In all honesty, not many people expected one of Brighton’s new fetish nights to be held at the Volks on a Saturday night. Yet this privately organised, ticket-only event paved the way for something sordid, saucy and a little stomach churning to some people that led late into the witching hour of the morning.

Arriving a little later than anticipated, we were thrown into the deep end of the Kalimer Freak Show, a darkly performance of spontaneous body-stapling (complete with functional staple-gun and flyers) and on-stage body piercing. Whilst a man has his neck pierced and hooked, attached to ropes and tugged at aggressively, a few members of the crowd audience wince, whilst others watch in amazement at the masochism that plays out before their very eyes. Not for the faint hearted, the Kalimer Freak Show evolved into something a little fiercer as hooks were placed through the performer’s back whilst his female counter-part pretended to ride horse-and-cart, tugging at the reigns like most professional riders would – bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase giddy up! Fake blood spattered across the crowd, piercing needles scattered across flesh and for a moment it seemed possible that the performer’s flesh may just tear right off.

Upstairs the music was as to be expected – euphoric, dirty-electro and uplifting hard house to trance (thanks to Tina Hart and the Mad Gay Mafia) that seemed to course through the fetish clubbers’ veins like a class A, throwing everyone into a frenzy of first class dancing. Downstairs Simon Carter and Mr Fabulous played host to funky beats that ranged from trashy rock to 80s classics, and with a steady upstairs-downstairs swapping, it seemed that people just couldn’t get enough of both DJs that were obviously performing with immaculate ability.

a voluntary strap-and-spank service
was always available for those desiring
something a little personal from the night.

The crowd were intensely familiar and welcoming to both regulars of the fetish scene and newcomers such as myself, commenting on each other’s effort and interesting personal fetishes, taking the time out to ensure that everyone enjoyed the unique and interesting night that Vice had intended to bring to Brighton. If on-stage Freak Shows weren’t enough for you, a voluntary strap-and-spank service was always available for those desiring something a little personal from the night. Complete with wooden crucifix on stage, fetishists voluntary strapped themselves in, facing away from the crowd and chose their vice – whipping, spanking, or a feather duster – whatever tickled your fancy, really!

Although there were a few teething issues with the venue that need to be addressed, the rather cosy corner that is the Volks seemed ideal for this somewhat intimate affair was perfect. A night of softcore fetish debauchery seemingly much enjoyed by its punters, Vice’s next party held for Brighton Pride (6th August) will be eagerly anticipated with whips, chains and no doubt a foray of fetish hungry clubbers.