Written by: Moli Gross

Babestock wasn’t just a music festival, it was a full-blown babe-powered takeover. Hosted at the iconic “they” bar Cheer Up Charlies in Austin, Texas, this glitter-drenched gathering was a celebration of femme energy, queer joy, and the magic of building your own stage when the world won’t hand you one.

As the city pulsed with the energy of the “No Kings” protests, ravers showed up straight from the streets—signs in hand, hearts on fire, and ready to turn resistance into rhythm. Babestock became the afterparty of the revolution, a space where the message was loud and clear: first we fight, then we dance. Because raving has always been political. It’s about reclaiming joy, taking up space, and celebrating the communities that fight hardest to be seen.

In a music industry where only 32% of DJs identify as women, Babestock flipped the script. It wasn’t about waiting for a seat at the table, it was about building a whole new stage. This festival was a living, breathing example of what happens when babes take the reins and curate a space that reflects their values: inclusivity, creativity, and community.

Babestock didn’t just entertain, it empowered. It reminded us that the dance floor can be a battleground and a sanctuary all at once. It showed us that when babes come together, we don’t just party—we build something bigger.

💖 So how do we keep the Babeverse growing? Here are 3 tips for building more inclusive rave spaces:

1. Create Your Own Stage
Don’t wait for permission. Whether it’s a backyard set or a full-blown festival, start where you are. Inclusion starts with intention—and a killer playlist.

2. Curate Your Community
Book femme, queer, and gender-diverse artists. Promote them. Pay them. Celebrate them like the headliners they are.

3. Make Safety a Vibe
Inclusivity means more than a lineup. Think gender-neutral bathrooms, harm reduction booths, and zero tolerance for hate. Safety is sexy.

Babestock was more than a party, it was a sanctuary. A reminder that being a babe means showing up, standing up, and lifting others as you rise. It was a space where everyone was welcome, everyone was celebrated, and everyone danced like they belonged—because they did.

So here’s to the babes. The ones who build, who rave, who resist, and who love out loud. Babestock was for you. And it was everything.