We're Big Dyke Energy and our music scene desperately needs support if its to continue to thrive.
Our music scene thrives when it's diverse and independent. With rising costs and the cost of living crisis, it's becoming harder and harder for grassroots queer, non-binary, trans+ and intersex individuals to start and manage their own independent music events.
Our goal is to raise £15,000 to support 10 grassroots music organisers, financially and with mentorship, from February 2024 for 6 months. Each organiser/event will receive a one-off grant, plus 5 mentorship sessions over 6 months. They will also have access to discounted venue rates and press exposure too.
Independent queer promoters need help.
Club events are the lifeblood of queer culture. We all have our own individual stories about how certain events changed our lives.
Independent club event organisers pour everything into these events, but speaking to other grassroots promoters across the industry, it's clear that we're at a dangerous tipping point. We're not going to beat around the bush. It is becoming almost impossible for individuals to start or continue to run grassroots music events.
Minimum bar spends, venue fees, travel costs, artist fees, exclusivities, promotional materials and taxes have all increased over the past 18 months, and it is unfortunately having a detrimental impact on queer grassroots music organisers in the UK.
It has never been more important that we have spaces where we can be authentically us without the fear of prejudice, and we know that our closure means there will be one less space on the scene. So, after a lot of thought, we have decided to use BDE as a force for good.
At the end of this year, our aim is for Big Dyke Energy to become a charity, providing mentorship and grants to grassroots queer, trans+, non-binary and intersex music organisers.
Save Queer Raves Grant.
- In January 2024, we will be accepting applications for grants and mentorship from queer, non-binary, trans+ and intersex event organisers from across the UK. Criteria for applicants will be launched in late December.
- Unlike other grants, we will provide funds in under four weeks if successful, and the application process will be simple and accessible.
- We will introduce a transparent appraisal process and review each submission alongside other applications. We want to fund a full range of music events across the UK to ensure the scene is diversely represented.
- Our goal is to provide funding to everyone who applies for it, but unfortunately, it will subject to demand and the amount we raise.
- The grants will be up to £1500 per music organisation, and each organisation can receive a grant once every 12 months.
- Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be mentored by us or other well-known promoters for up to 6 months.
- Every applicant (even if not successful) will receive regular communication from successful artists and promoters through our mailing list, plus they will be offered cheaper venue rates at leading UK venues when they come available.
- Big Dyke Energy will donate £1000 from ticket sales.
What £15k will allow us to do?
£15k is a lot of money - it would be a dream to make it to this figure so we can fund a diverse range of music events across the UK. This is how this will be spent:
2 x £1500 grants
3 x £1000 grants
5 x £500 grants
Mentorship - 60 hours in total (Mentors to be paid £15 per hour)
Grant management - 120 hours in total (Team members to be paid £15 per hour)
Printing and shipping costs for prizes (£5k)
If we raise more than this, then this will allow us to provide another round of grants in June 2024.
How to donate and rewards.
This is an all or nothing fundraiser and we really want to make it to our target to make this happen. It's so needed.
Prize draw:
Donate £5 for 1 entry, or £10 for 3 entries to WIN ALL of the following:
- £1000 CASH to spend on transport, accommodation or whatever you like! (This is if we reach £15k)
- 4 x Love International 2024 festival tickets, plus 4 boat tickets to a very special party 👀
- 4 x Big Dyke Energy Day and Night tickets, plus YOUR OWN PRIVATE TOILET at Venue MOT
- 4 x Big Dyke Energy Limited Edition Prints
- 2 x SOLD OUT Big Dyke Energy Vinyl
This is worth over £2000! The toilet pass is priceless...
Posters:
A right bargain at £15 with delivery. Limited edition prints of our iconic posters designed by River Cousin. River Cousin has donated the designs to us, and we will print and ship them before the end of the year (UK only). We can't guarantee a date.
All posters are printed on 250gsm Standard Fine Art Paper.
DJ lesson with FAFF:
Bag a 2-hour DJ lesson with our dishy residents FAFF who are straight out of their Berghain debut. One of a kind prize this.
We've put everything into BDE over the past four years.
If you've ever been to one of our parties, it would mean the world to us if you could donate or share.
Let's make this happen - our scene needs it.
Much love,
Melo and Elliott