Numbers rarely lie. Many corners of the global club scene are in serious trouble, and it has nothing to do with the pandemic recovery or battle to save venues from a worldwide push to redevelop our cities.
Simply put, for all the posturing around respect, unity, and open-mindedness, many events, promoters, and the crowds packing their dancefloors, are failing on inclusivity. Taking in responses from more than 2,300 party people across four continents, a new survey found 1/3 reported experiencing some form of prejudice while attending a dance music event.
Perhaps more distressingly, 84% said they witnessed it happen to others. The figures are worrisome enough for Ballantine’s True Music to establish a new six-figure fund to help support those working to establish or secure safe spaces, and platform those most at risk of exclusion.
A number of key faces from the electronic music scene have been drafted to spearhead this conversation. Each has been given £10,000 and asked to select an organisation working for real equality in dance music to take the money. Honey Dijon is one of the names tasked with choosing a recipient and pushing the project forward. Suffice to say, few people are better qualified for the role.
The Chicago-born transgender DJ and producer spent her formative years in the Windy City under the tutelage of luminaries Derrick Carter, Mark Farina and crossover outfit Greenskeepers. Relocating to New York in the late-1990s only added to her musical influences, and did nothing to change a fundamental understanding of what makes a good party. And by that we mean great tunes, from golden-era disco and stomping house to motoring techno, and an open-armed welcome for anyone who wants to get involved.