Needs (not-for-profit) is a collective and record label who use dance music as a medium to give back, promoting harmony, togetherness and knowledge exchange through a range of different causes. Founded by Pleasure Club owner and fabric resident Bobby, their causes to date have supported mental health in aid of Mind, gender equality in aid of HeForShe, homelessness in aid of Crisis, and sustainability in aid of Cool Earth, with guests on wax and in person including Peggy Gou, Eris Drew, D. Tiffany, Telephones and Joe.
A year since their last fundraiser they return their focus to the environment, with a virtual panel discussion looking at sustainability in dance music in a post-Covid world, which we’re delighted to be partnering with. Panelists are assembled from Meadows in the Mountains, Clean Scene, Ecodisco, B.L.O.O.M, Poly and Village Underground.
The discussion takes place at 20:00-21:30 on Weds 16th Sep, via FB live stream. Attend the FB Event to be sent a link once it’s live.
Moderator: Kitty Bartlett
DJ as Kmya, co-founder of B.L.O.O.M., a Manchester and London collective that promotes gender equality in electronic music., and Ecodisco member.
Panelist: Benjamin Sasse
As co-founder of Meadows in the Mountains in Bulgaria, Benjamin has applied his civil engineer training to building one of Europe’s most environmentally conscious festivals. In early 2019, Benjamin left the construction industry to work full time with Extinction Rebellion and he has also founded grassroots live music venue Folklore in Hackney. His latest venture is a non profit eco-conscious education platform, Samo Terra, which brings together a collective of healers and teachers to spread permaculture knowledge, spirituality and alternative education practises.
Panelist: Hadi Ahmadzadeh
Specialising in reusable cup systems, Hadi co-founded the environmentally conscious party Tail & Twist, before launching Ecodisco as London’s first plastic-free party in June 2019, and growing it into a sustainable nightlife consultancy company, helping urban venues to “build back greener” . Hadi also works for climate action charity The Commitmen, which aims to speed up government action for a healthier planet.
Panelist: Saoirse
After spending four years in her native Ireland hosting The Plate radio show for leading broadcaster RTE, Saoirse relocated to London to start a residency on London’s Rinse FM. She’s used the station as a platform to transition to the global stage as a DJ, founder of the TRUST parties and regular partners alongside Shanti Celeste, Peach and Mixie for their star-studded b2b quartet.
Panelist: Eilidh McLaughlin
Glaswegian born, Berlin based environment and music industry professional, Eilidh has over 10 years experience working in the sustainability sector, primarily within engagement, behaviour change and project management. She is co-founder of Clean Scene, a carbon offsetting project for musicians in the dance music community, and works at POLY. Artists booking agency, also leading on their environmental strategy. She is currently in the process of setting up her own sustainability consultancy CREATIVE-SUSTAINABILITY, working with creatives to challenge climate breakdown.
Panelist: Jorge Nieto
Born in Colombia, Jorge Andres Nieto moved to London 10 years ago and since then has worked for booking agencies, artist management and has now been at Village Underground and EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) for almost 7 years.
Check our in-depth piece for more reading on sustainability in dance music:
Flying High, But At What Cost? The Environmental Footprint of DJs and Club Culture
Reflections: How can the Music Industry Learn from Covid-19 to Become More Sustainable?
