It’s been 30 years since the start of one of Leeds’ most legendary club nights: Vague. Later evolving into the equally iconic SpeedQueen, their impact and influence on the dance music and LGBTQ+ scenes still lives on. Founder Suzy Mason revisits these nights to remember.
@loveconquersclubland
The inspiration
Vague started in 1993 at High Flyers and then quickly moved to the Warehouse. It was set up by myself, Paul Fryer and Nick Raphael to challenge the sexism, racism and homophobia in clubland at the time. Paul and I had been running a small glamorous art club called The Kit Kat Club the year before and quickly realised that no-one else was going to address these issues of exclusion in Leeds; it was just the way things were and people seemed to accept it. So we decided to do something about it and set up Vague with Nick, who was a promotions manager at the venue. Vague was the first purpose built mixed safe space to exist in Leeds. We just wanted the city to have more glamour and be more cosmopolitan and tolerant. There were so few places to go out back then.
The atmosphere
Vague created a moment and place where everyone could celebrate diversity. It was such an eclectic mix of people: gay, straight, trans, black, white, asian, disabled, rich, poor, young, old. The walls were covered in art, visuals and films. You could wear whatever you wanted and not get laughed at. It really was people’s first experience of anything like this in Leeds – challenging stereotypes and encouraging complete freedom to be who you are and all set to the most uplifting house and hard house music downstairs and funk soul disco and latin upstairs.
The reaction
At first a lot of people didn’t quite get what we were trying to do – they said it could never work in Leeds and that people would never accept it. But it very quickly became incredibly popular, with people travelling from all over the country and waiting hours to get in. We were voted No.1 club in the country by numerous media and magazines over the 3 years Vague lasted.
The evolution
Vague kind of imploded due to crazy hedonism and love, and Nick and Paul moved to London. When it finished I started SpeedQueen with Kas Shaw. It was very much a reaction to what was becoming an increasing corporate club scene and big name DJs charging huge fees. We set up SpeedQueen as a social enterprise even though there was no such business model at that time. We supported many young people in their DJ careers and created opportunities for women – clubland was very male dominated and we were the only female promoters in Leeds at that time
The highlights
The absolute highlight for us was being invited by SFOR the stabilisation force for NATO to tour Bosnia with the British Army after the war. We ran club nights, put on school discos and ran workshops in children’s homes and camps for displaced youths all who had never had a party before. It was a very humbling experience. Night clubs are often dismissed as superficial spaces but at their best they have the potential to be so much more than that. Another highlight is when Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth from Coronation Street) accepted our invitation to our 2nd birthday in 1995 and performed on stage. She was magnificent and we raised £3000 for her Cancer Research charity at St James Hospital.
The legacy
At Vague we had a statement of intent on the door that people had to sign before coming in to agree to respect everyone. I think inclusivity, diversity and codes of conduct have all become well understood mainstream ideals now but back then it was really pioneering and quite visionary. Leeds has changed beyond all recognition. It was a post industrial town that had been hard hit by a recession in the 80’s and there weren’t many places to go out. Now it’s a thriving cosmopolitan city with a lot to look forward to.
The future
I am starting a new social history archive project called Love Conquers Clubland. I will be collecting the stories, experiences and memories of the people who came to the clubs in order to preserve a true record of this time in Leeds and share it with younger generations. Anyone can get involved – all contributions are welcome!
facebook.com/speedqueen hello@loveconquersclubland.com
