Collective Spotlight: Sister Midnight
In this series, we shine a light on up-and-coming collectives who are carving their own path while pushing underground culture forward.
At the centre of Lewisham, Catford, and the wider southeast London music scene is Sister Midnight, a community-driven venue, radio station and artist haven. More than just a space for music, this collective has created a cultural hub where inclusivity, experimentation, and grassroots creativity come first.
Community defines Sister Midnight’s ethos. A movement born from necessity during the pandemic when many local spaces shut down, it’s now become a blueprint for how underground culture can thrive outside the mainstream.
Origins and ethos
Founded in 2021 by Lenny Watson, Sophie Farrell, and Lottie Pendlebury, Sister Midnight started as a grassroots record shop and venue in Deptford before the pandemic forced its closure. The team quickly pivoted and re-established itself as a community benefit society, expanding into radio and using digital platforms to keep the scene alive. Their mission was, and remains, to create a home for emerging artists, DJs, and musicians, particularly those from underrepresented communities.
“For the last few years, the community down here has been blighted by the continual closures and losses of culturally important music venues,” Watson told Dazed in a 2021 interview.
Their initial plan was to save Lewisham’s Ravensbourne Arms by transforming it into a community-owned pub – however that fell through. Instead, Lewisham Council offered the Brookdale Club — a dilapidated social club dating back to the 1880s — on a ten-year rent-free lease. They’ve spent the last 5 years raising a target of £500,000 to revamp the space.
Their vision extends far beyond music. Sister Midnight plans to host breakfast clubs, children’s activities, and co-working facilities, alongside rehearsal and recording spaces. The yard will be used for record fairs and arts and crafts markets, while the kitchen will accommodate local food pop-ups.
Building a local and global family
What started as a single record shop has blossomed into a multifaceted collective. Sister Midnight FM just launched their programming for 2026, featuring shows that highlight emerging local talent, experiment with genre, and spotlight voices that often go unheard in mainstream media: “a genre-bending mix of sounds that reflect the breadth and spirit of musical output from Lewisham and beyond,” their press release reads.
Every decision — from programming to venue design to community partnerships — is filtered through a lens of integrity and accessibility to build a space where diversity is celebrated, experimentation encouraged, and music front-centre.
Their approach has fostered a sense of family. DJs, producers, and fans from across southeast London describe the collective as a place to connect, collaborate, and feel seen. The venue’s focus on inclusivity is reflected in the line-ups and in the planned design of the space itself.
The sound and the scene
Musically, Sister Midnight operates at the intersection of underground and avant-garde. The collective champions everything from house, techno, and drum & bass to experimental electronic and local grassroots sounds.
And this January, they finally did it. Sister Midnight announced they’ve reached their funding milestone and will begin construction on their space, due for completion in Autumn 2026. In February, Sister Midnight held a community meeting at Catford House to gather input from local residents on the development of the space.
“Now that work has started on site to renovate our building, we’re planning to host meetings like this more often so that everyone in our community has a chance to share their ideas for the venue and shape this space with us,” they shared on Instagram.
The vision includes live bands sharing a bill with DJs, spoken word performances intertwined with electronic sets, and community workshops running alongside late-night club nights.
Beyond the venue
The collective’s fundraising model — community shareholders contributing toward a shared goal — reflects its commitment to participation, empowerment and ownership. It’s all about creating something by and for the community.
The Brookdale Club dates back to the 1880s. Image: The Greenwich Wire
Once completed, the space will serve multiple purposes: a professional rehearsal space, a community music hub, and a platform for experimental arts. The venue will democratize access to cultural infrastructure, allowing emerging artists to work, perform, and connect without the barriers often imposed by the mainstream music industry.
The future of community-led culture
As Sister Midnight prepares to open its doors in Catford, they’re determined to maintain authenticity while growing. “Everything we do is driven by our belief in the power of music to uplift, unite and affect positive change,” their website reads. “By working at a grassroots level and always democratically, we hope to make this a space for belonging, solidarity and experimentation.”
It’s fair to say Sister Midnight is setting a new standard for how grassroots collectives can operate sustainably, ethically, and with wide-reaching impact. It’s a reminder that music can be a tool for connection, empowerment, and joy. And with so many UK grassroots venues closing their doors, Sister Midnight is a true model for the future of community-led culture.
For updates on their venue, radio programming, and community initiatives check out sistermidnight.org.
