PHOTOGRAPHY Gobinder Jhitta
What does it take to get your body moving? Is it the right dance beat, a perfect outfit or perhaps just being surrounded by your best Judys? Last weekend saw it all in abundance at the multi-venue queer festival, Body Movements. Returning for its third summer edition in the creative hub of Hackney Wick, the all-day, packed programme was filled with DJs, dance parties and over 30 diverse collectives uplifting one another, creating an inclusive space to let loose and get moving.
London-born, Jamaica-based dancefloor stalwart Sippin’ T has already garnered a reputation for amplifying Black and queer communities, co-founding the QTIBPOC collective BBZ. For their Body Movements takeover in partnership with Dr. Martens, aptly held at All My Friends, the multidisciplinary artist invited musicians from around the world to perform as part of an inclusive line-up exploring class, colonial legacies, ancestral traditions and gender.
The takeover celebrated a fusion of global sounds and featured talent from a spectrum of diasporas and cultures. Highlights from the schedule included Brazilian icon of baile funk BADSISTA, dancehall party starter Lil C and South London funk aficionado Fiyahdred.
Body Movements has already become a firm fixture on festival calendars thanks to its authentic reflection of the UK’s diverse Queer and Trans electronic music communities, uniting artists, creatives and performers producing unique and forward-thinking sounds, and pushing against cultural barriers where women, queer, and non-binary people are typically dismissed.
Other notable performances from All My Friends included unapologetic raver HALFQUEEN and East African rising star Kampire. Keeping community at its core, the stage also hosted Samantha, the founder of community studio Hub 16, while Dr. Martens supported stalls from South London-based salon Queens Peckham, supporting local businesses and offering attendees the chance to get blinged-out thanks to its talented array of hair, tooth and nail artists.
Sippin’ T’s takeover stood out among the multi-venue line-up for its inclusiveness not only of British queer artists, but of international acts as well. At such a tumultuous time for many queer and Trans communities around the world, connecting artists and attendees alike over their shared experiences, emotions and actions has never been more important.
Uniting LGBTQI+ communities further, Body Movements partnered with London Trans Pride as this year’s official charity partner.
Alongside the music, attendees were also invited to participate in a creative project led by photographer Bernice Mulenga. In collaboration with the Museum of Youth Culture, festival-goers could have their portrait taken by Mulenga and submitted to the museum, ensuring that historical archives will reflect the diverse nature of London dancefloors.
The partnership comes as part of Dr. Martens’ All Access initiative, a summer-long series of live music activities creating better access, opportunities, and experiences for underrepresented talent at community-focused festivals across Europe.
Below, see a gallery of festival-goers, fire fits and flourishing friendships from Sippin’ T’s All My Friends takeover at Body Movements festival.
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