Jia Lissa
The Barbican, one of Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venues, is significantly expanding its critically acclaimed late-night party series, "anyone can dance," this summer, transforming its iconic Level -1 foyer into a vibrant hub for global diasporic music and culture. Following a sold-out launch event in February, the institution has unveiled the complete schedule for the five-event series, which promises to celebrate the rich tapestry of dance music originating from diverse communities worldwide through a dynamic blend of live performances, DJ sets, and immersive experiences. This initiative underscores the Barbican’s evolving commitment to showcasing contemporary global sounds and fostering inclusive, community-driven cultural engagement within its renowned Brutalist architecture.
A New Chapter in Barbican’s Nightlife Offerings
The "anyone can dance" series marks a deliberate and innovative step for the Barbican into the realm of late-night programming, extending its cultural influence beyond traditional gallery and concert hall hours. Each event, running from 11 PM to 3 AM, is meticulously designed to align with the Barbican’s broader artistic and educational programming, creating a synergistic experience that enhances visitors’ engagement with the centre’s diverse offerings. The series not only provides a platform for emerging and established artists from various diasporas but also reimagines the use of the Barbican’s architectural spaces, inviting new audiences to experience the venue in a fresh, dynamic context.
The launch event in February, featuring a takeover by Eastern Margins, a London-based collective and label championing alternative East and South East Asian artists, set a high benchmark for the series. Its immediate sell-out status highlighted a significant demand within London for inclusive, high-quality late-night events that celebrate cultural diversity and innovative musical expression. This success has propelled the Barbican to fully commit to the series, ensuring a robust and diverse programme for the remainder of the year.
Chronology of Celebrations: Unveiling the "anyone can dance" Lineup
The upcoming events are strategically scheduled to coincide with and complement existing Barbican exhibitions and seasons, ensuring a cohesive cultural narrative throughout the year.
The series will continue on Saturday, May 2nd, with anyone can dance w/ Love in the Endz. This evening is dedicated to celebrating music from the Latin American diaspora, providing a vibrant sonic backdrop to the Barbican Art Gallery’s current Beatriz González exhibition. González, a pivotal figure in Colombian modern art, explores themes of memory, violence, and popular culture through her work, creating a profound dialogue with the musical selections of the night. The lineup for this event features Bogotá-born techno DJ Brenda, renowned for her high-energy sets and deep understanding of electronic rhythms; Chilean-born DJ Raff, a versatile artist known for blending Latin American influences with contemporary electronic sounds; and Spanish-Bolivian DJ and visual artist Sofy Suars, who promises a multisensory experience. The full line-up for this event, along with subsequent ones, will be progressively revealed on the Barbican website and its social media channels, building anticipation.
Moving into the summer, Saturday, July 25th, will see anyone can dance w/ ORII as an integral part of the Barbican’s multi-disciplinary summer season, "Project a Black Planet." This season is dedicated to highlighting African diaspora voices across music, performance, and visual arts, making the ORII event a crucial component in its celebration of Pan-African culture. The ORII collective is known for its dedication to showcasing the breadth and depth of African and Afro-diasporic sounds, promising an evening of rhythm and communal celebration that resonates with the season’s overarching themes.
The autumnal installment on Saturday, September 12th, will feature a takeover by London-based collective DAYTIMERS. Known for their vibrant events and commitment to fostering South Asian creative communities, DAYTIMERS will curate an evening of energetic DJ sets that celebrate music from South Asia and its diaspora. This event builds on DAYTIMERS’ reputation for creating inclusive spaces that amplify South Asian voices, further solidifying the Barbican’s role as a platform for diverse cultural expression. The collective recently gained acclaim for announcing simultaneous parties across eight global cities to celebrate its fifth anniversary, demonstrating its significant reach and influence within the global music scene.
Finally, the "anyone can dance" series will conclude on Saturday, November 7th, with the Beirut Groove Collective. Bringing their distinctive blend of music from the SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) region and its diaspora, the collective will deliver a late-night set that promises to be a powerful culmination of the series’ global journey. The Beirut Groove Collective is celebrated for its deep dives into rare grooves, funk, soul, and psychedelic sounds from the region, offering a unique sonic experience that transcends geographical boundaries.
The Barbican’s Vision: Cultivating Connected Dancefloors
Usher Mullins, a producer at the Barbican, articulated the core philosophy behind the series in a statement shared with DJ Mag. "At anyone can dance, you can travel the world via the UK collectives creating safe and connected dancefloors," Mullins stated. "Each night is co-curated with each collective to spotlight the local diasporic music bubbling on sound systems with customised sets that represent each crew in the space. At the Barbican, we welcome you to dance in connected joy while celebrating the global majority’s vast and varied contribution to our culture."
This statement highlights several key aspects of the Barbican’s approach:
- Global Journey: The series is designed as an auditory expedition, allowing attendees to experience diverse musical landscapes without leaving London.
- Community Co-Curation: The emphasis on co-curation with UK-based collectives ensures authenticity and directly supports grassroots cultural movements. This collaborative model empowers these communities to shape the narrative and soundscape of each event.
- Safe and Connected Spaces: The creation of inclusive and secure environments for dancing is paramount, reflecting a broader contemporary trend in nightlife that prioritizes wellbeing and respect.
- Celebrating the Global Majority: Mullins’ reference to the "global majority" underscores a commitment to decentring traditionally dominant cultural narratives and foregrounding the rich artistic contributions of non-Western cultures and diasporic communities. This aligns with a growing global movement towards decolonizing cultural spaces and amplifying diverse voices.
This proactive stance positions the Barbican not merely as a venue but as a cultural facilitator, actively engaging with and reflecting the multicultural fabric of London itself.
The Significance of Diasporic Music and Its Cultural Impact
The focus on global diasporas within the "anyone can dance" series is deeply significant. London is one of the world’s most diverse cities, home to communities from virtually every corner of the globe. Diasporic music is a powerful expression of cultural identity, resilience, and evolution, often blending traditional sounds with contemporary influences to create unique and innovative genres. By providing a prominent platform for these sounds, the Barbican is contributing to:
- Cultural Preservation and Innovation: Supporting artists who are both preserving ancestral musical traditions and pushing them into new, contemporary forms.
- Cross-Cultural Understanding: Facilitating dialogue and appreciation between different communities through the universal language of music and dance.
- Representation: Addressing historical underrepresentation of certain musical traditions in mainstream cultural institutions, offering a more equitable and inclusive cultural landscape.
- Community Building: Creating spaces where diasporic communities can celebrate their heritage and connect with wider audiences, strengthening social cohesion.
The success of the launch event, and the anticipated demand for subsequent parties, indicates a strong public appetite for authentic and diverse cultural experiences that move beyond commercial mainstream offerings. This series taps into a burgeoning interest in global sounds and the vibrant underground scenes that nurture them.
The Barbican’s Evolving Identity: Innovation and Renovation
The "anyone can dance" series is part of a broader narrative of evolution at the Barbican. Earlier this year, it was announced that the Barbican will close for 12 months in June 2028 for extensive renovation work. This upcoming transformation is expected to modernize facilities, improve accessibility, and enhance visitor experience, ensuring the Barbican remains a leading cultural institution for decades to come. However, before this closure, the institution is clearly committed to innovative programming that keeps it at the forefront of London’s cultural scene.
The Barbican has a history of creatively repurposing its spaces for unique cultural events. Last year, the venue transformed its subterranean car park into a temporary club space for the "Feel the Sound" exhibition, a testament to its willingness to experiment with unconventional settings. Additionally, it hosted "Rebel Radio," an event series exploring the profound influence of Britain’s pirate radio stations on UK culture and music. These initiatives demonstrate a consistent drive to explore new forms of engagement, embrace contemporary cultural phenomena, and activate its distinctive architectural environment in novel ways. The "anyone can dance" series builds on this legacy, further cementing the Barbican’s reputation as a dynamic and adaptable cultural hub.
Logistics and Broader Implications
Tickets for the next party, anyone can dance w/ Love in the Endz, will go on general sale this Friday, April 3rd, at 10 AM. Early booking is highly recommended, especially given the rapid sell-out of the inaugural event, with priority access granted to Barbican members. All "anyone can dance" events are strictly 18+, and attendees are required to bring an accepted form of legal identification to gain entry, reinforcing the commitment to responsible and safe event management. Further details and booking information are available on the Barbican’s official website.
The "anyone can dance" series holds significant implications beyond its immediate success. It serves as a model for how established cultural institutions can remain relevant and vital in a rapidly changing urban landscape. By embracing late-night programming, collaborating with grassroots collectives, and foregrounding diverse cultural narratives, the Barbican is not only attracting new audiences but also reinforcing its position as a dynamic and inclusive cultural leader. This initiative showcases how art, music, and community can converge to create truly transformative experiences, celebrating the "global majority’s vast and varied contribution to our culture" and inviting everyone to participate in the joyous act of dance. As London continues to evolve, the Barbican’s commitment to such innovative and inclusive programming ensures its enduring relevance as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life.
