Unorthodox Events, a trailblazing event organiser in the world of Drum & Bass, tonight hold their biggest show to date, set to take place at the illustrious East London Colour Factory. This event marks a significant milestone in their journey from hosting small, sit-down raves during lockdown to becoming a major player in the music and queer community. Unorthodox Events’ rise to prominence illustrates the transformative power of music and its capacity to foster and support a thriving queer community within Drum & Bass.
Through their events, Unorthodox Events has provided a platform for queer DJs, producers, and artists to showcase their talents and share their stories. This not only amplifies queer voices within the Drum & Bass scene but also serves as an inspiration for others who may have felt marginalised or overlooked.
Unorthodox Events’ commitment to inclusivity extends beyond the stage. They have implemented a strict anti-discrimination policy and have cultivated a diverse and supportive audience that embraces people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. By doing so, they have cultivated a sense of belonging and empowerment within the queer community, demonstrating that Drum & Bass can be a space where everyone is welcome.
We caught up with some of the artists who work closely with Unorthodox and asked them what the brand means to them.
Pinks
Unorthodox has had a huge part to play in my journey as a queer person. I joined the brand in 2021 after connecting with Nathan X during the second lockdown and actually came out on Unorthodox’s radio show. This year my parents came to our London Pride takeover which was their first Pride and particularly special for me as London Pride was the first Pride I went to. To say the brand means a lot to me would be an understatement! It’s been incredible to be a part of the journey in creating a space which was well overdue in the d&b scene.
VXRGO
Unorthodox has provided a much needed safe rave space for queer, trans, non-binary people and many more that are part of the LGBTQ+ community. They’re unapologetically open about booking and representing more people from this community which I really admire because it’s not something we see much in the scene, even though this community has a part to play in where the scene stems from, with acid house, garage (Paradise Garage), disco, etc and the people who’d attend those parties. I feel like Unorthodox could be our modern day, British Paradise Garage.
B-Complex
Unorthodox is quintessential rave culture, bereft of judgement, empowering everyone to be themselves and have fun unapologetically, it’s fresh air of core values, love peace and unity! Promoting d&b music into circles unheard before, and giving exposure to people rarely seen at the d&b stages and dancefloors.
Bugwell
Unorthodox is such a special movement, it really brings to d&b what it has been missing so far. With d&b typically being such a macho genre, it has not really been a place for queer people to feel comfortable and be themselves. I feel totally at home at Unorthodox events and am super excited for the progress that is happening for queer people in the scene.
Nathan X
We’re about to hold our biggest show to date: from humble beginnings, a small 50 cap sit-down rave in the lockdown to the mighty East London Colour Factory, this proves the power of music and that there’s truly a thriving queer community within drum and bass.
