Turn The Tables: Electronic music project to support people facing homelessness in Scotland

People facing homelessness across Scotland are to receive support from a new social enterprise project based around electronic music.

The Homelessness DJ Project, organised by Turn The Tables, will see people given the chance to learn to mix and perform their own DJ sets.

Launching in May, the project has received backing from Creative Scotland, as well as an array of venues, channels and music industry professionals.

Legendary techno duo Slam and renowned Glasgow-based DJ, producer and label boss Nightwave have joined as ambassadors.

The project will take participants through three creative stages, from beginner to pro, ultimately leading to a live stream performance. Participants will perform their own DJ set that will be broadcast to the world via social media from the enterprise’s partnered music venues.

Robbie Tolson, Turn The Tables founder and director, said: “The Creative Scotland funding is a real life-line during the pandemic, allowing us to restart our outreach work.

“It’s great to see Creative Scotland backing an electronic music project when the scene has been so badly impacted this year. We are committed to proving DJing is viable and it is changing people’s lives.”

In Glasgow, The Homelessness DJ Project has partnered with Groove City Radio and the Sub Club, and will work alongside third sector organisations to bring the workshops to people facing homelessness across the city.

In Edinburgh, where Turn The Tables was initially set-up three years ago, the project will be moving into new, official premises in Granton, into the state of the art EH5 studio.

Members of the public will be given the opportunity to learn to DJ while contributing to Turn The Tables’ mission, following a pay it forward model where proceeds are reinvested back into the project.

Slam said: “We are extremely happy and honoured to be onboard as ambassadors for this amazing project. Hopefully we can give knowledge, understanding and inspiration to empower those who need it most for this worthy cause. We are also working on some exciting event collaborations that will give Turn The Tables users a live platform and look forward to sharing news on that soon.”

Nightwave said: “Club culture and DJing have done so much for my mental health, confidence and general happiness and I believe everyone should have a chance to experience these benefits. This is why I’m honoured to support Turn The Tables and show others how empowering DJing can be. There is a lot of talk about inclusivity in electronic music and I believe this should be intersectional and support everyone, especially those with less fortunate starts in life.”

The concept behind Turn The Tables was sparked when Tolson, a Heriot Watt Town Planning and Property Development Graduate from Stirling, signed up to volunteer at Edinburgh’s Social Bite Village homelessness support community in 2018.

From here, Robbie successfully set up various DJ workshops and gigging opportunities for people living in hostels or facing homelessness. The opportunity to learn to mix, operate professional sound and light equipment, and reconnect with the music they love, while socialising in a safe environment, was an invaluable experience for those involved.

Jamie Houston, Music Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Through this project Turn the Tables are creating new opportunities that can make a positive impact on the lives of people facing homelessness. A programme offering expert led learning in DJ skills, from basic up to a professional level, and to take part in a live streamed performance will be empowering, inspiring and rewarding.”