Loud&Unfiltered

In this episode of Loud & Unfiltered, we sit down with nightlife entrepreneur Kirk Allen, the man behind the relaunch of legendary Shoreditch nightclub XOYO, to unpack the realities of running nightclubs, building club brands, and marketing nightlife in the modern era.

Kirk shares the full story behind purchasing XOYO, refurbishing the venue in just weeks, and documenting the entire process online — turning himself into an unlikely TikTok nightlife entrepreneur in the process.

From promoting student nights in Leeds to running international festivals and owning multiple venues, Kirk has built a career around one thing: creating unforgettable nightlife experiences.

Kirk also shares the inside story of running large scale projects including The Warehouse Leeds, Rise Festival, and international event experiences across Europe.

Along the way we dive into the future of nightlife, the next generation of ravers, and why the club scene might actually be entering a new golden era.

Subscribe to Loud&Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators, and cultural entrepreneurs and connect with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxpr/

Key Moments:
0:00 – Wild Early Promoter Days & Disaster Halloween Night
0:31 – Podcast Intro & Who Is Kirk Allen?
01:21 – Why Buy XOYO? Shoreditch, Licenses & Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
02:07 – Deal Timeline: From First Visit to Signing in December
03:28 – Rebuilding XOYO in 4 Weeks: Basement, Budget & Changing the Plan
05:25 – Building the A‑Team: Designers, Production & Trusted Partners
07:12 – XOYO’s Legacy vs. New Chapter: Respecting the Past, Building the Future
08:13 – TikTok Strategy: Founder Story, Transparency & Viral Moments
10:19 – Opening Night: Press Day, First Party & Realising XOYO Is Back
11:33 – Nail the Product: Micro-Tweaks, Dancefloor Research & Premier League Ambition
13:22 – London vs Leeds Nightlife: Different Markets, Different Strategies
15:36 – Kirk’s Role: Vision, Bookings, Marketing & Diary Management
16:59 – Positivity About Nightlife: Fighting Negative Narratives in the Media
19:03 – Leeds Club Scene: Then vs Now & Why It Still Works
25:50 – The Warehouse, Leeds: Reviving a Legendary Club
27:28 – Why Kirk Loves Owning Clubs: Designing the Perfect Night Out
31:46 – Festivals & Trips: Rise Festival, Ski Weekends & Broken Bones
32:56 – Create It: Building Branded Weekenders with Big Artists
34:22 – Why Tenerife & Majorca Work: Flights, Seasons & Local Councils
37:05 – When Things Go Wrong: Risk, Crises & Learning from Nightmares
39:01 – Future Vision: No Masterplan, Just Grabbing Great Opportunities
41:44 – The Clubs That Changed Kirk’s Life: Mission Leeds & Pacha Ibiza
42:19 – Dream Bookings: Eric Prydz, Drumcode, Carl Cox & More
44:01 – Amsterdam Dance Event, Night Time Economy & Policy Support
45:03 – Promoter vs DJ: Why Kirk Chose Organising Over Performing

In this episode of Loud & Unfiltered, host Josh Karpf sits down with the multi-talented DJ, producer, vocalist and radio personality to unpack the real story behind his rise — including how his rework of “Rasputin” exploded worldwide, racking up hundreds of millions of streams and becoming a social media phenomenon.

Majestic shares how years of groundwork in the UK garage scene, radio broadcasting and live performance prepared him for the moment when the algorithm finally hit. The conversation dives into the power of consistency, adapting to changing platforms, and why authenticity still cuts through in an attention-driven industry.
From pirate radio culture and early London club nights to TikTok virality, global touring and building a sustainable career across multiple roles, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to stay relevant in dance music today.

Subscribe to Loud&Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators, and cultural entrepreneurs and connect with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxpr/

Key Moments:
0:00 – Majestic Intro & Rasputin / Armand Van Helden Story
0:28 – Podcast Welcome & Audience Call-To-Action
0:50 – Who Is Majestic? Career Overview
1:31 – New York Trips, Touring Life & Burnout
3:02 – Early Life: School Music, Family & First Love of Sound
3:59 – Discovering UK Garage & Pirate Radio in Late 90s London
6:26 – Buying Decks, Ibiza Trip & Becoming a Teenage DJ
10:10 – First Pirate Radio Break: Time FM & SubJam
11:31 – From MC to Station Producer: Adverts, Imaging & Hustling
15:41 – Pirate Radio Culture, Community & Misconceptions
18:40 – Club Culture: First Bookings & Grassroots Venues
19:57 – How Smoking Bans & ID Rules Changed UK Nightlife
21:20 – Grassroots Venues, Intimacy & Resetting the Dancefloor
24:06 – Under-18 Raves, UTR & Let’s Go Crazy Era
28:12 – Lost Generations: Covid, Youth Culture & Rave Gateways
30:06 – The Making of “Rasputin” & TikTok Explosion
34:19 – Beatport #1, Heart FM & Armand’s Reaction
35:45 – Hate, Virality & David Guetta’s Advice
38:44 – Streaming Economics, Labels & Artist Exploitation
42:56 – TikTok as the New Pirate Radio & Algorithmic Culture
44:43 – Old Tunes, New Life: Kate Bush, Garage Classics & TikTok Revivals
47:39 – Content Pressure, Performance Anxiety & Being On-Camera
52:24 – Plain Old Kev: A Raw, Honest Artist Project
54:42 – Luminous Live Shows: Hybrid Rave–Concert Experience
57:06 – Breaking Into TalkSport & Sports Broadcasting
58:32 – Tyson Fury Interview & Radio Breakthrough
1:01:26 – From Music to Boxing: Ring Walk DJ & Event Curator
1:05:42 – Saudi, Queensberry vs Matchroom & Viral Boxing Moments
1:06:23 – Reading the Room: From Wembley to Madison Square Garden
1:08:12 – CALM Ambassador: Men’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
1:09:58 – Project 365, Therapy & Balancing Mind–Body–Soul
1:10:55 – Upcoming UK Garage Album & Big Features
1:11:59 – Closing Thoughts, Mutual Respect & Teasing Part Two

In this episode of Loud & Unfiltered, Josh Karpf sits down with rising UK DJ and producer Sasha Gigi to unpack the reality behind the breakthrough moments — from years of graft to playing Wembley alongside Fatboy Slim.

Starting out as a singer-songwriter, Sasha built her way into the scene through university radio, relentless networking and years of DJing private events before stepping onto festival stages and major club lineups. The conversation explores her journey from Bristol’s underground scene to global opportunities, including playing Ibiza, going back-to-back with Idris Elba, and becoming the first DJ to perform on the Eurostar.

Sasha shares honest insights into finding your sound as an artist, the pressure of social media in modern music careers, and why authenticity matters more than chasing trends. The episode also dives into the realities of being a female DJ in a male-dominated industry, the importance of community, and the balance between production, performance and personal brand.

Subscribe to Loud&Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators, and cultural entrepreneurs and connect with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxpr/

Key Moments:
0:00 – Opening Story: From Fatboy Slim at Wembley to “Be Authentic”
0:34 – Podcast Intro: About the Show & What Listeners Can Expect
0:55 – Meet Sasha Gigi: Rising UK DJ, Producer & Vocalist
02:07 – Early Years: Saxophone, Singing in the Car & Falling in Love with Music
02:40 – Bristol Days: Uni Radio, House Music & Discovering the Club Scene
04:00 – Getting In the Door: Artist Interviews, Hoxton Radio & Fashion Week Gigs
05:20 – From Waiting Tables to Wanting Decks: The Pivot Toward DJing
06:11 – Memorable Early Interviews: Jungle, Tour Buses & Glastonbury Memories
09:30 – Years of Graft: 2017 Onward, Bar Gigs, Private Parties & Festivals
10:31 – Meeting Manager Katie Ellis: Networking Your Way into Top Management
11:50 – Lockdown Creativity: Band Project, Zoom Sessions & Songwriting for Others
15:40 – The Call: Landing a Support Slot for Fatboy Slim at Wembley
18:50 – First Time in Ibiza: Opening for Idris Elba & A Surprise Back‑to‑Back
21:20 – Confidence, Craft & Finding Your Own DJ Sound
22:50 – Studio vs Stage: Producing, Toplining & Testing Tracks in the Club
25:26 – Unique Gigs: First DJ Ever on the Eurostar & Lab 54 Pop‑Ups
26:47 – Clubs vs Festivals: Intimate Rooms, Superclubs & Arena Shows
28:15 – Inside the Electronic Music Industry: Living in Clubs & Constant Networking
28:50 – Being a Female DJ & Producer in a Male‑Dominated Scene
30:17 – Working with a Female Powerhouse Manager & Cracking the Underground
31:31 – Diversity, Lineups & Ticket Sales: The Reality for Promoters
35:29 – What’s Next: Ministry of Sound, New Agent & Summer Festival Plans
37:21 – DJ Career Advice: Cutting Through the Noise & Choosing Your Lane
40:39 – Artists & Labels to Watch: Maccabi, Hot Creations & Female‑Led Crews
42:06 – Quick‑Fire Round: Life‑Changing Clubs, Albums & Secret Weapons
44:07 – Closing Thoughts: Graft, Persistence & Inspiring the Next Generation of DJs

In this episode of Loud & Unfiltered, host Alex Jukes sits down with Sam Spencer, Director of Live Operations at Broadwick Live — the team behind some of London’s most influential music spaces including Printworks, Drumsheds, Magazine and the Albert Hall.

From starting out on the cloakroom at a Frankie Knuckles show to helping shape era-defining venues, Sam shares a behind-the-scenes look at the operational reality of large-scale nightlife. The conversation explores the evolution of Printworks, the rapid rise of Drumsheds, and what it takes to deliver events for crowds of 10,000+ while keeping the experience focused on one simple principle: put the punter first.

Sam also discusses London’s changing nightlife landscape, the economic pressures facing venues and audiences, and his work on the Mayor’s Nightlife Taskforce — a major industry initiative aimed at protecting and evolving the capital’s night-time economy. From licensing challenges and sound design to community culture, inclusivity and the responsibility of large venues to support the wider scene, this episode offers a rare insider perspective on the future of going out in London.

Subscribe to Loud&Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators, and cultural entrepreneurs and connect with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxpr/

Key Moments:
0:00 – Origins of Electronic Music & Setting the Scene
0:36 – Podcast Intro: Who Is Sam Spencer (Broadwick Live, Drumsheds, Printworks)?
01:42 – Behind the Scenes: What a Director of Live Operations Actually Does
03:52 – Building Drumsheds London: From Warehouse Next to IKEA to 15,000-Cap Venue
05:13 – Listening to the Crowd: How Customer Feedback Shapes Drumsheds
06:21 – Designing Shows: Production for Underground, Commercial & Broadcast Events
06:58 – Black Music, Queer Events & Inclusive Programming at Drumsheds
08:08 – Running a 15,000-Capacity Show: Staffing, Security and Inclusive Briefings
09:35 – Fixing the Sound: Acoustic Challenges and Upgrades at Drumsheds
10:53 – Lessons from Printworks & Magazine: “Punter First” Venue Philosophy
14:06 – Getting into the Music Industry: Sam’s Journey from Drama School to Cloakroom
16:16 – Career Advice: Breaking Into Electronic Music, Operations and Venues
17:52 – War Stories from the Club: Flooded Lights, Broken Toilets and Backup Plans
20:26 – Mentors, Team Culture and Learning to Run Iconic Venues
22:31 – What Is the London Night Time Taskforce?
24:45 – The State of London Nightlife: Closures, Costs and Political Buy-In
25:59 – From Fragmented Voices to One Message: Industry Lobbying & Policy Change
27:35 – What Do Clubbers Want? Big Productions vs Small Intimate Clubs
32:49 – Transmission at Wembley: A Trans Solidarity Show for Electronic Music’s Roots
35:36 – Inside Printworks London: How It Became a Global Game-Changer
38:21 – Why Daytime Raving Worked: The Printworks Formula for London
39:49 – What’s Next for Sam Spencer and Broadwick Live?

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Loud & Unfiltered, host AJosh Karpf sits down with Sam Divine, one of the most influential figures in UK dance music, for an honest conversation about longevity, reinvention, sobriety, and the future of the club scene.

With a career spanning over 25 years, Sam opens up about the realities of life on the road, burning out in an industry built on excess, and why choosing sobriety became a turning point not just personally, but creatively. From sleeping in her car for early gigs to headlining global festivals, this episode traces the full arc of a modern dance music career without filters.

Sam also dives deep into the launch of 555, her new label, tour and cultural movement built around grassroots venues, affordability, and artist freedom. She explains why five-hour sets, £5 tickets, and supporting emerging DJs are essential to preserving club culture — and why now is the moment to go back to the beginning.

The conversation also explores female representation in dance music, the pressure of social media, the myth of overnight success, and why authenticity matters more than ever in an algorithm-driven industry.

Subscribe to Loud&Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators, and cultural entrepreneurs and connect with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxpr/

Key Moments:
0:00 – Welcome to LOUD & Unfiltered + Sam Divine Intro
01:32 – Life on Tour, Time Off & Miami Music Week Plans
02:13 – Shutting Down a Brooklyn Block with Joe’s Pizza Set
03:29 – Asia Tour, Burnout & Learning to Pace Herself
04:34 – One Year Clean & Sober: The Reality of a Sober DJ Rider
06:57 – What Is 555? The Story Behind the Angel Number Brand
07:28 – 555 UK Grassroots Tour: Cities, Venues & £5 Tickets
09:14 – Saving Grassroots Clubs & The Lost Art of the Warm-Up Set
11:15 – Five-Hour Sets & Relearning How to Play All Night Long
16:34 – From Divine Sounds to 555 Records: A New Label Era
21:39 – Meet Nessie: Building a New Wave of 555 Artists
22:39 – Championing Female DJs & Diversity on Lineups
28:33 – Hard House Beginnings, Soulful House Pivot & Defected Breakthrough
32:09 – Writing From Pain: Divorce, Rehab & ‘Scars’
38:04 – What’s Next: Ibiza, Croatia, 555 Expansion & New Artists
41:33 – Quickfire: Club, Albums & Influences That Shaped Sam Divine
43:21 – Playing After Kerri Chandler & Her All-Time DJ Hero
44:10 – Hot Artists to Watch: Nessie, Alisha, Olive F, Arielle Free
45:20 – Closing Thoughts: Gratitude, Sobriety & 555 Mission