First-of-its-kind cross-label LGBTQ+ alliance SHADES announces free one-day exhibition and exclusive evening mixer with Sugar For My Soul and the BPI in support of Switchboard
SHADES, a cross-label LGBTQ+ alliance uniting Sony Music UK, Warner Music UK, and Universal Music Group UK, proudly presents a landmark collaboration with Sugar For My Soul and the BPI: a one-day exhibition and evening mixer on Monday, 18th May, hosted at The Gallery in Tileyard (5 Tileyard Road, London, N7 9AH).
The event will bring together the UK’s three largest music companies, along with industry partners and the wider LGBTQ+ community, for a shared moment of visibility, reflection, and celebration which spotlights queer creativity and lived experience. It will also raise funds for Switchboard, the UK’s national LGBTQ+ support line, in recognition of the launch of The Log Books, a newly launched book which charts four decades of LGBTQ+ life in Britain through the call logs of the charity helpline.
The event, which follows the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (17th May), will also serve as a launchpad for SHADES as an industry-wide community platform, as the collective looks to expand beyond its founding labels and actively engage additional labels and publishers, both major and independent, in a shared commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and impact.
Exhibition | May 18th, 2026, 12:30-17:00
In partnership with curators Sugar For My Soul and record labels association the BPI, SHADES’ free-to-attend daytime exhibition will see The Gallery in Tileyard transformed into a space dedicated to queer storytelling, interpretation, and cultural preservation.
The Log Books, the inspiration behind the exhibition, captures real, anonymised conversations from Switchboard’s archives, offering an unfiltered and deeply human insight into the evolving realities of LGBTQ+ life in the UK.
The exhibition will feature:
● Artists’ interpretations of The Log Books, bringing contemporary creative reimaginings to real LGBTQ+ histories
● Key archival materials from Switchboard, including preserved original records and the publication itself
● A curated narrative that bridges past and present, connecting lived experiences across generations
This space will be curated to honour the depth and complexity of LGBTQ+ experiences, elevate queer storytelling as both cultural record and creative expression, and encourage reflection, learning, and meaningful engagement across the industry.
Exhibiting artists will include Achraf Amiri, Chris Lloyd, Emily Foster, Eva Mlodecki, Holly Revell, Izzy MacC, James Robert Morrison, Maria Calliste, Poppy Pray, Prince Oke, and Gioele Corona.
Industry Mixer | May 18th 2026 18:30-22:00
On the evening of the 18th, SHADES and the BPI will host an exclusive mixer designed to bring together LGBTQ+ employees and allies from across the recording and publishing industries.
Featuring a DJ set from Jack Mudd, the evening will offer:
- A dedicated environment for queer professionals to connect across organisations
- A raffle full of exclusive prizes from SHADES, Switchboard, Bistrotheque, Queer Brewing and many more
- A moment of celebration that centres “joy, identity, and shared experience"
Tickets are available to LGBTQ+ employees and allies from across the recording and publishing industries on a first-come, first-served basis. To RSVP, please visit this link.
About SHADES
SHADES is a first-of-its-kind cross-label alliance bringing together the LGBTQ+ ERGs of Sony, Warner, and Universal Music Group UK, as well as members of the independent label community, to advance inclusion at scale.
Initially launched in 2022 and named after two of its founding members were scolded by a drag queen for wearing sunglasses inside an event, the organisation has combined its voices, insights, and influence with the aim of championing equity, unlocking creativity, and driving lasting cultural and industry-wide impact. Led by Jake Smith, Sachin Dattani, Trenton Tomlinson, Matt Cham and Kim Silveira, the alliance seeks to ensure that LGBTQ+ people are not only represented but empowered to lead and redefine the future of music.
Jake Smith (Warner Chappell Music UK), Sachin Dattani (Sony Music UK), and Trenton Tomlinson (Universal Music Group UK) of SHADES, jointly said:
“This event marks a pivotal next step for SHADES as we look to evolve from a cross-label initiative into a broader, industry-facing platform, one which champions LGBTQ+ visibility and representation across our industry, elevates queer culture and expression, and creates meaningful change through charitable support and advocacy.
“Together, and with the support of partner industry organisations like the BPI and Sugar For My Soul, we are more than just communities; we are catalysts for inclusion, creativity, and business impact.”
For more information, contact [email protected].