I know what to do when it comes to being a proud aunt. The rules are there, the roles played, the kids are alright. Year after year impressing as they grow, ensuring my heart pumps with pride over and over and over. As for the souls from our disco family of DJs, promoters, artists and performers, pride has a different but equally important role. Watching them blossom as they bounce forward filled with plans and ambition, love and dedication, principles and passions. Those early dancefloor days, disco dramas and DJ box moments contributing to the stars they have become, days always a joy to relive, retell and rejoice in.

And why this warm glowing feeling on a grey winter’s day? Michelle Manetti that’s why. A Boiler Room debut that had me welling as the soul I watched raise herself up so she could raise others with her passion and determination and pure bloody talent comes to fruition. A queer icon who’s connection to our LGBTQIA+ community has ensured so many have shone alongside her, this celebration of our queer scene via the Boiler Room is a vital chapter Queenie and I are so proud to have played a tiny, tiny, tiny part in. Back in the day backing Manetti’s way as they began to fly. A Candy queen who became a Dalston legend, Michele you’ve made Queenie and me, your queer disco aunts so proud. You did sweetpea, you did it.