New York City’s nightlife is having a moment, and it’s impossible to ignore the electric pulse running through its veins this fall. From glam-rock anthems that demand self-love to DJ sets that rewrite the rules of the dance floor, the city’s creative energy is on full display. Two recent releases—Tony & The Kiki’s explosive single “B.N.T.” and DJPT’s genre-bending mix for PAPER Magazine’s The Tear series—offer a window into the diverse, boundary-pushing spirit making NYC nights unforgettable in 2025.
On September 5, Tony & The Kiki unveiled “B.N.T.,” their third single from the upcoming EP Fornication Under The Consent of Queens. The track, featuring the fierce guitar work of Josephine Network, is a glam-rock anthem tailor-made for the digital era. As described by PAPER Magazine, “B.N.T.” is a Technicolour fantasia; Tony’s vocals, described as “diamond-encrusted,” are laced with unmistakable New York attitude. The lyrics don’t pull any punches: “I’m the good witch, it seems it’s all bubble and dreams, but baby, don’t forget this bitch is from Queens… Bitch.” It’s a bold declaration—one that feels like a battle cry for anyone who’s ever needed a reminder to love themselves and shake off the haters.
Josephine Network’s guitar “shredding ignites the track,” colliding with Tony & The Kiki’s bouncy, melodic hooks to create what the band calls “a cyclone of energy that’s impossible to resist.” The song’s message is clear: it’s your post-breakup battle cry, your drive-time adrenaline, your ultimate self-love and a “Screw you!” to anyone who ever doubted you. “B.N.T. is a middle finger with a red stiletto manicure, stacked in rings and tattooed sigils,” Tony told PAPER. “And Josephine Network shredding on this track? Total fire. I stan her completely.”
The music video, directed by Dylan Mars Greenberg and shot on Super 8 and VHS, is as visually striking as the song itself. It’s a riot of bad-girl glam, NYC grit, and vintage rock magic—a perfect visual match for the track’s high-octane sound. Rodney, another member of the band, summed it up: “This is pure rock ‘n’ roll, electric hooks, pounding piano, Josephine shredding, and a hook that screams: love yourself, you are art!”
But Tony & The Kiki’s story is about more than just one song. After a three-year hiatus, the band has returned with a vengeance, quickly rising through the ranks of the city’s music scene. Their performances have lit up the stages of World Pride DC, Pittsburgh Pride, Brooklyn Pride, and NYC Pride, earning them fans among music legends like Foreigner, Cyndi Lauper, Celine Dion, and Lady Gaga. Tony’s guest appearance with Brian Newman—Lady Gaga’s celebrated band leader—at the infamous NYC club The Box for the AFTER DARK series further cemented their reputation for electrifying, show-stopping performances. Their journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the magic that happens when you bring your authentic self to the stage.
Meanwhile, just as Tony & The Kiki are redefining glam-rock for a new era, DJPT (Petey Avila) is shaking up the city’s dance floors with a mix that refuses to play by the old rules. On the same day as “B.N.T.” dropped, PAPER Magazine released the latest installment of The Tear, their mix series spotlighting NYC’s most innovative DJs. DJPT’s contribution is a dense, unpredictable “bramble of contrasting rhythms, textures and massive sonic swings,” a world away from the repetitive four-on-the-floor beats that often dominate club nights.
“A bit less four-on-the-floor, please!” DJPT quipped to PAPER, expressing a hope for more adventurous programming in NYC nightlife. True to his word, his mix is a thrilling churn—percussive, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. It begins with the quiet purr of percussion and quickly explodes into a collage of ballroom, reggaeton, acid-hued synths, and even a hyperdrive edit of Tyla’s “IS IT.” The result is a soundscape that inspires bodies to move in new ways, slinking and circling rather than marching in lockstep.
DJPT’s influences are deeply rooted in the city’s recent musical history. “This mix is heavily inspired by the club music I heard when I started going out here [in NYC] in 2016, tracks with a lot of character, rhythmic quirks and big bass,” he explained. There’s also a healthy dose of UK club sounds, which DJPT says have always been in conversation with New York’s nightlife. Structurally, he looked to the bold, vision-driven mixes of the mid-2010s for outlets like The FADER and DIS Magazine—mixes that prioritized a DJ’s unique sonic vision over maintaining a consistent energy. “Lots of big blends, not really background music. They definitely feel more adventurous than a lot of mixes do today.”
DJPT’s journey through NYC nightlife began in 2019, with a memorable first set at a Pride party at H0L0 alongside friends Sterling Juan Diaz and Sheher Preisler. “About 45 minutes into my closing set one of the CDJs emergency looped and none of us knew what was happening so we called it a night. Great party though!” he recalled with a laugh. His favorite NYC nightlife memory? Hearing LSDXOXO’s edit of “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” at China Chalet in 2016—a moment he describes as life-changing. “Still chasing that high to be honest.”
When asked about what makes NYC nightlife unique, DJPT admitted he hasn’t partied in many other cities, but he can’t imagine anywhere else striking the same balance between being “lit” and “creatively stimulating.” His hopes for the future are simple but pointed: “Respecting and booking the DJs and organizers who made this corner of New York what it is today. Taking risks on fresh talent. Money to keep good things going. More raves, less club nights. A beginner’s course on basic club etiquette. And a bit less four-on-the-floor, please!”
The Tear mix series, which has previously featured artists like TT, Nita Aviance, and DJ Miss Parker, is part of PAPER Magazine’s ongoing celebration of the DJs who keep New York City moving. By spotlighting artists like DJPT, the series captures the restless creativity and constant reinvention that define the city’s nightlife.
From the raucous, self-affirming glam of Tony & The Kiki to the genre-defying mixes of DJPT, NYC’s nightlife in 2025 is a testament to the city’s enduring ability to surprise, inspire, and unite. Whether you’re on the dance floor or belting out an anthem, there’s never been a better time to be part of the city that never sleeps.