Sophia Ahmed

This session unpacks the creative learning journey at the heart of Saffron Pakistan 2025, a collaborative programme with Saffron UK designed to support young women and non-binary musicians. Structured in three stages, the programme began by building confidence and artistic identity, progressed into songwriting and lyric development, and culminated with music production and composition. Together, these stages form a holistic and inclusive model that empowers emerging artists to find and amplify their voice. @raphay.music @mahnooorshahh @sofa_sofa_uk #Arts #SoundScape2025

Garage magnate and purveyor of the rarest rhythms, Bristol’s Sofa Sofa has been bubbling up in the local scene with her playful blends and infectious 4/4 energy. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of the 90s and 00s, her selections channel nostalgia while keeping things fresh on the dancefloor. She’ll play tracks so nice you gotta hear them twice – echoing the spirit of her name. @sofa_sofa_uk

🚨 GARAGE PARADISE 🚨 The ultimate night of UK & US underground house & garage is back! 🎶🔥 📍 Basing House 25 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8AA 🗓 Saturday 29th November ⏰ 10PM – 4AM Line-up locked and loaded: 🎧 Jeremy Sylvester 🎧 Brasstooth 🎧 Mikey DJ 🎧 DJ Whooshhh 🎧 Lord Byron 🎧 Sofa Sofa 🎤 MCs: Onyx Stone & Fevasoul 🍭 Free lollipop on entry! ⚠️ NO ID – NO ENTRY 🎟 Early Bird ❌ 🎟 2nd Release ❌ 🚨 Final Release ON SALE NOW! ✅ 🎫 Grab your tickets now 👉 ra.co/events/2237120 (Or link in bio) or visit 🔗 This. Will. Sell. Out. 💥 #GarageParadise #UKGarage #HouseMusic #ShoreditchNights #BasingHouse #LondonRaves #UndergroundVibes #JeremySylvester #Brasstooth #GarageHeads #HouseHeads

@saffronrecords is officially 10 years old! 🎉 My own Saffron story started with @mixnights , which to this day remains one of the best experiences of my life. I’ll never stop singing the praises of @daisymoons , @em_williams + @danielle__dj for teaching me how to DJ. 7 years later and I’m now hosting festival takeovers (WTF!) Honestly, never in my wildest dreams did I expect that. That’s the magic of education and nurturing a community. I’m just one of hundreds of “Saffronites” with a story to tell. It's proof that what Saffron is doing, is having an impact. My passion? Being a cog in the glorious Saffron machine, helping others reach their goals as music artists or industry professionals. The stories of growth and success I’ve witnessed are nothing short of sensational. I count myself incredibly lucky to have a job I love and for that I owe huge thanks to @lauralewispaul — thank you for trusting me with your first baby! To the dream team @lizzy_proverb , @billiegeorge_ , @em_williams you’re an inspiration to work with. Caring, innovative and just bloody brilliant. And to all our tutors (past + present) YOU ARE RIDICULOUSLY FANTASTIC! None of this happens without your talent and dedication. So here’s to another decade of impact, music and making magic happen! 🥂 P.S. —If anyone knows anyone with loads of money, consider throwing it @saffronrecords ’s way so we can keep doing good things for the music industry- Nice one x oh! and also come to both our parties tomorrow, thanks xx @em_williams @daisymoons @danielle__dj @yushh____ @itsroseholland @radiotilly @medismarley @echojulietdj @romoweeks @_mini.dj @glademarie @manamii.b @toney_baloney @ohmydais_dj @larajonesmusic @ary_maudit @giuliatess @shanticeleste @saoirse_music @okwilliams_ @j_oh_zee @outsiderspeaks @princess_trium @sanitythemc

During a euphoric Sunday night in the FM main tent last year — my favourite moment of the weekend. After stepping away from event duties, surrounded by the heros who make FM so special. That night, House of Garage was born. From the very beginning, FM has always made space for Garage legends and as a self proclaimed GG, it’s kept me very happy. So when I pitched the idea of a takeover, the team backed it immediately and I couldn’t be more grateful and excited to share what we've got lined up. This year, we're keeping the tradition alive and taking it up a notch: @aforalphaaa – Young, fresh, and dripping in 90s influence, A for Alpha is a true pioneer of the underground sound and a dear friend of mine so buzzing to invite her along for her first FM experience!! @bigangmusicofficialuk – They say you can’t spell Sheffield without Bassline, and you definitely can’t spell Bassline without Big Ang, need I say more? @jeremysylvesteruk – A certified Garage G.0.D with roots deep in the origins, Jeremy brings the NRG and a timeless sound to the Sputnik! House of Garage is a love letter to UKG– past, present, and future. Let’s lock it in. 🔒 Love you @fieldmaneuvers xx (Big ups to @alfie_allen_ who's smashed it again on the artwork this year)

It's a big fat bank holiday, and to celebrate we've lined up 4 big fat B2Bs for the weekend! Tonight come and check out power couple @bae2.bae for anthems, classics and pumpers, before @boogiecaferecs and @seanmccabemusic team up for tomorrow night. Saturday it's everyone's favourite duo, Bristols own Batman and Robin (you can decide which is which), @felixjoy and @dontadmitdefeat ! Cheeky side note and date for your calendar - @dontadmitdefeat will be hosting our first music quiz on Tuesday 29th May... And then smashing out bank holiday Sunday we have the garage and party pairing of @sofa_sofa_uk and @katiebilbo_ Big one incoming! 🍸

Introducing Legacy: A night to remember, a community to celebrate Three years ago, Bristol lost a true legend, Katy Melling. Her sudden passing had a huge impact on many close to her. Katy was a force of nature and if she could have chosen how to be remembered, it would undoubtedly involve a massive celebration with everyone she loved. So, that's exactly what we're doing—throwing the party she would have wanted! Not only will we be dancing the night away in her honor but we’ll also be raising funds for @caringinbristol , a charity that was incredibly important to Katy. All profits from the night will be donated to support their work. Let’s come together as a community, celebrate Katy’s legacy, and make a positive impact in her name. A few of Katy's favourite selectors 😉 taking the reins at her favourite dancing spot @theloveinnbristol @katiebilbo_ @chezdemilo @elliestokesdj Sofa Sofa Ticket link in bio 👆

So finally, after bleating on about it and teasing it out all summer, here finally are the details of our 20th birthday weekend shenanigans. 20 years we’ve had to get ready for this moment, and in true Pipe style we’re getting it out a week before! 😂 Kicking things off on Thursday 7th, we’ve got a special back to back from @djbendaley and @sofa_sofa_uk , with a UK Garage special, to take us steaming out of the traps like a thoroughbred rave greyhound. Friday 8th you can catch @pato_ranton on the @felixjoy breakfast show on @swu.fm from 10am - midday, talking about 20 years of the Pipe, before they head directly to the pub to be joined by longstanding Pipe residents @dontadmitdefeat and @partyresponse for a classic Friday night dancing-on-tables Pipe knees-up. Saturday 9th we’re doing a little private event in the daytime with all the staff and family over the years, before we fling the doors wide open at 7pm and invite you lot to join us for an evening of musical entertainment provided by the Pipe and Slippers all stars, featuring sets from the crew from over the last two decades. Sunday sees Tucha doing her legendary Sunday roasts as normal during the day for all the hangover crew, before Sunday Club kicks off at about 7pm, for the monthly weekend afters session, in the best tradition of the Pipe Sunday fundays over the years, and featuring a host of rotating monthly residents from the finest crack on merchants Bristol has to offer. This months resident DJs - whichever ones are still going on Sunday night. So there it is. 20 years of The Pipe and Slippers. We actually opened in June 2004 but whatever really, we’re doing it in November. Come to one of them, come to all of them! But whatever happens, do try to come and join us to celebrate the fact we’ve somehow managed to keep The Pipe going for 20 years!!! Long live The Pipe and Slippers and out to all the crew involved over the last two decades! ❤️

Happy Birthday Babes!! Miss you everyday! But days like today give us the chance to reflect on how much joy and love you brought to life! Thank you for all the fun times. Couple of pics here from your "illegal birthday" 2020 Love you always xxxx P.S - bumflap still lives on

It's Gemini season!! I thought I'd combine my birthday this year with a chance to play at one of my favourite boozers in Bristol aaaaaand I get to invite these bunch of legends along to play as well. @hellosafiye b2b @dj.spicyivy @bae2.bae Myself b2b @katiebilbo_ @elliestokesdj b2b @chezdemilo If you're up for a cheeky fun Thursday night, head to the @pipeslippers tomorrow eve from 8pm 🥳🥳

Creating Community Authentically speakers… 🔊 Our good pal @sofa_sofa_uk representing @saffronrecords !❤️ Saffron is a non-profit organisation, whose mission has been to advance gender equality in music technology, by creating safer spaces for marginalised folks to learn, create and grow confidently through technological music creation. Since launching in Bristol in 2015, Saffron has had a measurable impact across the UK and globally online. Their forward-thinking projects for women, trans and non-binary folks are driven by the communities they serve, providing unique opportunities that pave tangible career pathways in the technological arts for hundreds of people each year. Sophia heads up Saffron’s educational arm which consists of multi city beginner courses in DJing, music production, sound engineering and radio broadcasting. These short courses are fun, safe and creative spaces and are often people’s first experiences with music/tech. Saffron welcomes people to be part of a community that is inclusive and collaborative. Sophia’s professional history is rooted in youth and community work. With over 10 years of experience, she has gained valuable insights and expertise in designing and delivering projects that foster connections among individuals while facilitating the growth and enhancement of their personality and vocational abilities. Who’s excited for tonights event?! We’ll see you at @roughtradebristol from 6pm 🤝 #ElevateUsBristol #BigTeamCIC

Well… where to start Besides being renowned as one of Bristol's premier destinations for dance music, @theloveinnbristol holds a special place in my heart for many reasons but to sum it up: ⚽️🍌 Since day one, they've supported @banana.f.c . With their unhesitating support, we not only look fucking lit 🔥 on the pitch but we also find comfort in the venue itself, a vibrant community hub, delivering us the best entertainment whenever we are there. Their sponsorship isn't just about logos on our kits, it's about fostering a bond that enriches every moment we share as a team. Thank you for always believing in us!! We're bringing that trophy home this season.. UTB!! 🎧🎵 It is the venue in which I played my first ever DJ set. After completing @mixnights (Big ups), The Love Inn hosted our showcase event, an unforgettable experience that marked a huge milestone for me!! 🫂♥️ Their ongoing support for the @mixnights and @saffronrecords community is truly amazing. From offering their venue for events and educational projects to welcoming Mix Nights graduates onto their eclectic lineups, The Love Inn delivers nothing but genuine dedication to nurturing talent and championing inclusivity for our local music scene. Thank you for all your support :) 💃👯‍♀️ I’m there all the time LOL!!! Whether that’s delivering a Saffron project, watching the Lionesses win the Euros, nomming a tatsy @dannys_burgers_uk , drinking delicious drinks + dancing to some banging tunes prvided by great DJ's or chatting someone's ear off for hours in the kitchen 😂 🥳🙏 and now they’ve only gone and asked me to be part of the 10th birthday weekend line up!! SOOOOO BUZZING FOR THIS ONE!! Get yourself down there at some point Thurs - Sun, its going to be a marathon! 🙌❤️ Last and certainly not least, the team , what a bunch of legends! I love you all and you should be so proud of what you’ve achieved!! @elliestokesdj @idoplumes @rhod__ and the whole crew at @teamlove_productions Congrats on making it to 10 years! It's all in the name, it's all LOVE ❤️ 😍