BLEND 001: Diversity and Inclusion On And Off The Dancefloor

On January 28, 2025, CROP Radio and GLOSS MCR launched BLEND, a new panel talk series aimed at connecting, collaborating, and fostering meaningful conversations within Manchester's vibrant music scene and beyond. The first BLEND event, held at Stage & Radio, focused on the critical topic of diversity and inclusion, both on and off the dancefloor.

The Radio Room at Stage & Radio was filled with engaged attendees from both inside and outside the Manchester music community. The evening provided a platform for insightful conversation, community engagement, and educational discourse.

Hosted by Tyron Webster (GLOSS MCR), the first set of panellists included Oriki, Strutty, KURLZ (ROJAK), and The Fat Britney. Each panellist contributed their unique perspective, drawing upon their lived experience of hosting, playing and attending music events within Manchester’s music scene.

The panellists explored a range of topics, including gender, sexuality, and accessibility, all within the context of creating inclusive spaces in dance music culture. Central to the discussion were themes around removing barriers, whether financial, mental or physical, in order to build a more diverse and inclusive scene within our city. All proceeds from the night went towards Mermaids UK, a charity supporting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse young people and their families since 1995.

Stay tuned for future BLEND events, which will continue to explore fresh topics and feature new voices, all while supporting important causes. BLEND's mission is to bridge ideas and people, sparking discussions that inspire change and leave a lasting impact on local and worldwide dance music culture.

If you missed the event or want to relive the experience, the full recording is available on CROP Radio's YouTube channel HERE.