Change the Beat Celebrates London Debut At fabric Uniting Industry Leaders & Marking A Key Milestone In Its International Growth
Change the Beat, the global music non-profit dedicated to supporting women and gender expansive artists in electronic music, celebrated its London debut at fabric on Thursday 15th October, 2026, bringing together more than 40 artists, industry leaders and organisations to create greater access, opportunities and representation for artists across the electronic music industry.
Spanning 12 hours, the event brought together industry panels, networking, the Women Who Shaped Electronic Music photo exhibition and a club night in fabric’s Main Room. Bringing artists, labels, agencies, promoters and organisations together under one roof, the programme created opportunities to share knowledge, build relationships and explore new pathways into the electronic music industry.
Sydney Blu, Founder, Change the Beat comments:
“Bringing Change The Beat to fabric London was a monumental moment for our organisation. 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.
We brought three experiences together in one event: an industry conference, a celebration of the pioneering women who shaped electronic music, and a club night featuring an incredible line-up of female talent. It was a truly special moment for our community and a major milestone for Change The Beat. 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 featured three panels exploring the practical realities of building a career in electronic music. Covering 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 sessions delivered insightful and informative discussions on navigating the industry, offering practical advice and valuable perspectives from professionals working across each area.
The panels brought together professionals from across the electronic music landscape, including Alex Holland of Broadwick Live, Martha Bolton of Not Bad For A Girl, Pete Jordan of Junction 2 and LWE, Steven Braines of HE.SHE.THEY, Andy Henderson of Southern Fried and Knee Deep In Sound, Chris Goss of Hospital Records, Miles Shackleton of Toolroom, Daniel Curpen of Anjunadeep, Frances Shillito of Night Department, Kal Jhugroo of CAA, Shanae Dennis of The Team and Lucy Harrower of Frame Artists. Moderated by Katie Knight, Sydney Blu and Finlay Johnson, the conversations provided valuable insight into bookings, A&R, labels, management and agency representation, giving emerging artists a clearer understanding of how to navigate these areas and build their careers.
Following the panels, the event also showcased the Women Who Shaped Electronic Music photo exhibition, celebrating 18 pioneering artists whose contributions have helped shape the genre. Featuring 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, the exhibition recognised the women whose influence continues to resonate across electronic music.
The programme culminated in a club night in fabric’s seminal Main Room, with performances from TSHA, Kitty Amor, Sydney Blu, Emily Nash and N1NJA. Bringing the event into the club environment connected the daytime conversations around access and representation with the music and culture at the heart of the electronic music community.
Proceeds from the club night will support Change the Beat’s international artist development programme, which provides education, mentorship and opportunities for women and gender expansive artists. The organisation is working towards its pledge to support 300 artists in securing label opportunities by 2028, continuing its commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible electronic music industry.
Change the Beat’s London debut was supported by, and partnered with, a range of industry leading organisations and music schools, including 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, all of which support Change the Beat’s mission of creating greater access, opportunities and representation for women and gender expansive artists in electronic music.
Marking an important milestone in Change the Beat’s international growth, the event strengthens connections between artists and industry leaders while expanding opportunities for the next generation of electronic music talent. With further global events set to be announced throughout 2027, the organisation will continue to build its international community and create new opportunities for women and gender expansive artists across electronic music.
Find Out More & Follow:
Change the Beat: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Discord
fabric: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Sydney Blu: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Beatport
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
Sydney Blu Press Kit | Assets & Images
About Change the Beat:
Founded by Sydney Blu in 2021 as 23by23 with the support of Native Instruments and in partnership with Beatport, Change the Beat has since evolved into an international artist development platform with a community of more than 1,200 members. Its work spans education, mentorship, workshops, masterclasses, artist development, live events, showcases and industry partnerships, with activity across the UK, US, Canada and Europe. Alumni have gone on to release music with labels including Armada, Drumcode, Anjunadeep, Anjunabeats, Toolroom, Insomniac Records, HE.SHE.THEY, Dirtybird, mau5trap and REALM.
About Sydney Blu:
Sydney Blu's experience as an artist and advocate forms the foundation of Change the Beat. Over a 25-year career, she has released music on internationally recognised labels including mau5trap, Drumcode, Truesoul, HE.SHE.THEY, Knee Deep In Sound, Desert Hearts, Circus Recordings and Universal Music. She was the first woman to achieve a solo #1 overall release on Beatport and later received a JUNO Award nomination for Electronic Album of the Year.
Her career experiences within electronic music shaped the creation of Change the Beat and its focus on building stronger support systems for artists. Rather than only highlighting industry challenges, the organisation focuses on creating practical solutions that provide artists with access to the tools, relationships and opportunities needed to progress.
Since its inception, Change the Beat has been recognised for its contribution to the electronic music community, including winning the Beatport Parity Prize for nonprofit excellence in dance music and receiving a 2024 nomination for Organisation of the Year from Women in Music Canada.
Press Enquiries: tom@theeverydayagency.com
