Bass n Babes x SWDJs: The Future of Femme-Curated Spaces
Photo Credit: Pixie @pixiedreamnyc
By: Gabriela Cohen aka [DJ JOLIE]
On Saturday, August 2, Support Women DJs (SWDJs) joined forces with Bass n Babes for their New York City rave, transforming The Meadows in Brooklyn into a pulse-pounding celebration of music, community, and unapologetic talent. The bass was so heavy you could feel it thumping through the floor, rattling your shoes, and resonating deep in your chest.
This wasn’t just another show — it was a lineup stacked with powerhouse DJs, artists, and producers featuring: Austeria, Lysn, Lex Looper, Baby Kush, INR CHI. Each of them brought their own style while creating a rare, intentional space for the femme and queer community. The night earned a full 10/10 rating in my book—not just for the music, but for the conversations it sparked. In this blog, you’ll hear from three performing artists/DJs and Rach Brosman, founder of Support Women DJs, about the deeper meaning behind the Bass n Babes x SWDJs collaboration, the evolving landscape for women and queer artists, and how women can grow as DJs, artists, and entrepreneurs in the industry.
Why does this collaboration and event matter?
In the green room at The Meadows, Rach reflected that the night was both passion and mission driven:
“We chose to collab with Bass n Babes because they are so aligned with our mission - they are all about fem and queer DJs. [Also], they specialize in bass and dubstep - which is my favorite personally.”
For artist and DJ INR CHI, the night was both personal and career-defining:
“This collaboration is really pivotal for me because it’s one of the biggest venues that I’ve played at so far, and I’m really honored to do that. I just really love everything that both SWDJs and Bass n Babes stand for…it’s so uncommon to see an all female DJ line up.”
Artist and DJ Lex Looper spoke to the emotional power of the space:
“To me, femme/queer spaces offer safety, validation, and the opportunity to connect with my community. Playing for rooms that are more queer and femme is always an opportunity for expression in ways that feel more true to me emotionally and allow me to be more vulnerable in those moments. My set for the Bass n Babes x SWDJs collaboration is a great example of that!”
And artist and DJ Lysn highlighted how inclusive spaces shift confidence on stage:
“I think femme/queer-centric spaces provide a lot more comfortability for me in general as a person who does identify as queer (bisexual) and as someone with a lot of social anxiety. From a performance perspective I definitely feel an increase in confidence and feel like I have more fun crafting a set list. I definitely feel more seen when playing shows where more femme and queer people are in attendance.”
What does this event reveal about the way women are shaping the music industry in 2025?
Many women and queer artists are gravitating toward grassroots spaces because they offer what the wider industry often can’t: safety and the freedom to be heard. They value rooms that let them experiment, grow their personal brand, and connect with like-minded creatives. Even a small performance can feel more meaningful than a high-paying gig at a club that doesn’t foster inclusion. What this reveals is that 2025 is shaping a culture shift: individuals are making intentional choices to seek belonging above all else, and to find their voice in a competitive industry.
How do we keep pushing women-only spaces forward in entertainment?
On an Individual Level: Women should continue growing their platforms, brands, artistry, and fanbases — as careers expand, so does collective visibility. Key traits that can help you achieve success include adaptability and staying true to your beliefs, as Lysn highlights. Lex adds, “Persistence, patience, and a thick skin will get you far. Help your friends, but don’t expect anything immediately in return — good karma and a good rep will eventually come back to help you.”
On a Community Level: Women’s collectives such as SWDJs offer opportunities through community, networking, gigs, and volunteering. But maintaining inclusivity also falls on the members themselves. It’s crucial to uplift all voices — not just familiar faces.
On an Industry Level: Education around femme-inclusive spaces is essential because misconceptions and gaps still exist, even within these communities. Outsiders should know this isn’t about anger or excluding allies: “As long as they clearly understand the guidelines… they are welcome to attend.” – Lysn. Another misconception is that all-women spaces alone solve safety challenges. While they provide a safer foundation, true safety requires ongoing attention.
Femme curated spaces set the tone and see impact quickly—getting earnest feedback rarely available in mainstream spaces. This unique advantage helps women highlight industry gaps, tackle challenges, and collectively advance their careers. The Bass n Babes x Support Women DJs collab showcased the impact of femme-forward organizations. Continuing to push these spaces forward requires support from entrepreneurs, creatives, educators, and allies to thrive.
“Raves are for everyone… Raves are about freedom, joy, and love—anything less than that goes against the foundations of the scene as a whole.” – Lex Looper
