It’s August, it’s Pride, and this is the amazing Mr Affy Wajid.
Where can we hear you over Brighton Pride? This year’s been about organising something really big so I’m split between organising and DJ modes! You can catch me doing the latter at the Queer Takeover at the Pride Pleasure Gardens on Pride Saturday and the Love Disco tent at the LoveBN1Festival on the Pride Sunday.
What tune will you definitely HAVE to play? Whitney Houston’s Love Will Save the Day (Jellybean Benitez Mix).
What are you looking forward to most about Pride? With the support of Pride, Calabash is joining forces with Traumfrau and the Marlborough Pub to bring you the Queer Takeover – it’s going to be HUGE! We have a roster of amazing live artists and DJs performing over Pride weekend, culminating in us taking over the whole of the Old Steine Pride Pleasure Gardens on Saturday. Our music policy is very eclectic with a focus on music of Black and Asian origin. We have some really big names performing at the Marlborough and the Pleasure Gardens. The Queer Takeover aims to provide an inclusive space for people who don’t want to go to the park and want to celebrate Pride with other LGBTQ+ people and their allies. Details on the Pride website.
Favourite past Pride moment? I’ve been working with Pride since 2003. As a person of colour, in the early days we have had to fight for our Pride festival place. In 2005, I remember after a stressful time organising, fighting for representation and funding we managed to agree a smallish space. I played Don’t Leave Me this Way by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes at the end of my set and looked out over the decks and saw a sea of people filling our modest tent spilling out of our enclosure and surrounding areas, all singing every single word at the top of their voices. It made it all worth it.
Other DJ/music projects? I’m really busy with my regular club night, House of Go Bang at the Green Door Store, which is bi-monthly and attracts some big name DJ guests from the house and disco scene. I’m really chuffed to be involved with Bristol queer club outfit Bitch.Please, which will be starting in Brighton on August 17. I’ve recently paused my regular radio show with my husband on 1BTN.FM to focus on other stuff, including a community project with the station. I’m also planning to start vogue dance workshops in the autumn.
Guilty pleasure? Sylvester – everything that he has done particularly You Make Me Feel… Also I’m addicted to EastEnders!
Describe yourself in three words! Dancing. Disco. Diva.
Affy Wajid’s current top five
♦ Sophie Lloyd Calling Out (Mr K Edit) Classic
♦ Andromeda Orchestra Get Up & Dance (Nick The Record Mix) Faze Action
♦ Womack & Womack Missing Persons Bureau (Knuckles mix) Island
♦ Change Hit Or Miss Nova 017 Ltd
♦ Roisin Murphy Plaything (Maurice Fulton mix) Vinyl Factory
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