SONOS CLUB : AMELIA LEIGH
Amelia Leigh is a DJ and producer based in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Amelia Leigh is quickly becoming a standout name in Newcastle’s underground music scene. With her eclectic mix of bouncy basslines, energetic 4x4 beats, and a fusion of footwork with breaky rhythms. Her DJ sets are high-energy, genre-blending affairs that are anything but ordinary.
Amelia has recently become a resident of BIG Fat Rave and currently manages two events 'ROOD!' & 'WheelUp' playing a significant role in shaping the scene through her work and producing on the side. She’s shared the stage with respected artists like Serum, [IVY], Sammy Virji, Sota, Pola and Bryson, Disrupta, Oldboy, KARA and many more.
INTERVIEW
What made you fall in love with DJing, and how has your approach evolved?
AMELIA LEIGH: I think a fall in love over and over with Djing every single time I touch decks or share an experience with people over music. Every time is a brand new experience and each moment I share whether that be with friends supporting a set of theirs, having a gig with them backstage and in the crowd, running events or even just messing around at an afters hopping on a b2b, there isn’t a singular moment I can pinpoint that is explicit to what made me fall in love with the art and the culture. I’m in a long term relationship with music and how it’s connected me to so many lovely people as being in my life since my mum conceived me and whacked records on vinyl for me to listen to in the womb.
How do you craft a sound that feels personal while still connecting with a wider audience?
AMELIA LEIGH: I love anything with tasteful chops and bobs that makes me jump out of my seat when I find it or I have on repeat through my headphones. Every single song I play has elements of songs I grew up with when I was younger or are even remixes made by me or others that are defining songs of my childhood and adult years.
Are there any unexpected influences that have shaped your music selection or style?
AMELIA LEIGH: Joy Division and New Order as a mancuinion were a staple for me as a child and young adolescent as well as other bands in that niche indie electronic genre like LCD Sound system. Honestly, indie music as a whole was surprisingly influential for me throughout my teen years as I would go to 4+ gigs a week and seeing how artists maintained a crowd is very ingrained into me even though the worlds couldn’t be more different. Then, when I was 17 I ended up in this random attic in Miles Platting just outside of Manchester after photographing a band (don’t tell my mum) and they were playing the electronic music she had all the vinyls for and everyone was smoking inside and dancing freely with a homemade rig and it changed my life. My mum’s vinyl collection included bands like Eurasia, Soft Cell and a lot of trance electronic music on Factory Records and compilation albums like that’s ‘Now That’s What I Call Music!’. They became damaged after a leak we had during Covid so I cleaned and salvaged her old records and repackaged them and fell in love with electronic music all over again when I found myself googling all the songs during the process and playing them as I went. I did also like tarot dubstep when I was younger along with the Nero and Skrillex era.
How do you keep your sets fresh and unpredictable?
AMELIA LEIGH: A set from me is never the same and a time capsule of that exact point in time for my USB. I am constantly combining older songs I’ve scoured for that are set staples with new tunes I’m either producing or have been sent by select producers I know personally and love. The only other way a song makes it on he stick is if I hear it somewhere and immediately it makes me giddy. My sets also tend to bounce around genres a lot and I love throwing silly remixes and done edits with serious heavy hitting breaks and hearty baselines. I want the crowd to song and then stop just as they want a cigarette because of a tune they know and love that’s reworked or a twist from the last song that keeps them in the dance.
Do you prefer to plan your sets in advance or go with the flow based on the crowd?
AMELIA LEIGH: Go with the flow everytime! I maybe know my first few tunes or the odd double at a push but the amount of times I’ve been at a rave and changed my mind based on the vibe is way more than when I’ve gone in with tunes prepared. I spend hours scouring platforms and curating my sound and even though I freestyle every, I have 5 potential tunes for every one I play dependant on what the crowd energy is and where I’d like to go with the set. I know my usb inside and out even though it looks extremely unorganised and random!
The life of a DJ can be demanding. How do you maintain balance and take care of your mental health?
AMELIA LEIGH: Taking social media breaks is key. The amount of people that tell me my content will flop if I stop posting is derange. I can schedule if absolutely necessary but even after breaks I’ve had content pop off and during burnout phases of being chronically online and actively posting I’ve had it flop. Knowing your limits and also the fact that social media is part of your job you’re can’t clock out of means you need to be mindful. Anytime I feel myself getting overwhelmed I just delete apps on my phone and either go and touch grass, grab some hearty food or allow myself a bed day without guilt. I use to overwork myself and force posting and now I only pos be cause I feel like I want to share exciting things or connect with friends - but in the digital age we have to remember we can do that in person just as much!
When you’re feeling stuck creatively, what helps you regain your flow and inspiration?
AMELIA LEIGH: Talking to my friends and asking what they’re working on even if that necessarily doesn’t mean a collaboration, just seeing people smash it inspires me and gets the cogs turning. Going out to events helps my think of production ideas too whether I hear a tunes to remix or elects I want to transform into another track. I have a notes app of nonsense I try to make sense of later and can usually grab inspiration from. I also will just put on visuals on my laptop or a movie I would consider artistic in style as a person who doesn’t watch many but has many I will go back to each time as a now ex-cinephile median student.
How do you see yourself within the music scene and the world at large what impact do you hope to have?
AMELIA LEIGH: I think that’s something I’m still building! I know how passionate I am but I’m not quite there with the imposter syndrome just yet although my growth has been huge on self confidence over the past 2 years when I started my music journey.
What’s one lesson or piece of advice that has stuck with you throughout your career?
AMELIA LEIGH: Take breaks when you need to and don’t burn yourself out for any set no matter how big! Sets will come and go but looking after yourself and your mental health is always more important.
How do you think electronic music culture is evolving in terms of inclusivity and diversity?
AMELIA LEIGH: I’ve seen a lot more diversity on lineups in terms of gender and different cultures being platformed in the events and production sphere. I do however think there’s a huge way to go. I’ve talked to lots of DJ’s who feel they are being used as the token woman, POC, queer or just general “representation” booking and as a result have been paid less or treated worse than the rest of the lineup which happens way more often than you would think or it should be happening. I’m also regularly seeing lineups which are undiverse still including festival lineups which in my opinion is lazy in 2025. There are so many talented individuals who are musicians from all walks of life, different cultures and backgrounds who deserve their flowers and who would smash any lineup they’re on.
What do you think DJs can do to push the scene forward in a more meaningful way?
AMELIA LEIGH: Speak out against injustices and express yourself through music. If you’re a booker/promoter check yourself regularly on whether your lineups are diverse. DJ’s making sure their USB’s have songs that aren’t just platforming one demographic. Music is the ultimate tool of resistance when used correctly.
If you could curate your dream lineup for a festival or event, who would be on it?
AMELIA LEIGH: Jaz Imsky, Neenzy, Shirley Temper, POLO LILI, Vxrgo, melba, Sherelle, DJ Flight, Sez, Milzy, Slinki, Peppa, Calibre with SP:MC, Manga Saint Hilaire, Neffa-T, Bakey b2b Chimpo , [IVY] b2b Mandidextrous and in terms of takeovers Hoover Sounds, Big Fat Rave, Jungyals and gays and Dubtendo.
What’s a festival, venue, or country you dream of performing in, and why?
AMELIA LEIGH: Anyone who knows me knows I will always sat Boomtown every single time even if I have already done it, but I also went to Outlook Origins in Tisno this year with Big Fat Rave and it was the most beautiful experience. I’d love to DJ there, the culture and community feel was unmatched and the sets I watched were some of the craziest, genuinely mind blowing sets I’ve ever witnessed.
Outside of music, is there a passion project or creative goal you’d love to explore?
AMELIA LEIGH: Music will always be my main passion project every single time. I’ve been a photographer, videographer, and I’ve done a hell of a lot of side quests but music is always going to be my baby.
SONOS CLUB is an initiative from Sounds of Craft Records, designed to highlight the eclectic electronic music scene through the perspectives of the BIPOC diaspora and marginalized communities, while being open to all.
