As part of Bradford’s bold and inclusive UK City of Culture 2025 programme, the much-celebrated Dialled In Festival is bringing its radical spirit of South Asian creativity, music and cultural resistance to the city for a special edition on 2 August 2025. Known for its dynamic programming, grassroots ethos, and unapologetically progressive values, Dialled In has quickly become one of the UK’s most exciting cultural events for and by South Asians
What began as a one-off music event in London has grown into a nationwide movement celebrating the creative expression of South Asian artists across the diaspora—from musicians and poets to DJs, designers, zine-makers and community organisers. In 2025, the festival comes to Bradford—one of the UK’s most ethnically diverse cities—to connect with its rich heritage of South Asian music, activism and working-class culture.
The theme for Dialled In Bradford is "North Star: Diaspora Sounds from the Margins"—a deliberate nod to Bradford’s proud Northern identity and the overlooked stories that emerge from its immigrant communities. This year’s edition will feature a multi-venue takeover, with performances, installations, talks and club nights scheduled across independent venues, community centres, parks and heritage buildings throughout the city.
Expect a genre-smashing music lineup that traverses traditional and experimental forms—from Punjabi folk and Bengali Baul music to British Asian garage, hip-hop, grime, techno and ambient soundscapes. Artists from both the UK and the global South Asian underground will feature in this carefully curated showcase of sonic storytelling. Highlights are expected to include a late-night live set by Manara, the London-based DJ redefining Bollywood samples through UK club culture, and performances from Jay Mitta, the Tanzanian-born producer inspired by Indian street rhythms.
But Dialled In is more than a music festival—it’s a political and cultural intervention. The festival prioritises decolonial and anti-caste narratives, with a strong emphasis on platforming marginalised voices including Dalit artists, queer South Asians, working-class creatives and British Muslims from overlooked regions. The Bradford edition will host panel talks, walking tours, poetry readings and zine workshops that explore issues like identity, language, resistance, and the politics of space.
For example, one of the headline sessions—“The North Remembers: Working-Class South Asian Futures”—will explore the intersections of race, class and cultural production through the lived experiences of Bradford’s South Asian communities. Hosted by local journalist and author Nadia Ali, it will feature panellists from the worlds of music, education, and community development.
The festival also includes a DIY fair showcasing zines, photography, textiles, spoken word chapbooks and digital art from collectives such as Burnt Roti, South Asia Solidarity Group, and Bradford’s own youth-led publication Displaced Press. There’s a real focus on giving space to young creatives with no formal industry training—offering stalls, mic time, mentoring, and funding clinics.
Bradford’s historic relationship with migration and activism makes it the perfect location for a festival like Dialled In. The city’s vibrant Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian communities—which make up over a third of the population—have long been central to shaping its cultural identity. Whether it’s bhangra in the working men’s clubs of the 80s or contemporary spoken word on the city’s youth stages, Bradford’s South Asian residents have always been Dialled In, even before the festival arrived.
Local collaborations are also key to the event. Dialled In is partnering with Bradford-based organisations like Kala Sangam, Common Wealth Theatre, and The Brick Box to co-create programming and support regional talent. Free community meals, storytelling events, and a “Desi Night Market” with street food, chai stalls and live Sufi music will form part of the family-friendly daytime programme.
The festival operates with a radically inclusive ticketing policy: many events will be pay-what-you-can, and some venues will prioritise access for low-income and migrant attendees. Interpreters, access stewards, quiet spaces, and childcare will also be provided at major events. It’s not just about diversity in name—it’s about dismantling the barriers that prevent people from taking part in cultural life.
By grounding its politics in joy, music, and collective action, Dialled In offers something genuinely transformative. It invites audiences not only to consume culture, but to question who gets to create it—and how. For young South Asians, especially those from the North, this isn’t just a festival. It’s a homecoming.
Dialled In Festival – Bradford 2025 takes place on Saturday 2 August at venues across the city. Follow @dialledin_ on Instagram and visit bradford2025.co.uk for updates, lineups and volunteer opportunities.