Join Pa Salieu, Bree Runway, Simone Rocha, A’Whora, and more for a two-day takeover of Dazed’s HQ – here’s what you can’t miss
ICYMI, Dazed is putting on a festival! Next month, to mark our 30th anniversary, we’re inviting all of you to join us at our HQ at London’s 180 The Strand for Dazed Live, as we bring the magazine to life.
Across two days, we’ll be joined by the likes of Pa Salieu, Bree Runway, Simone Rocha, A’Whora, Conner Ives, and many more in a packed weekend programme of live performances, DJ sets, screenings, exhibitions, talks, workshops, and – most importantly – food.
To be in with a chance to attend, you can sign up to the Dazed Live ticket draw here. Tickets are £10, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to homeless charity Centrepoint. To whet your appetite in the meantime, here’s a rundown of the must-do events you’d be a fool to miss.
FOR THE MUSIC HEADS: PA SALIEU
For those looking for a weekend gig, prepare to be spoiled for choice. Over the weekend, Dazed Studios will host live performances from Bree Runway, anaiis, Dazed 100er cktrl, Azekel, Dazed 100er Enny and a very special guest. There’s also DJ sets and workshops from the likes of Dazed 100er Jyoty, former Dazed 100er Sherelle, Prestige Pak, Keep Hush, and Wolf Alice.
One musical performance not to miss is Dazed cover star Pa Salieu, who’s also running an afternoon takeover showcasing his Afrikan Rebel project featuring screenprinting and DJ sets. Afrikan Rebel is the name of Pa’s new three-track EP, which dropped last week. It follows his debut album, Send Them to Coventry, which was Dazed’s number one record of 2020.
Subverting and putting a positive spin on the word ‘rebel’, the takeover will celebrate the multitalented Coventry rapper’s roots. “Fundamentally Afrikan Rebel is about being proud and loud about where you come from. For me that is Africa,” says Salieu. “Growing up in the UK especially having spent my early years in Gambia wasn’t always easy being black and especially not black African with an African accent, but I have always been taught to be proud of who I am and have never shied away from that fact for better or for worse.”
FOR THE FASHIONISTAS: DAZED’S STYLING MASTERCLASS
On Saturday (October 9), Dazed’s editor-in-chief Ibrahim Kamara and art director Gareth Wrighton will bring you behind-the-scenes of Dazed’s latest issue. The pair will take you on a journey through the curation and creation of our 30th anniversary issue, which features cover star Rihanna dressed as a giant spliff. Kamara and Wrighton will also treat you to a masterclass in styling, putting together live looks while taking questions from the audience, and talking you through the art of storytelling through fashion.
And there’s plenty more fashion where that came from – a Sashiko textile workshop with YICRAFTS Yiran Duan; Dazed limited edition merch and t-shirt customisation classes with Dazed 100er Jawara Alleyne – the designer behind Ri Ri’s blunt dress – and Connor Ives; a runway workshop with trans+ talent agency WIMP; an experimental badge making workshop with jewellery designer Emily Frances Barrett; and a workshop on how to make your own digital clothes with the Institute of Digital Fashion.
FOR THE ARTISTS: EDDIE OTCHERE’S ZINE-MAKING CLASS
Across the weekend, Dazed+Labs curator, photographer, and educator Eddie Otchere will host a hands-on photography and zine-making class, alongside a pop-up dark room. For the non-photographers, there will also be a chance to step into the roles that surround the photographer, including stylists, art directors, and creative directors.
“Much of our learning is to understand the art and techniques embodied in photography,” says Otchere. “Our studio shoots are essentially the culmination and application of all the art theory and professional practice (students) have been adopting.”
Dazed+Labs is now in its third year, having launched at a youth centre in west London in 2018. It’s a cross-continental educational initiative between Dazed and Red Hook Labs, that encourages students to use the camera as a tool for expression, and empowers the next generation of creatives to tell their own stories with their own voices.
For multidisciplinary artists and art fans, the weekend’s line-up also includes a life drawing class hosted by Michaela Stark and friends; an art takeover by Dazed 100ers Habibi Collective; Finding Poetry in Everything, a spoken word performance and Q&A with Dazed 100er Julianknxx, joined by former Dazed 100er Caleb Femi; an immersive dance performance with Ivan Michael Blackstock; Dazed Live resident artist Slawn painting live, and access to exhibitions housed at 180 The Strand, including Khalil Joseph’s BLKNWS® and In Praise of Still Boys by Julianknxx.
FOR THE BEAUTY QUEENS: JOHN ALLAN’S SCULPTURAL WIG TUTORIAL
Dazed Beauty will have its own studio over the weekend, playing host to workshops and screenings including an avant-garde airbrushing tutorial with maverick make-up artist Lynski, as well as a pop-up Dat Barber Nat barber shop – open all weekend.
You also don’t want to miss boundary pushing hair stylist John Allan in the Dazed Beauty Room for a wild sculptural wig tutorial, as he shares his expertise in creating showstopping styles on wigs. Having started out as an apprentice in Toni and Guy in Milton Keynes, Allan has grown into one of London’s most sought-after session stylists, known for his adventurous cuts, from mullets to mohawks, and penchant for wig styling. His client list boasts the likes of Beabadoobee and Mowalola.
FOR THE INQUISITIVE AND GLAM: GETTING INTO DRAG WITH A’WHORA AND VANITY MILAN
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season two favourite A’Whora and season three’s forthcoming contestant Vanity Milan will be at Dazed HQ on Sunday (October 10) for a talk on getting into drag. Hosted by former Dazed Beauty editor Dominic Cadogan, the pair will share stories, tricks, and the tips you need to become a drag superstar.
Other talks across the weekend include Building a Brand with Simone Rocha; Hidden Homelessness with Ciaran Thapar, and Body Positivity, Control, and Conditioning with Michaela Stark, Lucia Blake, Ellie Goldstein, and Jade O'Belle.
Bonus experiences for the inquisitive: Loyle Carner and GOMA Project will be hosting their Chilli Con Carner’s ADHD Cooking School with chef and founder Garden of Afruika Eyram Dzotsi, and the Dazed Newsagent at Reference Point will be open for your browsing pleasure.
Dazed Live will run from Saturday October 9 to Sunday October 10 at 180 The Strand. You can apply for tickets here.