You’ve seen her in the rave, you’ve most definitely seen her on the socials. The rise of London based DJ, Savannah, has been something spectacular. From supporting Becky Hill on her tour – performing to 14,000 people – to her incoming sets at Hospitality Weekender and Andy C’s 2026 XOYO residency, Savannah’s roll-out mixes and her round the clock, highly infectious energy is quickly solidifying her in the circuit.
Don’t get it twisted though – Savannah is no stranger to the music industry. With 11 years of behind the scenes work under her belt, she’s a force to be reckoned with when it comes to knowing this modern era of music. Focusing on cultivating community and providing opportunities for others, her impact ranges from her work as Artist Developer for the MOBO Awards to her tenure as Co-Founder of We Are Impact (formerly TileyardImpact), where she facilitated the employment of 100+ individuals and provided work placements for over 220 people.
Savannah is dynamic, energetic and an utterly slick selector, but above all, she is a wonderful example of what it means to truly enjoy your job.
With sobriety showing her a new way of enjoying the rave, and with some exciting, career changing shows en route, it was time for us to dig deep on the finer, more juicy details.
You’ve been busy… Talk to me about some highlights.
Summer 2025 was amazing. I had a goal of playing three to four festivals and I ended up playing at twelve. Four times at Glastonbury. Rum Shack, Glades Bike at Mothership and Scissors, which was absolutely rammed! Lonely Hearts Club at Silver Hayes with the Mobo Unsung guys. I wasMia Kirkland’s DJ, it was an amazing experience. Four shows at Hospitality on the Beach, which went off. I went back to back with Selecta J Man, Dazee, Winslow and so many other incredible artists. It’s so nice because the year before I was looking at the stage thinking ‘I want to play on this stage, I want to go back to back with these artists’ then one of the Hospital crew pulled me up and said ‘Have you got your USB?’ And I said ‘Yes! Let’s go!’ So it was really great.
Amazing. You have grafted hard in the last year! Playing out loads, posting consistently on socials. What was the catalyst for really throwing yourself into things?
Again, it was supporting Becky Hill in Glasgow. All the love that I felt from all the ravers. It was just magical. Sobriety as well, now I’m sober, you tend to get a little bored. You need something to keep you busy. I’ve worked behind the scenes in music for about 11 years, and I just needed something different. Give me a challenge. I need to feel fulfilled. I wanted to feel whole, I wanted to express myself in different ways and DJing was that thing. I pretty much quit my full time job, I just threw myself out there and said ‘I’m doing this.’ And here I am.
You are open online about your sobriety. How has your life and work changed since going sober?
It’s changed so much. I have so much more focus. I feel like I have a greater appreciation for the music too. The only times you’ll see me out are if I know that I’ll really love the music or if I know I’m going to be surrounded by amazing company. I have had some bumps in the road, I have had some relapses, but I’m back on a good number again. It’s given me an extra drive, an extra push. I have so much more energy. Every time I go out, I go out with intention. I really connect with people now. I can really focus when I’m DJing too. There might be a little clang here and there but I’m only human. I feel so much more in connection with the dance floor and the atmosphere when I’m sober. It’s wicked. Especially doing all of those festivals back to back. I was working a lot at those too, stage managing or doing artist liaison, on top of DJing so many shows. There is no way I would’ve survived. I did four raves in one night recently, got home at 4am and I still had so much energy. Sobriety has helped financially, mentally and physically, so I definitely want to keep it going.
What helps motivate you when you’re surrounded by drink and drugs in the music industry?
I just dance! I dance my booty off. I drink my sparkling water, my ginger beer, my fanta, and I’m good to go. I go to the smoking area, have a little cigarette, then I’m back on the dance floor. You know, if I do feel like I’m tired, then I’m gone. If I’m not feeling the vibe, I’m gone. I’m not going to force the puzzle if it doesn’t fit. If I’ve done a show, I’ll always stay behind to say hi to people and have a little boogie but max one hour, then I’m gone. If I stay there longer, then I probably will want to get involved in stuff, so I just leave. That’s my true motivation.
Removing yourself from the situation. Do you have any other words of wisdom for people wanting to go sober?
I would say if you want to go out but you don’t want to go out by yourself, it’s always great to have a friend to be sober with you. A sober buddy. Also, why not just try it out for a couple of hours and if you’re not feeling it, try something else that fits your vibe. For me personally, it really damaged my personal life. It damaged my friendships, my relationships, my family, my finances, my health. I’m not someone that just has one drink, I stay up for days. So for the people that can go out and have one, go out and enjoy, but if you’re similar to me, sometimes it’s best to just take a step back from it. Which isn’t nice to say, because raving and going out is great, but for me, that’s where DJing comes in. It’s work at the end of the day. I’m going in and doing a job, but it’s a job that I absolutely love. That’s what has enabled me to still have these experiences. Find what works for you. All of the people that I went out with this weekend decided to be sober with me. It was so magical. Always have someone that can hold you accountable, and you can do the same for them, because it’s difficult. It’s so ingrained in our society. It’s part of rave culture.
You credit a few initiatives, movements and people for helping you with your journey. Is there anyone in particular that you’d like to shine a light on?
Dazee from Ruffneck Ting, she’s amazing. She really helped me at the start of my journey and is helping so many other female artists. She also helped me with producing, walked me through production and her techniques. Now I’m going to start making music, which is really exciting. There’s another up and coming artist called DJ Tianna Franxx who runs a small event called Teez, which is doing really well. Martha from Not Bad For a Girl too, she gave me my first ever 30 minute set in Manchester in 2023 and has helped so many FLINTA artists grind and seize opportunities. I feel like they’re really important because they shine a light on how women are treated, giving statistics and information on how people can help. They don’t just talk about it, they’re taking action. What I really love about them is that they make you realise it’s not about competition, it’s about collaboration. A lot of the large labels and events and people who have been running around grinding, they collaborate with each other. They don’t push against one another. Line ups are still very male dominated, it is what it is! But it is changing, slowly. Not Bad For a Girl create their own thing, which is setting a great example. It’s like ok, you’re not going to let me in here… well then I’ll create my own thing and build together. Collaboration not competition. There’s a piece of the pie for everybody.
Why are these movements/initiatives important for the music industry as a whole?
I feel like there are a lot of people who feel like they don’t have access or have a chance at getting their foot in the door, but in this day and age, there are so many incredible opportunities. Initiatives and collectives like Not Bad For a Girl, EQ50, Mothership Music and Hospital Records Women In Drum & Bass Production Mentorship show us that there are so many ways for us all to connect. Music is all about community and coming together. A lot of these things started from nothing and they’ve been around for a long time. You just have to be persistent and consistent. Get through the speed bumps and collaborate. It’s all about consistency.
Where do you think there is still work to be done?
More black queens behind the decks please! I’m seeing the dance floor become more diverse, which is fantastic. Obviously there are lots of amazing black artists already, but I’m hoping to see more black and FLINTA people to come out and do their thing. There are great people and initiatives doing the work towards this already. Amen Galdem, Sexy Lady Massive, Jolie P and so many more. Music is inclusive, music brings people together. I wish the way people were treated on the dancefloor was the way that people were treated out in the real world. When I’ve gone out, I’ve experienced racism, but when we’re on the dance floor, it all melts away.
You’re part of a new generation of DJs coming through, is there any advice you’d like to share with others wanting to take the plunge?
Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to post! There are videos that I’ve pinned to the top of my instagram that I cringe at now but I refuse to take them down because it showcases my personality and my work and who I am. It can be cringe but I like that. There’s so many people who are afraid of posting things because they think it might not sound good. I’m guilty of that. I’ll send a video to a friend and ask them if they think it sounds good. Post little clips, show you enjoying the music. Show up in person too! Show face. Build community. We have to stay connected. Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities either. So many people have closed doors or aired me or told me that this isn’t my time, and that’s ok! You just have to keep grinding. The only way people will know you’re active is if you’re posting. Your instagram and Tik Tok is your CV now. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and don’t be afraid to be you.
Catch Savannah Out & About
