Let’s Talk About Chemsex - Listening Party

An unashamedly electro-synth fantasy that speaks directly to anticipation, desire and sex. We hear multiple voices calling for needs and desires as anticipation and expectation of fulfilment build. However, the dance beats take us to another place. The track highlights not only a real need for unconditional acceptance and personal freedom but also associated anxiety and fears.

An extended laid back 8-minute track that speaks of longing and desire. The track is a mellow musing on an absence of intimacy. Contemplative and reflective, the voices speak like a stream of consciousness. “Paddling in the warmth of possibility” the track invites and seduces listeners to reflect on their own longings, desires, hopes and fears.  

Cheddar Gorgeous (A.K.A Dr Michael Atkins), is a Drag performer, visual artist and academic based in Manchester. He is a founding member of Manchester’s monthly home of the fabulous, Cha Cha Boudoir, and defines himself on Instagram as a Unicorn and superhero and idealist. In his performance work, Cheddar is particularly interested in disrupting the gender conventions often inherent in UK drag, by mixing and playing with signifiers of masculine and feminine beauty.

Niall O’Conghaile aka The Niallist is a music and podcast producer with over two decades of production experience. He is based at Salford’s Islington Mill and is Resident DJ at the legendary Manchester queer club Bollox. He has released music under a range of names over the past decade and currently produces the monthly “Islington Mill And…” podcast as well as the weekly Dead Air live DJ streams.

Rob Ralphs is a Professor of Criminology and Social Policy at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has conducted predominantly Greater Manchester-based research on drug use, youth gangs, drug markets, drug treatment and drug policy since the late 90s. Rob leads the annual research project ‘Greater Manchester Drug Trends (GM TRENDS)’ funded by the Greater Manchester Mayor’s office, which last year included a focus on ‘chemsex substances’ (‘G’ and crystal meth) and he recently conducted a Manchester Chemsex Partnership funded research project for the LGBT Foundation on the development of a digital chemsex space. 

Bradley is a participant in the Let’s Talk About Chemsex workshops. Based in Manchester for over 15 years now, it’s the place he now proudly calls home. Originally from Lancashire, growing up in the magical shadow of Pendle Hill, it was inevitable he wasn’t going to turn out quite ‘like the other boys’! He is learning now what a gift and opportunity that is. Cinema, music, literature and art amaze him and bring daily joy, comfort and expression.  

Jonas Roberts (Senior Programme Manager, Brighter Sound) leads on the curation and delivery of Brighter Sound’s emerging artist programme. He is in addiction recovery, interested in ways of navigating the music industry, with a focus on club music and culture in particular, through a recoverist lens. Brighter Sound is a music development organisation rooted in Manchester and open to the world. For 24 years they’ve been creating transformative experiences for young creatives, emerging artists and up-and-coming music professionals.