The night air was warmer than it had been in weeks, Chancellor’s Drive was bustling with freshers, and the familiar rhythm of pop favourites breezed out of the Union House. Even after a week of club nights, energy was still high.  

Still mourning the loss of Spectrum, I had not been in the LCR in nearly two years. My last Glitterbomb had been its inaugural Barbie event in September 2023, and I didn’t know what to expect. Now in my fourth year of university, I’ve deemed the bulk of my clubbing days behind me, but the fresh electricity brought in by the new students kept me going.  

As promised by Glitterbomb’s “Powerpop Girls” theme, the night was largely carried by hits by the 2020s pop trinity that is Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. Chart toppers such as Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ and Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’ had the whole room in an ecstatic frenzy, and we were treated with some of Charli’s old-school hits (such as ‘I Love It,’ which launched me back to many a school disco.) However, the DJ also graced us with 2000s pop classics such as Rihanna’s ‘Shut Up and Drive,’ Justin Bieber’s ‘Beauty and a Beat,’ and ‘Perfect (Exceeder)’ by Mason, enough to satisfy any pop fan. Mixed with cheap drinks and a downpour of pastel pink confetti, Glitterbomb had something for everyone. 

What truly made the night stand out from any other LCR event I’ve been to was the emceeing done by Norwich-based drag queen, Stealia Jobs. She worked the crowd and reaffirmed Norwich’s queer presence by asking all the gay people in the room to cheer, and by declaring where exactly St. George’s flag should be shoved, a refreshing break from the conservative signs that have been popping up around the city. As the night reached its end, and with only a few songs left on the queue, she reminded the sea of students to “shag about, get [their] grades, go out into the world, and keep partying until the night is done,” words any young adult should live by.  

From the fan-favorite tunes and brilliant performers to the lively crowds and bustling smoking section, Glitterbomb reminded me of why I used to go to the LCR so much, and marked an excellent start to the upcoming year of queer nightlife.   

Image Credit: Micah Petyt