Decolonise Fest 2026: energetic, expressive and gloriously loud
Punks of colour took over Signature Brew Blackhorse Road for this year’s Decolonise Fest, featuring Mashaal and Baby Said on the lineup, for an energetic, expressive and gloriously loud weekend.
South Asian Goth Bands
Goth music is seeing a resurgence, though you might be less aware of the South Asian people who are part of and influencing this. Here’s our list of the South Asian bands and artists at the forefront of the goth resurgence.
Book Review: Determination by Tawseef Khan
Determination is the debut novel of Tawseef Khan, released in June 2024. Drawing on his background as an immigration solicitor, Tawseef’s Determination follows the story of immigration solicitor, Jamila Shah, as she runs the family law firm and navigates her clients through hostile immigration policies.
Interview with British Tamil artist Kapil Seshasayee
We chat with London-based British Tamil artist Kapil Seshasayee about Carnatic improv, fashion and what to expect at his upcoming London headline debut.
Live Review: Karma Sheen at The 100 Club
An epic night at the iconic 100 Club from London’s psychedelic Hindustani rock band Karma Sheen. It felt like being in a movie and it was a night not to be missed, with support from British Tamil art rocker Kapil Seshasayee.
Manchester Punk Festival 2025 – Notes from our panel discussion
Our collective member and punk aficionado, Tayyaba, recently hosted a panel discussion at Manchester Punk Festival 2025 with panellists Riaz, vocalist of Grail Guard and Prav, drummer of Reason To Leave. Below are notes from the discussions – have a read and check out their bands.
Sym Gharial: Punk Chaos and Cultural Catharsis
In conversation with Sym Gharial about music, identity and the strange allure of the glorious abyss that is punk.
Interview with Kieran Dhanjal, guitarist of Ishtar Terra
Kieran Dhanjal, guitarist and founder of extreme metal band Ishtar Terra chats with Meerat Kaur about life, music and his love for the heaviest of metal ahead of the release of the band's debut EP 'Isolator'.
We Are Lady Parts returns for its 'villain era’
Nida Manzoor's We Are Lady Parts returns for its much-anticipated second series on Channel 4. The British TV series follows all-female Muslim punk band Lady Parts as they navigate friendship, love and music in London.
Interview with Alexandra D’Sa – cast member of new play SILENCE exploring Partition
SILENCE, the new play from Tara Theatre, brings personal testimonies from Partition to life on stage – to break the silence. Swetha Charles interviews cast member Alexandra D’sa about her relationship to Partition and her thoughts on the play.
Interview with Dalit rights academic and activist Dr Suraj Yengde
Leading Dalit rights academic and author of Caste Matters (2019) Dr Suraj Yengde recently featured in Origin, the film based on the life of journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she writes the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Puja Nandi chats with Suraj about the film, Dalit rights and the diaspora’s lack of engagement in conversations around casteism.
Interview Arvin Bancil – Popes Of Chillitown bassist
Arvin Bancil, bassist in London-based ska/punk/dub/reggae band Popes Of Chillitown, chats to WEIRDO ahead of their headline set at Gorilla for Manchester Punk Festival.
WEIRDO Collective at Manchester Punk Festival 2024
“Both Manchester Punk Festival and WEIRDO have given me such a sense of belonging.” WEIRDO Collective members reflect on their time at Manchester Punk Festival 2024 and share highlights from the sets of Saffiyah Khan, Popes of Chillitown, KILL, THE ICON! and King Prawn.
The Rise of South Asian Diaspora Narratives in Gaming
As the gaming world diversifies the narratives and stories being told, Neil Parmar shares his thoughts on the rise of South Asian diaspora gaming narratives in games like Venba and Thirsty Suitors.
Origin: depicting Isabel Wilkerson’s extraordinary book on caste
Origin, tells the story of Isabel Wilkerson as she embarks on writing and publishing her book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents was published. Starring Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and directed by Ava DuVernay (When They See Us, 13th). From Nazi Germany to caste discrimination in India, this film explores how people can be capable of such hate.
South Asian Women in Rock Music
A non-exhaustive list of South Asian women making rock music. When people ask “where are all the South Asian women in rock music?” send them this list!
Ithaca's Sam Chetan-Welsh on the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in metal
Neil Parmar interviews Sam Chetan-Welsh, a guitarist and a founding member of British metalcore band Ithaca, about how his Indian heritage has informed his music and the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in metal. This interview is part of WEIRDO’s ‘We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji’ series.
Urvah Khan: Scrap rock, self-belief and success across borders
Zee Ahmed interviews Canadian-Pakistani musician and festival organiser Urvah Khan about being a Pakistani kid growing up with the music scene in Toronto, reconciling Muslim tradition with Western culture, and what inspired her to start ScrapFest. This interview is part of WEIRDO’s ‘We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji’ series.