Annabelle Forse: Early Career Promoter Fund
Develop AbsentAntiks to become a nationally recognised female led Drum and Bass brand taking grassroots female artists to a national and global level.
AbsentAntiks is a Manchester-based drum and bass events company founded in 2022 by promoter Abo Forse. Established with the aim of addressing gender imbalance within the drum and bass scene. AbsentAntiks focuses on championing female DJs, MCs, producers and creatives while putting on high-quality, welcoming events.
Since launching, AbsentAntiks has delivered 12 events in venues such as SOUP, YES, Deaf Institute, The Eagle Inn, Stage&Radio, XLR, booked 34 artists, and hosted a stage takeover at Westival Festival in 2025. Through a strong grassroots approach, AbsentAntiks has built a supportive community within Manchester’s local scene and developed a reputation for thoughtful programming, hard work and consistently strong events. Abo has built a solid network across Manchester’s local scene and continues to develop AbsentAntiks as a platform rooted in collaboration, representation and progression.
For Abo’s latest project, supported by the PRS Early Career Promoter Fund, AbsentAntiks will present three DnB events across Manchester venues, Kable, SOUP and Ambers. Each night will be led by established female headlining artists and supported by a carefully selected mix of emerging local DJs. The project aims to strengthen connections within Manchester’s underground drum and bass community, create visible opportunities for underrepresented artists, create diverse lineups and expand the brand’s visibility.
Beyond the shows themselves, the project aims to strengthen connections across Manchester’s underground community and also grow AbsentAntiks outside of Manchester within the next year, positioning the brand in an inviting space for new collaborations with festivals and drum and bass promoters. This will also support Abo’s reputation as an ambitious promoter whilst continuing her development in promotion, marketing and audience building; helping to lay the foundations for a more balanced and sustainable future within the scene and position AbsentAntiks as a leading name in supporting grassroots artists in the UK music industry.