UTOPIA Talks

Aluna is behind some of the most iconic dance tracks of all time, so we’re incredibly excited to share this week’s episode. Ten years on from Body Music, Aluna opens up about her time in AlunaGeorge, how she found her way to dance music and what barriers she has faced as a Black woman. We also chat about her new album, her collective Noir Fever, which centers Black and LGBTQ+ people, and the roots...

Few people can claim to have a deeper understanding of the music industry than Låpsley, who has worked as an artist, a producer and a songwriter, over a career spanning the last decade. This episode she tells her story, from blowing up on Soundcloud as a teenager, to making three incredible albums and working with artists like KC Lights, Charli XCX and Barry Can’t Swim. She explains her artistic p...

Over the last few months sim0ne has exploded onto the scene! This episode, we hear about her journey so far - from working on the cash desk at Fly Open Air and doing seasons in Ibiza to playing at DC10 and creating the perfect viral HÖR set. We also discuss the process behind her Lana Del Rey remix (which has received millions of streams on Soundcloud and an official release from Lana herself!), w...

This week we are joined by one of the UK's most popular DJs. On a rare Friday night when he’s not touring, DJ Seinfeld is in the studio to discuss his new track with Confidence Man and to give us a taste of what to expect from his new album!  We also dive into the early days of his DJ career, including how he learnt to mix from YouTube tutorials whilst on his first tour and being pigeonholed...

This episode Jaguar is joined by her dear friend and DJ superstar, Heléna Star. Heléna recently revealed at Gala Festival that she is expecting a baby in October, so she’s giving the low down on exactly what life has been like as a pregnant DJ - including what it was like to play in Panorama Bar whilst expecting and why she thinks it’s so vital to challenge stigmas around pregnancy. She’s also dis...

This week we’re catching up on Body Movements, discussing the new Drumsheds venue which is coming to IKEA Tottenham and we’re talking about HAAi’s new Padam Padam remix!  We’re also introducing our new feature ‘hot takes’ where we hear your spiciest opinions - this week we decide whether DJs have let their egos get too big and we talk about the most insane things people have put on their ride...

Pretty Girl is a DJ, producer, vocalist, songwriter and live electronic artist - and this week she is joining us for a very special interview! We get into the inspiration behind her hugely successful track Sun Phase and her latest EP One Night, One Time, we celebrate her headline live show in Phonox and she shares which UK artists she’s been collaborating with since arriving in London…  She a...

As part of season 3 we want to bring you something slightly different and give you some of our thoughts on what’s happening right now in dance music! This week we discuss whether Peggy Gou has stolen from other producers to make her new single, we talk about Chris Lake being dragged online and we get into a hilarious story from an illegal rave. Plus, we discuss K Bax’s recent trip to Berlin and ho...

This week we come to you from The International Music Summit in Ibiza! Jaguar sits down with one of her heroes, Grimes, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming music and whether artists should be worried about it. The pair also talk about copyright and why it can limit art, Grimes opens up about her infamous Boiler Room set, Elf. Tech and her forthcoming music! Hosted by Jaguar @jag...

Lagoon Femshayma joins Jaguar to talk about his iconic Boiler Room, why he loves drag and how he deals with negative comments and homophobia. He also talks about why we all have some unlearning to do, opens up about the progress he’s seen during his career and offers some advice for other queer people working in nightlife. @jaguarworldwide Produced by Katie Baxter @katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. S...

This episode, Jaguar speaks to Kiimi, one of our favourite artists here at UTOPIA Talks. As well as releasing their own music, Kiimi is also the founder of Hunni Sound, a network for women, non-binary and trans creatives in music and sound production. Here, Kiimi talks about why they created Hunni Sound, how you can get involved and what the industry should be doing to support upcoming DJs and pro...

In episode two of Under The Lights, we hear from some of the biggest names in UK dance music, including Annie Mac, who offers her opinion on how the industry needs to change, and The Blessed Madonna, who opens up about their gender identity. We also hear from TAAHLIAH, who shares her experiences as a trans woman carving out a highly successful career and salute, who has made a big change to help p...

Last year, Jaguar set up The Jaguar foundation with Sony Music and produced the first ever report exploring gender disparity in UK dance music. In this documentary, you will hear a unique insight into the notoriously mysterious, and male dominated, world of dance music, through the lens of women, trans and non-binary artists. This episode, we hear from two DJs who have experienced a physical assau...

UTOPIA Talks returns on Wednesday 8th March with a two part documentary exploring the experiences of women, trans and non-binary artists in UK dance music. Jaguar examines the world of club culture, scrutinising safety, representation and inclusivity, with guests including Annie Mac, The Blessed Madonna, Girls Don't Sync, TAAHLIAH. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the season one finale, Jaguar is joined by Fabio - one of the founding fathers of jungle and Niks, an upcoming DJ who founded The Black Artist Database last year. They’re discussing their experiences in the industry, why the MOBOs should include a dance music category and the impact of George Floyd’s murder on the world. There’s also an in depth conversation about the whitewashing of dance mus...

This episode explores the treatment of vocalists working in dance music. Many singers aren’t credited when they sing on tracks or when their voices are sampled - sometimes even for tracks they’ve written themselves. Many artists haven’t seen their fair share of the profits for number ones and club classics that they’ve powered. This episode is a conversation between Becky Hill, Rowetta and Angie B...

In the last few years, as right wing ideologies have spread and politicians have become increasingly homophobic, the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in Poland has worsened, but the underground dance music community is fighting back. In this episode, we hear from Warsaw based producer and DJ, Avtomat. He discusses his arrest, why he is determined to keep protesting and why he carries tear gas everywhere...

In part two, Jaguar, Sherelle, Mary-Anne Hobbs and Judy Griffith are tackling some of the music industry’s biggest problems, including racism and sexism. There’s also an in-depth discussion about the whitewashing of dance music, handling abuse on social media, and Sherelle shares some of her goals for her brand new label, Beautiful. If you missed part one, make sure you check it out. Produced by K...

In part 1 of our women in music special, our guests share their journeys so far. Sherelle is revealing how she went from doing community radio at London's Reprezent to becoming one of the most exciting DJs in recent years, whilst Mary-Anne Hobbs is giving us the incredible story of how she made her way onto BBC Radio 1 and established herself as one of the most recognisable and respected voices in...

The dance music community was rocked last year by the jailing of Sama’, who was accused of DJing on holy ground in Palestine. On today’s episode, Sama’ joins us from her home in Palestine to open up about the arrest, what her hopes are for the future and how she’s paving the way for techno fans across Palestine and beyond. She also tells Jaguar about how her viral Boiler Room (which has been viewe...

On today’s episode, three DJs at different stages of their sobriety journey are speaking candidly about their experiences, including their tips for quitting alcohol and drugs, how it’s transformed their lives and what changes they’d like to see in the music industry and beyond. Please be aware that this episode contains discussions about addiction, drugs, mental health and self harm. If you are st...

During lockdown, Queer House Party attracted global attention with their online Zoom parties. As the world is beginning to unlock and they're transitioning into in-person events, they're determined to make changes to our dance floors. On this episode, Harry & Nik share their journey so far, how we can make the nightlife industry more accessible and why they’re sick of corporations ruining Prid...

Back in May, Jaguar played at The First Dance - the first government sanctioned rave to take place since the COVID pandemic began in 2019. She recorded a load of exclusive interviews on this historic night, which we’re sharing here for the very first time! Plus, Jaguar is joined in the studio by Heidi and we hear from Effy, Jess Bays and the nightlife industry about the impact of the four week del...

Thank you for listening to the UTOPIA Talks trailer. Look out for our first episode on Wednesday 30th June, which features exclusive audio from The First Dance in Liverpool - the first legal rave to take place in the UK since the coronavirus pandemic. The show includes interviews with Heidi, The Blessed Madonna, Jayda G and more! We’ll also be reflecting on the government’s decision to push back t...