Come Play With Me: Empowering underrepresented artists in the North of England

Come Play With Me (CPWM) is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive and diverse music industry. Based in Leeds, CPWM plays a vital role in the North of England’s music community, offering tailored career development to creatives from marginalized backgrounds through its record label, events and workshops.

Through its Come Platform Me program, CPWM has supported emerging promoters such as Drip and EN:YO to book respected DJs like Shanti Celeste and Freshta, while spotlighting powerful events like Azúcar Presents, which addresses colonial legacies in music while creating community. At this year’s I Know A Place conference at Leeds City Museum, CPWM partnered with previous Diversity + Parity Fund recipient Saffron Music to host an Ableton Live production workshop with Pops Roberts and an Intro to DJing session led by Rat Party.

Starting as a 7” singles club in 2015, Come Play With Me Records has since evolved into a vital platform showcasing some of the most exciting talent from the North of England, including English Teacher, Graft and Bored At My Grandmas House. Today, the label continues to champion new voices through initiatives like Next Up North – the region’s first artist development program designed specifically to support marginalized genders and sexualities.

Alongside the label, CPWM runs its flagship conference I Know A Place, which centers women and people of marginalized genders across the music industry. Past editions have featured appearances from Corinne Bailey Rae, Lava La Rue, Debbie Googe and Nadia Khan. The organization also facilitates shadowing opportunities for engineers, photographers and other creatives through its broader development programs.

In 2022, CPWM was honored with the Diversity in the Workplace award at the Music Week Women In Music Awards, and more recently, was nominated as one of the Top 10 Charity or Community Initiatives at the British LGBT Awards. This growing recognition has led to increased demand for CPWM’s consultancy and workshops, helping other organizations build sustainable support for the LGBTQ+ community.

With the closure of beloved venues including Wire, Sheaf St. and The Old Red Bus Station, Leeds’ electronic music scene has faced significant challenges in recent years. Through grassroots programs and accessible workshops, CPWM is investing in the next generation of DJs, promoters and music professionals – ensuring the city’s club culture not only survives but evolves into something even stronger.