Interview: Aidan Sadler, ‘Big Gay Afterparty’

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with Aidan Sadler about Big Gay Afterparty.

What is BIG GAY AFTERPARTY about?

When you enter the otherworldly catacombs of the caves on cowgate we’re going to transport you into my world of late-night mayhem. Thanks to the 11PM show having a changeover with us the room will already be half full - from there the night will descend into utter debauchery. A highly curated all-star lineup of cabaret, circus, and variety performers showing off their skills punctuated by banging club bops and bangers. We have a late night licence for a reason, the party only stops when the people stop partying!

What was the inspiration for Big Gay Afterparty and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

So it’s actually a show I’ve been doing in London for a couple of years! I was approached by the legends at RGB Monster who said they wanted an afterparty for their 11PM headline show - I immediately argued, what if instead of an afterparty for that show we created an afterparty for the entire day at the festival? Next thing I know we’re absolutely blowing up with over 400 artists applying to be part of the party. We’ve upped our budget about 3 or 4 times because of the hype that’s been generated it’s been awesome!

What made you want to take Big Gay Afterparty to the Fringe?

My whole mantra for the festival every time I’ve done it is to make projects for people who want to see themselves in the work. Having this opportunity to platform so many cool established international, edinburgh based and UK-wide artists (such as the likes of Aussie Swamplesque stars Trigger Happy & Tash York, the high priestess of Edinburgh Drag Mystika Glamoor, and Caribbean burlesque queen of the north east Ebony Silk) as well as newer bright sparks, I hope to create an atmosphere of bohemia and uplifting queer joy! I had my leg up so early on in my career and Big Gay Afterparty will be springboarding so many artists into the public sphere.

Apart from seeing MELODY & BIG GAY AFTERPARTY, what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

To the performers I will say what I always say - keep calm, try not to overwork yourself and trust the process. It’s a rite of passage to perform to single figures and whilst it never feels like it at the time will ultimately make your craft much stronger. To audiences I would say actively seek out shows that aren’t getting the hype/ buzz. All it takes is for one person to see your show and talk loudly about it for it to become a smash hit. If you see a performer trying to get rid of flyers with their own face on it for a show that starts in 25 minutes - go to it!

Why should people book Big Gay Afterparty?

I feel like the modern fringe recently has suffered from a moderate death of its night time vibes, mainly because venues aren’t creating brilliant new spaces for artists and dreamers. People are gagging for a crazy late-night experience, but if you can only find that in the ever-becoming-more-networky artist bars of the big four venues (which, if you’re not doing a show with them, you’re not invited - their own front of house staff included) then what can you do?! Create a space for yourself! Each night is different both in lineup and disciplines! Hoops, acrobatics, vocals, drag, circus, 6 nights a week, every week!

When and where can people see Big Gay Afterparty?

Big Gay Afterparty is on at half past midnight every night of the festival (2nd-25th) apart from Monday nights!