DDF Blog: Q&A with Disco Neurotico's Byron Vincent

It’s not just a party. It’s a reimagining of nightlife: less pressure, more joy, no judgement. Whether you're neurodivergent, queer, sober-curious, or just looking for a night out that actually feels good, Disco Neurotico is your kind of rave.

The night features a silent disco, board games, video games, a guided warm-up (totally optional), a crafting area, calm and recovery spaces, a doodling wall, and plenty more to explore.

We all had the same questions as you might have about this unique event. So, we sat down with founder Byron Vincent, artist, performer, raver, and proud ADHDer with lived experience of autism and PTSD, to get the full story.

Read on, get inspired, and grab your ticket while you can. We’ll see you on the dancefloor!

Can you tell us a little bit about Disco Neurotico and what inspired you to create it?

Disco Neurotico was born of a deep and personal revelation: that the outside world doesn’t have to be a sensory assault course. I spent years enjoying nightlife the way a moth enjoys a lit match: compulsively, and almost always culminating in burnout. I loved the music and the sense of transcendence – but I also kept having to hide in the toilets of sticky venues at 3am, not quite understanding why. After being diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and PTSD (which sounds like the worst law firm in history), the pieces clicked. So, I asked a radical question: what if clubbing didn’t have to be a gladiatorial sensory free-for-all? What if we kept the good bits, made the problematic bits more accessible, and added some extra stuff for those of us who struggle? Disco Neurotico is that thought experiment come to life: a neurodivergent-friendly club night, part dance party, part social experiment, part social gaming club for adults who have struggled or felt marginalised in traditional club spaces.

How have your own experiences shaped the way you reimagine nightlife through Disco Neurotico?

Every element of Disco Neurotico has a direct line back to some past moment of discomfort. The silent disco headphones? For all the times I’ve wanted to immediately escape auditory overwhelm. The UV doodle wall and board games? That’s 19-year-old me, lingering awkwardly off the dancefloor, desperate to connect but with zero socially acceptable structures in place for someone wired like me to do that without it turning into a cringe-fest. The calm space. Because as much as I once found catharsis in a strobe-lit warehouse, I need regular moments to just sit somewhere nice to recharge my batteries and regulate myself. Essentially, I’ve spoken to lots of neurodivergent and anxious clubbers, and with the help of an amazing team, we’ve taken all our worst nights out and reverse-engineered them into something beautiful, inclusive, and weirdly therapeutic.

What makes this club night different from a typical night out — what can people expect when they arrive?

First, expect information. When I go out, I want to know exactly what I’m getting into, so we offer as much info as possible pre-event on our website and Instagram. You should also have access to either a physical or digital orientation pack with a map of the venue telling what is where and how noisy each area is likely to be. You can arrive early to acclimatise to the space, if need be. There will also be a non-compulsory physical warm-up for people who want a gentle, structured access to the dance floor. This will be hosted by our amazing playmaker-in-chief Simone French, whose job it is to keep the vibe alive on the dancefloor.

Wear what you like: ballgown, pyjamas, cosplay, drag – whatever you’re most comfortable in. We try to create a space designed not to overwhelm, but to offer options. Fancy a dance? Great. Want to sit quietly and do arts and crafts like it’s Year 3 but with UV-reactive beads and great tunes? Great.

You even have a choice of DJs – our silent disco kit has three channels. We have two DJs always playing simultaneously; the third channel is ambient noise. Our DJ line-ups are of the quality you’d find at any international club event. We pride ourselves on our programming.

We strive for a safe and inclusive environment with a zero-tolerance harassment policy. Some people attend alone, others in groups; some dance all night, others get engrossed in gaming.

In short, we’ve got you. It's not about “one size fits all”. It's about “here’s a night that might actually fit you.” We cater to the often uncatered-for. It’s nightlife with consent, comfort, and the quiet possibility of connection on your own terms

Community and connection are a huge part of the event. How has the response from audiences surprised or moved you?

I’ve had people say that our night “feels like coming home.” I’ve had multiple people tell me that we are their first clubbing experience. Neurotypical people bring their neurodivergent friends and tell us they never thought they’d be able to go clubbing with their neurodivergent friend/relative/partner. People have told me it’s their first night out in years and the only event they feel safe attending. I’ve had punters say, “I didn’t think clubbing could be for someone like me.” Every time I hear these stories, it wrecks me – partly because it’s all so relatable, but mostly because it affirms that we’re doing something needed, something special. We’re taught that the dancefloor is survival of the coolest, but actually – it can be, and should be, a site of mutual care, solidarity, and belonging. It should feel like coming home, and that’s the vibe we strive for.

If someone feels nervous about coming to a club night, what would you say to encourage them to experience Disco Neurotico?

I’d say: your nervousness is not a barrier – it’s your invitation. This night was literally designed with people like you in mind. You won’t be judged, jostled. You’ll be welcomed and left to enjoy the night on your own terms. You don’t have to dance, or talk, or even stay long. But if you come, you might just find a version of nightlife that finally makes sense - one where you can be your gloriously apprehensive self and still have a banging time. Come as you are. And if that doesn’t put you at ease, contact us through the Disco Neurotico website or Instagram. Set up a Zoom call. Talk to me or a member of the team, and we’ll do our very best to answer any questions.

Disco Neurotico will take place at Project Arts Centre on Wed, 21 May 2025 at 7:30PM.

Disco Neurotico is more than a club night – it's a love letter to the ones who never felt like nightlife was built for them. Whether you want to rave, recharge, connect, or just quietly exist in a space where you're completely welcome, this night is yours.

Come dance with us. Or doodle. Or game. Or just be!

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