Emma Ryalls : Early Career Promoter Fund
Concise Description of activity: To scale up Groove Junction events in Salisbury by working with a bigger venue and booking disabled artists from around the UK.
Bio: Groove Junction is where music and inclusion meet on the dancefloor. The music industry has made strides in diversity, but disabled performers are still too often left in the shadows. Groove Junction’s mission is to show that inclusion isn’t an “extra”—it’s the baseline. At every event, the impact ripples far. For performers—especially disabled DJs and artists—Groove Junction is more than a gig: it’s a chance to shine, a platform to be celebrated, and an opportunity to shift how audiences see disability in music culture. Two resident disabled performers are at the heart of the project, and the team is actively seeking more incredible talent from across the region—from blind and deaf artists to performers with physical and cognitive disabilities. Emerging DJs also get the opportunity to play alongside established names, building confidence, skills, and lasting connections. Starting early next year, Groove Junction’s events will take place in Salisbury in the South West of the UK. The city has had few options for diverse, exciting nightlife that truly puts DJ and dance culture front and centre. Groove Junction is filling that gap with parties curated with care and powered by music first. From glitter-soaked disco to bass-heavy jungle, deep house grooves to the bounce of UK Garage, their sets go where other venues won’t—and audiences are embracing it. People of all ages say how refreshing it feels to experience music that reflects them, and to see disabled and non-disabled artists sharing the stage as equals. Groove Junction’s promise is simple: when audiences step inside, they see themselves represented, they hear music that moves them, and they leave knowing that true inclusion doesn’t just sound good—it feels unforgettable.