Change the Beat marked its London debut at fabric on Thursday 15th October 2026, bringing more than 40 artists, industry leaders and organisations together for a 12-hour programme built around access, opportunity and representation in electronic music.
The global non-profit, which supports women and gender expansive artists, ran industry panels, networking, the Women Who Shaped Electronic Music photo exhibition and a club night in fabric’s Main Room. Artists, labels, agencies, promoters and organisations shared the building, with the programme set up to pass on knowledge, build relationships and open new routes into the industry.
Founder Sydney Blu called the fabric date a monumental moment. “It was incredible to share what we’ve built with a city that has such a rich history in electronic music, and to see so many people come together to learn, connect, celebrate the women who paved the way, and dance to incredible music,” she said. She described the day as three experiences in one: an industry conference, a celebration of pioneering women, and a club night with a line-up of female talent. “The response from London was overwhelming, and we’re already looking ahead to 2027. We can’t wait to come back!”
Hosted by Sunita Dhaliwal of The Everyday Agency, the daytime programme ran three panels on the practical side of building a career in electronic music. The sessions covered how to get booked as a DJ in London, how to get signed to an A-list dance label, and how to secure management and agency representation.
The panels drew in Alex Holland (Broadwick Live), Martha Bolton (Not Bad For A Girl), Pete Jordan (Junction 2 and LWE), Steven Braines (HE.SHE.THEY), Andy Henderson (Southern Fried and Knee Deep In Sound), Chris Goss (Hospital Records), Miles Shackleton (Toolroom), Daniel Curpen (Anjunadeep), Frances Shillito (Night Department), Kal Jhugroo (CAA), Shanae Dennis (The Team) and Lucy Harrower (Frame Artists). Katie Knight, Sydney Blu and Finlay Johnson moderated. Pete Jordan’s Junction 2 has its own long association with the venue, including a fabric collaboration at Boston Manor Park this summer.
After the panels, the Women Who Shaped Electronic Music exhibition recognised 18 pioneering artists: ANNA, Annie Mac, Crystal Waters, DJ Minx, DJ Paulette, DJ Rap, Eli & Fur, Honey Dijon, Ida Engberg, Lottie, Lisa Lashes, Maya Jane Coles, Nicole Moudaber, Sam Divine, Sister Bliss of Faithless, Smokin Jo, Superjane and Ultra Naté. Sister Bliss remains at the helm of Faithless, whose live return has kept the act on major UK stages.
The day closed with a club night in fabric’s Main Room, with performances from TSHA, Kitty Amor, Sydney Blu, Emily Nash and N1NJA. TSHA has been a regular on UK electronic bills in recent years, including Labyrinth, Field Day, Junction 2 and Parklife. Putting the conversations about access and representation into the club itself was the point of the night.
Proceeds from the club night will go to Change the Beat’s international artist development programme, which offers education, mentorship and opportunities for women and gender expansive artists. The organisation is working towards a pledge to support 300 artists in securing label opportunities by 2028.
The London debut was supported by AlphaTheta’s EQUAL BEATS initiative, Pete Tong DJ Academy, Toolroom Academy, Pointblank Music School, Crossfader, Beatport, AFEM, HE.SHE.THEY, The Everyday Agency, Not Bad For A Girl and Women in Music UK.
Sydney Blu founded the organisation in 2021 as 23by23, with support from Native Instruments and in partnership with Beatport. It has since grown into an international artist development platform with a community of more than 1,200 members, spanning education, mentorship, workshops, masterclasses, showcases and live events across the UK, US, Canada and Europe. Alumni have released music with Armada, Drumcode, Anjunadeep, Anjunabeats, Toolroom, Insomniac Records, HE.SHE.THEY, Dirtybird, mau5trap and REALM.
Blu has released on mau5trap, Drumcode, Truesoul, HE.SHE.THEY, Knee Deep In Sound, Desert Hearts, Circus Recordings and Universal Music across a 25-year career. She was the first woman to achieve a solo number one overall release on Beatport, and later received a JUNO Award nomination for Electronic Album of the Year. Change the Beat has won the Beatport Parity Prize for nonprofit excellence in dance music, and was nominated for Organisation of the Year by Women in Music Canada in 2024.
Further global events are due to be announced throughout 2027. More information is on the Change the Beat website.
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