My fairyland. There were so few for me growing up. Icons laughed at, stereotypes de-sexualised, trailblazers trolled, protestors attacked. Only on TOTP did I find my tribe, my salvation, my pop fairyland. The souls like me, hiding in plain sight, served in my Essex big room, as my mum yelled at me to lay the fucking table for our tea, but Frankie said relax, and … Continue reading I know them, I know them: Tom Walker’s Fairyland
So it turns out that when a lesbian tells a story, they TELL a story. Thankfully, when that story is being told by a total scene legend and absolute scene queen, Michelle Manetti, everyone is up for the extended remix. These stories need to be told; these stories made them what they are today: DJ, promoter, producer, remixer, campaigner, mutha. All this and more await … Continue reading Watch: Michelle Manetti in conversation
Sound Affects is a night of talks about music and subcultures, ideas around how sound affects us and how music changes the world. Hearing from writers, musicians, artists, superfans, photographers, filmmakers and everyday music lovers, we dive into personal stories, esoteric bands, fan communities, punk, pop, social change and much more. It’s organised and hosted by journalist and documentary filmmaker Jak Hutchcraft. Guest speakers:Michael Cragg has been … Continue reading Sound Affects #44: Wildblood & Queenie, Richard Evans, Michael Cragg
I have a claim to DJ fame that always brings the grin. Michelle Manetti was once my go-go dancer. It was a long time ago. The music was different. The dance moves different. The hairdos were very different. As was Michelle. The determination in the soul of our Michelle was declared. There for all to see. Now as then, focused on making the dancefloor a … Continue reading Let there be dykes: how the dancefloors of Brighton made a DJ pioneer. In conversation with Michelle Manetti
Sound Affects is a night of talks about music and subcultures, how sound affects us and how music changes the world. Hearing from writers, musicians, artists, superfans, photographers, filmmakers and everyday music lovers, we dive into personal stories, esoteric bands, fan communities, punk, pop, social change and much more. It’s organised and hosted by journalist and documentary filmmaker Jak Hutchcraft. Guest speakers:Wildblood & Queenie – … Continue reading Sound Affects #36: Verb T, Wildblood & Queenie & more TBC
Queer Heritage South: Live Archive is excited to present a community workshop to discuss, encourage, and foster lesbian inclusion in archives and heritage in the city. We aim to have four standalone events throughout 2026, starting with Lesbian Strength: Lesbian campaigning and the role of lesbians in change. Join Community Champion and Brighton’s own LGBTQIA+ pioneer Kate Wildblood for a Queer Heritage South: Live Archive … Continue reading Brighton’s Lesbian Strength Days: campaigning and more
So this is a first – us and our Arnie as cover stars. Yes, for some reason, our mugs have been deemed suitable enough to help launch the return of the all-new print edition of Scene Magazine here in Brighton and Hove. A LGBTQ+ History Month special that centres on the politics of memory — who is written into history, who is erased, and why … Continue reading Oooo look! Cover life with Scene Magazine
Ibiza, September 2000. Our first time on the White Isle. Lene’s island tours and Christopher’s local characters. Café con leche and cerveza, nuddy beaches and the never-ending blushes. Hotel Cenit and breaking the beds. Kittens in the sand and drives around the Aleppo pines. Pan and jamon, sticky seaweed and the beauty of Benirras’ bongos. Longed for paella and perfect sunsets. And asking ourselves as … Continue reading Ibiza 2000
I wrote a blog for Queer Heritage South about our Candy Bar Brighton years. A reflection of an epic lesbian scene moment in which we played a small part – 12″s and all. Which is nice. There are photos and memories and name checks and things. The memories may be a little blurry, the tunes a little less banging nowadays, but the Candy connections we … Continue reading The Candy Bar Brighton Years 2001-08
10 Marine Parade matters. A building filled with love and emotions and the best of people, its basslines and disco high hats have kept us safe and dancing for as long as Queenie and I can remember. A building at the heart of the queer community that has always delivered the goods – be it Brighton Pride weekend, Horse Meat Disco, DTPM, Brighton Gay Dance … Continue reading 10 years of Patterns: Brighton’s must-dance disco deviant
