BMC26 PROGRAMME TBA
THEATRE 1
HEALTH & WELLBEING
HARBOUR HOTEL
64 Kings Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1NA
Sponsored by
THURS 22nd MAY 2025
9.30am: WELLNESS & BEATS
Join Tammy & Bex for a healing and energising hour to kickstart your BMC, combining breathwork, yoga, meditation and a sound healing journey, just the tonic to start your day!
Bex – YogaMotive
Bex’s yoga journey began back in 2013 in NYC, when she found a regular practice, which supported the stresses and strains of fast- paced city life. In 2018 she qualified as a Yoga teacher, and has since trained in other additional therapeutic modalities including sound healing.
Bex comes from a creative background and has passion for mixing electronic music. Her classes are a curation of yoga sequenced with music to awaken the body and guide students into a place of reconnection with themselves.
Tammy:
Tammy has worked in the music industry for over 20 years, previously as a promoter in Dubai and Sydney and the last 12 in Sync. Having personally suffered burn out, and as a firm believer and advocate for the benefits of yoga for the mind and body, she studied to become a yoga teacher in 2023, combining knowledge and experience, curating playlists for a musical journey in every class.
Hosted by Tammy & Bex
11.00am: THE POWER OF NO (in association with Skiddle)
The Power Of No: How To Thrive In The Music Industry
We work in an industry where doing everything to excess is celebrated and we feel the pressure to say yes to everything all the time, but at what cost?
What if being able to say NO can actually be the best thing you can do for yourself creatively, productively and mentally?
A positive look at finding the balance you need to thrive with useful hacks to get you there.
Moderator: James Holdsworth (BMC / LNADJ)
Alexandra Annable (Holl’r Music)
Amanda Barker (Tour Manager – Becky Hill)
Dan Tait (Artist Liaison – (Artist Liaison, AlphaTheta)
DJ Mak10
Jess Bays
12.00pm: MOTHERHOOD & DJ-ING
The MOTHERHOOD & DJing panel at BMC will dive deep into the unique challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood with a thriving career in the DJ and production world.
Moderated by local legend and DJ Mag Big Boss Carl Loben, this powerful conversation will feature a stellar lineup of trailblazing artists, including DJ/producers Hilit Kolet, Lola, the legendary Lisa Loud, Mini da Minx, Keleigh Batchelor and The Glitter Bosher.
These influential women will share their personal journeys of navigating the demands of both family life and the high-energy touring circuit, offering insight into the realities of being a mother in the music industry while maintaining a successful career.
With diverse backgrounds and experiences, each panelist will bring a unique perspective on how they manage the delicate balance between motherhood, creativity, and the relentless hustle of being on the road.
From overcoming societal expectations to fostering resilience in an often male-dominated space, this panel aims to inspire and empower mothers in the industry.
Attendees can expect an honest, engaging conversation about the importance of support systems, self-care, and how these remarkable women have carved their paths in a fast-paced world.
It’s a celebration of strength, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond between music and motherhood!
Moderator: Carl Loben (DJ Mag)
Hilit Kolet
Keleigh Batchelor (AlphaTheta)
Lisa Loud
Lola
Mini da Minx
The Glitter Bosher
1.00pm: MUSIC MINDS MATTER: CHECK YOUR LEVELS – TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF IN MUSIC (in association with Music Minds Matter)
Check Your Levels sessions, provided by Music Minds Matter, help you to become more tuned into what keeps you well when you work in music.
Designed for everyone working in music, these sessions are about helping to care for your mental health – from being aware of issues that can challenge and negatively impact, to turning up what’s good and turning down what’s hard about working in music; getting help when you need it, and supporting friends and colleagues in music.
Presented by Helen Whitaker (BAPAM)
2.00pm: THE TINNITUS TOOLKIT (in association with ACS Custom)
Anyone exposed to loud dance music will have probably experienced Tinnitus, the whistling or ringing ghost in your head. Hopefully temporarily but for some this can become a chronic condition and something that is devastating, life changing and must be coped with every single day….. and night.
Loud music damages your hearing! – no sh*t! We know this right? Get over it! There’s loads of research and statistics to prove this together with many campaigns to raise more awareness. But what about supporting the people that live with Tinnitus or want to effectively protect themselves from an outcome of being exposed to the loud music that they love, enjoy regularly for extended periods of time.
Our expert panel of industry professionals, who have experienced Tinnitus, will explain what it is, what it isn’t, prevention, protection, new innovations in sound management, highlight the many coping strategies for this condition and where to get help and support.
Moderator: Jono Heale (ACS)
Anne Savage
Danny Knight (Tinnitus UK)
Dr James Schuster-Bruce (Life is Loud)
Howard Presland (Tinnisoothe)
Rocky (X-Press 2)
3.00pm: BREAKING THE STIGMA – SEVERE AND ENDURING MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY (in association with Tonic Music for Mental Health)
Over the past few years, awareness of mental health in the music industry has improved significantly, which is best highlighted by the increased number of panel discussions focusing on the topic.
Whilst the music industry has benefited from a greater understanding of stress, anxiety and depression, there remains a lack of awareness with regard to severe and enduring mental illness in the form of bipolar, personality disorders and schizophrenia.
A consequence of this is stigma, which people living with severe and enduring mental health illnesses still experience in the music industry.
This panel aims to start breaking the stigma around severe and enduring mental health illness, by holding an open discussion about how to support people in the music industry. living with bipolar, personality disorders and/or schizophrenia.
The panel will be moderated by the mental health charity, Tonic Music, and feature panelists sharing their own experiences around the topic.
It is hoped this raise awareness of severe and enduring mental illnesses, to improve knowledge, empathy and support in the music industry.
Moderator: Jeordie Shenton (Tonic Music For Mental Health)
Amy Bee Sting (Oh My God It’s The Church)
Fat Tony
Simon Williams
4.00pm: EAT, SLEEP, RAVE, RELAX
With over 20 years of experience working with 2,000+ Artists and DJs, Sally J Freeman brings a unique blend of music industry expertise and clinical dietetics to the conversation on health, well-being, and performance.
As an HCPC-registered Dietitian, she specialises in mental health, disability, neurodiversity, women’s health, and gut health, alongside being a dedicated mental health advocate. A clinician for BAPAM – Performing arts Medicine, Sally’s work is now focused on helping artists build resilience, prevent burnout, and optimise their nutrition to support both their creative and physical performance.
What BMC Delegates Will Gain from This Session:
Optimising Nutrition for DJs & Artists – What to eat and when to fuel creativity, endurance, and performance.
Pre & Post-Performance Nutrition – What to eat before and How to recover effectively after a set or gig.
Nutritional Stories from the Road – The real-life challenges and solutions artists and crew face when touring.
Supplements: Hype or Help? – Understanding if and when supplementation is useful.
Maximising Energy & Focus – What to eat and do to stay energised and perform at your best.
Debunking Nutrition Myths – Separating fact from fiction in performance nutrition.
Q&A Session – Your chance to ask personalised nutrition questions.
This session will provide practical, evidence-based insights tailored for those navigating the demanding lifestyle of the dance music industry. Whether you’re an artist, DJ, manager, or industry professional, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to enhance well-being and longevity in your career.
Moderator: Ellie Talebian (DJ / Radio Presenter)
Sally Freeman
5.00pm: NEURODIVERSITY & DJing
This year’s NEURODIVERSITY & DJing panel is back after the huge success of last year’s event, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the industry to discuss the intersection of neurodiversity and electronic music.
Moderated by Harold Heath, the panel will explore the ways in which neurodivergence influences creativity, collaboration, and innovation in the electronic music scene. With a focus on inclusivity, the panel aims to provide valuable insights for artists, industry professionals, and fans alike.
Joining Harold Heath are five trailblazing voices in the scene: Danny J Lewis, Ifeoluwa, Jess Bays, Jon Carter and Kate Wildblood. Each of them brings unique experiences and perspectives to the conversation, from navigating the challenges of neurodivergence in a predominantly neurotypical industry, to leveraging their creativity in new and exciting ways.
Together, they’ll offer a candid and thought-provoking discussion, shedding light on the importance of fostering a more inclusive environment for neurodivergent individuals in electronic music.
Don’t miss this powerful and inspiring conversation!
Moderator: Harold Heath
Danny J Lewis
Ifeoluwa
Jess Bays
Jon Carter
Kate Wildblood
6.00pm: FRANKIE KNUCKLES DOCUMENTARY, FOLLOWED BY Q&A
Hosted by Toni Tambourine
Erique Raze (eRaze)
FRI 23rd MAY 2025
9.30am: HEALING SOUNDBATH
Morning Sound Journey with KuraZana.
Ease into the day with a live sound healing experience led by KuraZana (aka Banxi) an immersive session designed to guide you through the subtle spaces between shadow and light, mind and emotion. Using crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls, gong, chimes, and a shamanic drum journey, this is a chance to drop into stillness, recalibrate, and reconnect.
With a background in both sound healing and DJing, Banxi is interested in the places sound can take us. Her sessions are less about performance, more about presence, creating space for clarity, insight, and a shift in frequency.
Come as you are, leave a little more in tune.
Hosted by KuraZana (aka Banxi)
11.00am: LISTEN FOR LIFE (in association with NTIA)
Hearing is essential to how we connect, experience culture, and navigate the world. Yet, according to the World Health Organisation, 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of permanent hearing loss due to exposure to unsafe recreational sound levels. In the UK alone, 1 in 6 people live with hearing loss – a condition that not only affects daily life but also increases the risk of dementia.
This growing crisis demands action. That’s why we’ve created the Listen for Life Charter – a commitment to safeguarding hearing health for future generations.
Our mission is ambitious: to reduce hearing loss by 50% in young adults across the UK within the next 5 – 10 years.
Sign the charter here
Moderator: Biff Mitchell (Festival Producer)
Keith Reilly (Fabric)
MC Kinky / Feral is Kinky
Michael Kill (NTIA)
Rob Shepheard (NTIA Audiologist)
12.00pm: THE CASE FOR BEING YOURSELF (in association with Skiddle)
In an industry increasingly shaped by algorithms, curated personas, and social media spectacle, authenticity is becoming a radical act. In the world of dance music, DJs and artists often feel pressured to present themselves in ways that don’t reflect who they really are, trading self-expression for engagement metrics.
For women in particular, these pressures are often gendered, with an added expectation to present themselves in hyper-sexualised or provocative ways, a standard that becomes more difficult and damaging over time.
This panel brings together those who are pushing back against the performance of identity, choosing instead to build careers rooted in integrity.
We’ll explore what it means to “play the game” on your own terms, the power of authenticity in an often performative industry, how going against the grain can actually support long-term emotional and creative wellbeing, and why being yourself isn’t just brave — it’s an essential strategy.
Moderator: Ellie Talebian (DJ / Radio Presenter)
Darius Heimann (Beatport)
Lauren Thompson (DJ)
Natalie Maddix (Founder & Creative House Gospel Choir)
Paris Cesvette (DJ)
Silvia Montello (AFEM / LNADJ)
1.00pm: WHO IS LOOKING AFTER THE INDUSTRY’S MENTAL HEALTH? A COLLECTIVE REMEDY… (in association with Skiddle & Music Minds Matter)
Join Skiddle and a host of leading well-being advocates for an insightful panel discussion on mental health and the resources available to professionals working across the nighttime industries.
The session will cover new initiatives promoting positive mental well-being and ongoing efforts to tackle issues like tinnitus while offering actionable steps to support those most in need.
Current practices will also be highlighted alongside opportunities for improvement, to foster a healthier and more supportive event community.
Moderator: Duncan King (Skiddle)
Alex Berry (Dykes on Decks)
Ariana Alexander-Sefre (SPOKE)
Cat Kevern (NOWIE)
Laurie Oliva (Music Minds Matter)
Samantha Moyo
2.00pm: KEYNOTE – ARTHUR BAKER (in association with NTIA)
An intimate conversation with legendary US electro pioneer Arthur Baker. known for his influential role in shaping the electro genre, Arthur’s contributions to the music world have left an indelible mark.
As a key architect behind the development of electronic music, his collaborations with artists like Afrika Bambaataa and his work on iconic tracks such as “Planet Rock” have made him a trailblazer in the genre.
This session will delve deep into his creative journey, the evolution of electronic music, and his unique perspective on the intersection of technology and artistry. Expect to hear firsthand insights into his innovative approaches that continue to inspire generations of producers, DJs, and music lovers.
Michael Kill, a prominent figure within the National Trade Association for the Independent Music Industry (NTIA), will guide the conversation, bringing his extensive knowledge of the industry and the current challenges artists face in today’s rapidly changing musical landscape.
This is an unparalleled opportunity to learn from one of the forefathers of electronic music and explore how his groundbreaking work paved the way for modern genres.
Hosted by Michael Kill (NTIA)
Arthur Baker
3.00pm: BURNOUT
The BURNOUT panel at the electronic music conference, hosted by Antonia Lucas from Sound Mind, will dive deep into the intersection of mental health and the pressures faced by those in the electronic music industry.
The panel explores the concept of burnout, a growing concern among artists, producers, and industry professionals, and how it disproportionately affects neurodiverse individuals. Featuring Brandon Block, DJ, Producer & mental health advocate, Jumpin Jack Frost DJ, Author & Co-founder of V Recordings, Liz Williams (Intergrity Life Coach) and Joanna Miles from The Other Side of Fear & Suzanna Dee this conversation will address strategies for maintaining mental well-being while navigating the high demands of the music scene.
The discussion aims to foster a more open dialogue about mental health and offer tangible solutions for self-care, support systems, and sustainable creative practices.
In this candid and insightful session, the panelists will share their personal experiences, discuss the stigmas surrounding mental health within the industry, and offer practical advice for combating burnout. With their unique perspectives, the panel will highlight the importance of community, mentorship, and mindful practices in nurturing both mental health and creative longevity.
Expect honest conversations, shared wisdom, and a focus on creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for everyone in the electronic music world.
Moderator: Antonia Lucas (Sound Mind)
Brand Block (DJ / Producer)
Jumpin Jack Frost (DJ, Author & Co-founder of V Recordings)
Liz Williams (Music Supervisor / Integrity Life Coach)
Joanna Miles (The Other Side Of Fear)
Suzanna Dee (Singer/Songwriter/Mentor)
4.00pm: BEYOND THE BUZZWORD – WHY COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY (in association with shesaid.so)
For over a decade, shesaid.so has emphasised that community is the backbone of every artist and creative in the music industry. But what does that really mean today?
In an era where platforms commodify “community” as a marketing tool, how do we foster authentic spaces that fuel creative careers, audience engagement, and industry sustainability?
This session will examine the real value of community in the music industry beyond networking, discuss sustainable models for artist and industry communities that aren’t just monetised fan groups and Address the challenges of maintaining authentic connections in an era of AI, social fragmentation, and shifting digital landscapes.
Moderator: Nikki McNeill (Global Publicity)
Nina Kehagia (shesaid.so)
Vix Brand (shesaid.so)
Nadine Noor (Pxssy Palace)
Melissa Kains (Sisu)
5.00pm: THE POWER OF ONE (in association with Last Night A DJ Saved My Life)
One person can make a difference. One action can change a life. One moment can spark a movement.
This year at BMC, Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (LNADJ) are bringing together artists, industry leaders, and YOU for a powerful, interactive session that goes beyond talk – it’s about action.
Join LNADJ for a live round table where we’ll explore:
How one person’s small act can create a global impact
Real stories of DJs, promoters & music lovers who stepped up and changed lives
What YOU can do—today—to be the one who makes a difference
This isn’t just another panel. It’s a movement. Everyone in the room will have the chance to commit to real action—big or small—that can change lives. This is the beginning of a story.
Featuring special guests, live audience participation & a moment that could redefine your role in the music industry.
Moderator: Ellie Talebian (Comms Manager, LNADJ)
Amber D (DJ / Producer)
Jono Heale (LNADJ Trustee / Musician)
Seamus Haji (A&R Manager, Defected)
Silvia Montello (Chair of Trustees, LNADJ)
COUNTDOWN TO #BMC27
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our official charity partner.