New Wave's GALA Festival '23 Round Up in Collaboration With Dr. Martens

New Wave are working with Dr. Martens at GALA Festival 2023, where music, culture, and community come together in a spectacular celebration of creativity and expression. Festival-goers from all walks of life eagerly await the unforgettable experience ahead of them and this year's edition was no different. With a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds, showcasing a diverse lineup of renowned artists and emerging talent across multiple stages.

As the music world continues to embrace many new faces, forms and sounds, the New Wave community stands at the forefront, spearheading change and celebrating talented artists from diverse backgrounds. Working together with Dr. Martens, on their mission this summer to level the festival playing field and give better access and experiences to marginalised voices, gave us the opportunity to get an inside look into some of the backstage activities at GALA. We also had the opportunity to interact with festival goers and get their thoughts on some of the talented female artists and DJs playing at the festival's opening day.

The energy was high all day, both backstage at the Dr. Martens hub where there were drinks flowing and familiar faces like SHERELLE were casually walking around having her picture taken, to the main area where the talent was beaming off the stage and everyone donned colour and good vibes. With attendees letting us know how excited they were to see the talent, especially the female artists gracing the stage at the GALA festival this year.

There were a selection of incredible artists and DJs performing and this year's line up really shone a light on the diverse female talent in the music industry. With the likes of Abja Ngozi, a talented DJ and producer known for their deep-rooted connection to reggae, dub, and dancehall music with a focus on uplifting rhythms and conscious lyrics. Abja Ngozi's set transported the crowd to a world of positive vibrations and soul-stirring grooves.

Tarsza an emerging DJ and producer who has been making waves with their unique blend of electronic music. With a style that traverses genres like techno, house, and experimental sounds creating an immersive and hypnotic set that pushes sonic boundaries.

Dynamic and boundary-pushing DJ OK Williams known for their adventurous and genre-defying sets. With a penchant for exploring the fringes of electronic music, OK Williams blends sounds from various eras and styles, creating a sonic collage that is both captivating and unpredictable.

Duo Analog Soul made up of DJs and producers Heidi Sabertooth and Lisa Q. Analog Soul created a set that was characterised by raw energy, intricate rhythms, and pulsating beats. Their performances took the audience on a sonic adventure.

NAYANA AB, the west London based singer made her debut at GALA festival on the weekend and we were lucky enough to catch up with her at Dr. Martens' backstage hub.

"My set was a vibe! People stood up and came forward. It was fun seeing the crowd come to life," exclaimed the R&B-soul artist, reflecting on her performance with the incredible ORCHII Orchestra. When asked about the artists she was most excited to see, NAYANA specifically mentioned Lava La Rue and praised her for her versatile creativity and hands-on approach to her process. Make sure to keep an eye out for NAYANA AB on festival line ups later this year.

DJ DMoney has put together a sensational playlist showcasing the talent that graced the stage at this year's GALA festival, especially highlighting some of the female talents we were so excited to see. Listen below to hear how we marked the beginning of an unforgettable summer festival season at GALA: