Big Dyke Energy launch grant to save queer raves in the UK

The team behind London’s Big Dyke Energy have launched a new grant and fundraiser to support and uphold the UK’s queer raves.

The Save Queer Raves Grant is a “long-term initiative” providing financial support and mentorship to “queer, trans+, non-binary and intersex event organisers across the UK”.

The scheme aims to raise £15,000 to support 10 grassroots music organisers, both financially and with mentor support, for six months from February 2024. “If we raise more than this, we will run another programme in July 2024,” they explained.

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“The queer music scene thrives when it’s independent and diverse,” Big Dyke Energy said on Instagram yesterday. “However, escalating costs and promoter monopolies make it almost impossible for new and smaller event organisers to break through.”

They went on to add that they’ve already teamed up with “some of the UK’s biggest queer artists” on the initiative, and that the scene is in “desperate need” of a grant such as this.

“We've poured everything into BDE over the past four years, and it would mean the world to us if you could donate and/or share,” they added.

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By donating to the grant, BDE will give away a range of rewards and limited edition items including prints of event posters. A £5 raffle entry could also win you perks including your own toilet at BDE’s Venue MOT party this weekend, £1000 in cash, and festival tickets.

“Our queer scene really needs our support,” they said. “We feel so passionate about this, and we promise that if we make this amount, we will put our all into ensuring this scene continues to be run independently by queers, for queers.”

Find out how to support Big Dyke Energy’s Save Queer Raves Grant here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter