Headlining the Homostash World Music Terrace at Egg LDN’s Pride Xtra-Vaganza is DJ Dom Top, whose love of all things Brazilian will see him mix up classic Pride anthems with some serious baile funk vibes.
The pint-sized London pop rocket took up DJing in 2015 and has since racked up gigs all over the world, playing in Brazil, Spain, Malta, Holland, Peru and more. During his time as London resident at international club brand Daddy Issues, he developed his signature musical style, mixing pop, R’n’B, reggaeton and Brazilian funk in sets that are guaranteed to get you shaking your ass. He’s also a familiar sight to many queer Londoners as one fourth of sell-out comedy cabaret sensations Sex Shells and for his tenure as scene editor at nightlife magazine QX.
Dom’s cross cultural mix is set to ignite the party as he lays down his irresistible beats.
Let’s get this party started!
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride means celebrating the freedoms and progress that the LGBTQIA+ community have achieved, showing queer people the world over that there are places where we can be ourselves, honouring the people that fought for those rights and having a good, hard dance.
Tell us about your first Pride experience, what & where was it and were there any special moments?
I think it was Brighton Pride circa 2007, though I didn’t see much of it. Somebody gave me a (then-legal) “herbal high” pill the size of an anal suppository and I ended being taken home and laying flat on my friend’s bedroom floor, convinced the curtains were talking to me. That was pretty “special” I guess, but not in the way you’d want…
What is your favourite part of Pride?
Street parties during the day (minus waiting in line for portaloo though while my bladder explodes) then heading to a packed club in the evening. There’s a collective buzz or energy during Pride that just can’t be replicated anywhere else!
Do you have a favourite Pride memory?
All the boys I’ve kissed at Pride are definitely happy memories for me. Plus I’ve had some amazing Pride DJ sets over the years at venues all over the city and further afield, so I’m glad I’m keeping that tradition alive this year with Homostash! And hopefully the kissing-boys tradition will continue too…
Why do you think Pride is still important?
As I mentioned before, it’s about recognizing and appreciating that we’ve come so far in terms of rights, showing people in places where there hasn’t been the same progress that there are places where they can be themselves. Things aren’t perfect anywhere, but in the UK we still have a lot of protections that people in say, Uganda or Iraq don’t have. Pride can be a beacon of hope to people and inspire them to work and hope for change. That said, there’s always more work to be done! Plus, Pride is a protest, we’re showing people that we’re here, queer and we ain’t going nowhere – while wearing great outfits and dancing to fab music obvs.
The Pride March isn’t happening this year but the community will be celebrating with different events and you’re headlining the Pride Extravaganza at Egg Ldn and how important do you think it is to come together and be proud in these current times?
We’re never more than a few steps away from losing our rights, particularly with a government like the one we have currently, so it’s important to show up as a community and be visible! Community is power! Also, the last year or so has been incredibly hard for everyone, but moreso for many queer people, who have higher rates of isolation, depression and less access to communities or support. Pride events like this bring people together, get them out and socialising, helping them find their people or strengthen their bonds.
Do you have some favourite tracks you play at Pride and what makes them so special?
Ahahaha usually I love to roll out all the camp hits at Pride – Britney, Donna Summer, Little Mix, Madonna. But this year I get to indulge my musical love affair with Brazil on the World Music Terrace, so I’ve tried to incorporate a few gay icons with some baile funk vibes! Ever wanted to hear Lana Del Rey or Nelly Furtado go funk? You will on Saturday! It’s gonna be really special to share stuff I’ve found and loved during my South American adventures with a UK audience.
Who’s doing it for you musically right now as a producer and what can party goers expect from your set on Saturday September 11th?
Tropkillaz and Heavy Baile are two of my favourite Brazilian producers right now. There’s also just a constant stream of talent coming from Brazil there that a lot of people in Europe are sleeping on! On Saturday I’m aiming to give them a taste of Brazilian pop, funk, brega and more. There’ll be the names maybe you’ve already heard; Pabllo Vittar, Anitta, Pedro Sampaio etc but also some artists you might not know yet like Linn Da Quebrada, Lia Clark, Urias and IZA. Your feet (and bunda) won’t be able to resist the beats, com certeza.
I know you combine your DJ & production career with a flourishing career as a cultural media consultant, and do they both feed off each other?
My job involves knowing about popular music and media all over the world, so I’d definitely say it feeds into it – I’m always discovering new artists that way. My love of Brazilian culture and music has also been super helpful with my work, I even ended up working from São Paulo for a few months, which was a dream come true.
What’s coming up for you in the future?
Hopefully being able to finally get back to Brazil! My last gig before lockdown was for PopPorn in São Paulo and the crowd was absolutely incredible. I can’t wait to get back there and play for meus brasileiros again. Fuck covid and fuck this damn Red List! I wanna drink Corotes, rebolar with the gostosas and have a suruba after 😉
HOMOSTASH XTRA is now joined by Gold Diggers represented by Hifi Sean and Smokin Jo as well as the VOX Sound collective.
3pm Egg London, 200 York Way, London, N7 9AX
For more info on the party click here
Tickets via https://homostash.com
