A stage is set for you and me. To lose ourselves amongst the hues in a world of unknown rules, I only ask you to come as you are. This is the latest doctrine of the Manchester-based club night, Koma-oto. Embracing the unconventional, Koma continues to redefine itself as a contemporary club night, recognizing a gap present within the underground Manchester music scene. In search of an event that combines the sonic and atmospheric with the grittiness of UK club culture, Koma was borne.

Upon discovering Koma earlier this year, I was struck by the way the event aligned with Shumon Basar’s analysis of ‘Endcore’, an internet aesthetic responding to the collective sense that we have reached the end. Endcore embraces the omnipresence of dystopia within contemporary culture and the ways this can manifest as an aesthetic. Spaces like Koma evoke this by simultaneously paying homage to 90’s rave culture, foregrounding genres like gabber and hardcore, alongside carving out space for upbeat, melodic and futuristic vocals from a range of hyper-pop-inspired performers. The industrial and visceral sounds of gabber and hardcore alongside glitchy and surrealist live performers unravel expectations around what it means to be a traditional club night.

The myriad of ways Koma leans into relics of the past and future, sonically and aesthetically, creates an immersive club experience. Koma embodies the unique characteristics of Gen Z, where we attempt to recreate aspects of the past while simultaneously existing in an era of information oversaturated and technological advancement. Koma captures an ineffable experience of what it means to exist in the 2020s. The combination of these factors have resulted in the construction of a distinctive space within the Manchester (and global) experimental music scene where a range of subcultures coincide in this shared reality.

Looking back on the origins of the event, Abejisama, DJ and co-creator of Koma, reflects, “The entire concept started between myself and a friend in Japan. We realized that even though we were raised on different sides of the world, we still enjoyed similar things because of our connection through internet culture.” Koma has put on a range of nights in Japan, South Korea, and Manchester, preserving the distinct Koma-oto aesthetic and cultivating a strong following as a result. These cross-continent events have been live-streamed as a means of connection and shared experience continuing to reflect the origins of the club night. In a climate of hyper-individualism and increasing isolation, Koma’s ability to foster a sense of community across continents feels especially rare. In just 10 months, Koma has organized 15 global events, uncovering a unique selection of established and up-and-coming DJs. Most recently, Koma hosted a sold-out show at The White Hotel with the likes of Bod [包家巷], Ushko, and DJ Garage headlining. “The aim was to be at a venue like White Hotel 3 years from now,” says Abejisama, “to have already achieved that in less than a year is crazy.” Yet, amidst the increasingly impressive roster of performers, Koma retains a clear devotion to the community where it all began, with residents such as 777Gloe, Loveblade Novademise, and Neoleo being regular residents in rotation. “I owe a lot to my friends,” says Abejisama. “The friends I booked to DJ and perform have really put their whole soul into it.” These friendships are foundational to Koma, with Abejisama attributing the fast-paced success of the events to the consistent support and involvement of his immediate community. “It’s important to look towards the community that exists around you and feed into that,” an ethos that continues to remain at the core of Koma-oto.

Currently on hiatus after a slew of back-to-back events, Abejisama remains vague about the future plans of Koma-oto. Yet, it is evident that even as the event grows bigger, Koma will continue to explore memories of the past alongside niche aspects of internet culture. This leans into the inherently dystopian feeling of existing within the 21st century while simultaneously remaining a sanctuary, where you (Kom a)s you are.

Words by Abigail Tate @abigailtate_

Contributed to by @Abejisama

Photos by @midnightdancingcrew