Collective Spotlight: HE. SHE. THEY
In this series, we shine a light on up-and-coming collectives who are carving their own path while pushing underground culture forward.
On any given weekend, somewhere between London, Ibiza and Mumbai, you’ll find a dance floor pulsing under the banner of HE.SHE.THEY, the global club collective that’s turned inclusivity into an art form. Their parties are more than just raves; they’re a reclamation of what nightlife was always meant to be — free, expressive and radically diverse.
“The problem with diversity and inclusion isn’t just limited to dance floors — it’s society-wide,” said Steven Braines in a November 2021 interview with Notion.
It’s this awareness that defines the ethos of HE.SHE.THEY. A movement born out of love for house and techno, and rooted in the community spirit that birthed them.
Origins and Ethos
Founded in 2018 by Steven Braines and Sophia Kearney, HE.SHE.THEY began as an act of rebellion against exclusivity, homogeneity, and the creeping corporatisation of club culture. “Parties were created to be ‘a place without prejudice for people to be people’ … irrespective of age, race, sex, gender, ability, religion, background or sexual preference,” the pair explained in their Notion interview.
From its earliest nights in London to its recent takeover at Creamfields in Chile, HE.SHE.THEY has stayed true to that mission, with clear priorities: “It’s about our morals and being consistent with each project that we do,” Kearney said.
Every decision — from the artists they book to the partnerships they accept — is filtered through that lens of integrity. “We’ve turned down a lot of brands. If it feels like it’s purely performative then it’s not the one,” said Braines.
Building a Global Family
What started as a single night in London has since evolved into an international movement. HE.SHE.THEY events have taken over dance floors from Berlin to Brooklyn, building what Braines describes as a “community built on diversity and inclusion.”
“It’s been fun and exhausting, but more fun,” he said in a July 2023 interview with Notion. “It’s really nice to connect with the HE.SHE.THEY family around the world, and it gives me so much hope that in so many different countries and cities there is so much community built on diversity and inclusion.”
Despite their global reach, the collective’s curation remains deeply personal. “We just look for people we’d like to rave to at a festival. It’s as simple as that,” said Braines.
Each night is an experiment — a space where self expression sits centre stage. A HE.SHE.THEY crowd is a kaleidoscope of self-expression. You’ll find drag performers next to leather-clad ravers, queer kids dancing with old-school club veterans. The result is a rare kind of energy: a feeling of belonging that transcends the typical club experience.
The Sound and the Scene
Musically, HE.SHE.THEY lives at the intersection of underground and avant-garde. Their parties feature a seamless blend of house, techno, breakbeat and left-field electronic sounds — always with a focus on emotional connection and inclusivity.
Their artist roster has included some of the most respected names in dance music — Bimini, I. JORDAN, Maya Jane Coles, Honey Dijon, Cakes Da Killa, and SYREETA — alongside emerging talents from underrepresented backgrounds.
“Having 50/50 gender splits across our season bookings as well as wider intersectional representation … means a lot to us,” said Kearney.
This commitment to balance extends beyond lineups. HE.SHE.THEY’s aesthetic — often minimalist and monochrome, punctuated by bold visual performances — blurs the line between club night and art installation. Every event feels intentional, immersive, and very much alive.
Still, their work exists against the backdrop of an increasingly tense political climate. “Everything comes in waves,” Braines reflected in Notion. “I think line-ups are more diverse and people in the crowd are more diverse in general, I just wish there wasn’t this hideous wave of transphobia happening.”
For HE.SHE.THEY, nightlife has always been political. The dance floor, as they see it, is a frontline for freedom — a space where difference is not just accepted but celebrated.
Beyond the dance floor
HE.SHE.THEY isn’t just an event series, it’s a label, a creative agency, a fashion brand and a cultural movement. Their record imprint, launched in 2021, mirrors their events and gives a platform to artists who challenge norms and defy easy categorization.
“HE.SHE.THEY was always meant to be a home,” Kearney told Notion. “For people who felt like they didn’t fit in elsewhere — whether that’s musically, socially, or personally.”
Their clothing line blends club wear with gender-fluid street style, often featuring bold slogans like “A place without prejudice”. The designs, showcased at London Fashion Week and worn by artists across the globe, challenge conventional fashion norms while promoting self-expression and body positivity. Every move the collective makes reinforces that ethos of openness.
The Future of Inclusivity
As HE.SHE.THEY continues to expand, the challenge remains the same — to protect the soul of what they’ve built. For Braines and Kearney, that means maintaining authenticity in a world that often commodifies diversity. “It’s not about perfection,” said Braines. “We’re interested in honesty, connection and expression.”
It’s this groundedness and refusal to chase trends or validation that makes HE.SHE.THEY stand out. They’ve managed to make inclusivity the life of the party.
So HE.SHE.THEY isn’t just another club brand, but an international movement that reminds us what dance music has always been about: unity, freedom and joy.
Follow HE. SHE. THEY on Instagram for updates on all their latest events and releases.
