small bar, encouraging us to enter the main room. Finishing on this classic track, Lee Richez goes out on a high much to the delight of the varied female crowd. Minimal production, a crisp sound system and smiling faces looming in the dark make up the euphoric atmosphere. The phrase ‘good vibes’ comes to mind.

Ireen Amnes takes over from Lee, smoothly mixing into a dark, booming unknown belter and the room is hooked. Noticing a small gathering of men present, I wonder why they’re here. ‘Friends of the organisers’ I’m told by a punter in the toilet queue. I ask her why she’s here - ‘There’s nothing else like this, I just want a proper techno night for lesbians’. That seems to be the general reason for all girls here. Koodeta certainly nails their bookings of female DJs, resulting in a loyal, appreciative and eclectic mix of gay and straight women coming through the doors.

Locked in from 12am-4am means a cigarette is off limits, a disappointment to those craving a comforting carcinogen. But it means we can revel in Ireen’s 4 hour mix of sultry, dark sounds to intense, hair raising clangers, spun with a delicate swiftness, driving the crowd to a satisfied frenzy. Some ladies had taken their tops off at this point, but no one thinks twice as Ireen’s track selection and moody lighting dominates the small space. It’s clear that both freedom and respecting one another’s privacy is the ethos of the occasion.

As the night draws to a close, it’s a pleasant surprise to see my coat and bag remaining untouched in the unguarded cloakroom area. Spilling out of the warehouse into the freezing cold and contemplating the ‘Death & Leisure’ after party hosted by KAOS in Electrowerkz, couples are kissing and falling about like a scene from a lesbian version of ‘The OC’ but in misty East London, not sun-kissed Orange County.

Koodeta is ruffling London’s LGBT feathers and has been received with open arms to a buzzing and committed community of ladies who just love techno. At a time when a misogynist world leader is present every day in our lives, Koodeta is a reminder that no matter who you are as a woman, you are not forgotten or vilified, but are welcome to escape and embrace yourself through the simple joy of dancing in what is essentially a sausage deli.

Gay or straight, events like Koodeta are needed more than ever. Support the girls and join the community through Facebook and RA and watch out for the next celebration of women and techno in the most ironic venue in London.