With the biggest show of his brand Kompnd's three-year history on the horizon, we caught up with Stxylo to chat all about it, read what he had to say below!

Date published: 7th Nov 2024

Starting out streaming a wicked range of RnB, Hip-Hop, Dancehall, and Afrobeats from a shipping container in Manchester during lockdown, and since becoming one of the sickest parties flying the genre flag in the city - all in just three years - Kompnd is coming to take over and shut down Albert Hall next month with their After Dark party. 

Their biggest show to date sees Kompnd supply the Grade-2 listed building with a dope mix of vibe setters like Andy Purnell, Crazy Cousinz, Half Ports, and Issey Bossy, as well as resident DJ Kay and Kompnd owner Stxylo, all hosted by CVP & Friends. 

With all this happening, we caught up with Stxylo to chat about the upcoming Kompnd show at Albert Hall, the brand's rapid rise in the last three years, and what it's been like seeing this show grow in his hometown. Check out what's has to say below! 

 

 

We’re here to chat about Kompnd and the event at Albert Hall next month, it will be the biggest event in the brand's history, how much are you looking forward to it?

"It's looking good, man, we’re super excited about it.

"It's three years in the making now. When we first started doing this, it was in lockdown, and we were doing streams from a shipping container. 

"To see the growth of where it was initially, just a couple of people locking in on Twitch, to then be able to host an event in probably one of the biggest and dopest venues in the city, in our own city, is super exciting, man. 

"And I can’t lie, a little bit overwhelming as well, haha!"

 

Tell us a bit about who’s on the bill and who you’re most excited about.

"So on the lineup, we have a guy called Andy Purnell, who is actually Central Cee’s DJ. He's a little bit more low-key, to be honest, but with us, talent-wise, we always try and focus more on people that we know will bring a super dope set and energy, rather than booking a big headline, should we say. Not saying he's not headline-worthy though because he's super sick. 

"We've got Crazy Cousinz, who is like a UK Funky legend in my eyes. We also have like a mix of local DJs, including myself, and DJ Kay, who is one of our residents who's been with us since the beginning. 

"We have a few people coming up from London as well, Half Ports, and an upcoming lady called Izzy Bossy, who's making quite a bit of noise in the Dancehall scene down South. So we've got a good mixture, to be fair. 

"Musically, it's right across the board, R&B to Dancehall to hip-hop to ama piano to like classics and stuff, we do try and have a range of music. So yeah, the lineup is looking good.

"Most excited? I'm probably going to say Crazy Cousinz only because when I started DJing, their music was kind of resonating well on the underground scene, I used to play a lot of UK funky in my early sets. To be able to put him on now, 15, 20 years later, it's a bit crazy, man. Proper full-circle moment."

 

Kompnd, as a brand, you’ve mentioned there, started from streaming in lockdown from a shipping container. In its three years, it seems to have gained a strong and dedicated cult following. What's that growth been like for you? What was the ethos when you started these parties? 

"To be honest, mate, when we started doing this it was COVID times and people weren't outside. So, we never knew what the ceiling could be or where we could take it. 

"At the time, it was more about bringing people together through the screens, essentially, and letting people still enjoy themselves from home and connect through the music. So we kind of kept that ethos as people were back outside again. 

"The community we'd built online were telling us we should do something and we've kind of just stuck with that ethos of listening to our community and bringing people together, and that's just been at the core of everything we've done with Kompnd. 

"Whether it's the 80 or so people there at the first event or all those at the bigger shows like at New Century and stuff, the core and the backbone has just been providing a safe space and a spot where people can link and network and enjoy themselves. 

"With the events getting bigger, we were concerned we would lose that sense of community, but we've managed to keep it in there we're going to stick to maintaining it going forward too."

 

I do feel like that sense of community shines through a lot of the stuff you're doing. What's it like to create something like that within your hometown? Especially as, with the music and genres you're playing, there's not many spaces in Manchester doing it to the level that you're doing.

"I agree with you, man. I feel like especially in the genres that we kind of play, I would say you have like more VIP clubs and the busiest spots, but there wasn't really a place where people could come where everyone was welcomed, and was more of a family community.

"So to be able to do that in our hometown, to be able to build a brand of our own that amplifies that music and that energy that I’ve had been trying to bring over the years DJing in this city, and for it to become what it has, it's a bit of a wild one, to be honest, mate haha. 

"Plus, there are so many more brands now that are popping out and that are doing well and providing the same kind of energy and spaces, and the more the merrier, man. It keeps the scene alive and healthy."

 

 

Are there any shows over the three years that stand out for you, I imagine this Albert Hall one will take the cake, but do you have a favourite memory, a favourite night from your time doing Kompnd? 

"I really liked a lot of the earlier parties when they were smaller, I'll be honest.

"It’s something we will definitely go back to as the energy when the rooms are smaller and everyone's closer together is super dope. 

"But then when we held our first big event at New Century, it was this realisation of what we had achieved. We’d jumped from a 400/500 cap to 1300, and we weren't sure if we’d fill it out, we had the opportunity and just kind of just jumped in head first, and figured it out as we went. 

"Then on the night when we saw the numbers in there, we realised we actually have something that's beyond what we ever could have even imagined it would be. So yeah, both ends of the spectrum, the really small parties and then the massive parties.

"Obviously, everything in between was still incredible, but they’re the real standout ones."

 

 I've seen the Albert Hall show is close to selling out already, but what would you say to, A, someone who's already got a ticket, and B, someone who's maybe on the fence?

"If you’ve got a ticket, you made the right decision.

"If you haven't, and you haven't been before, just give it a try, man. 

"I feel sometimes people sit on the fence because they’re worried about trying something for the first time. I'm sure there are so many people who have seen what we’re doing and think it looks dope and like the look of the vibe but haven’t come down. 

"We always have this thing where people will come for the first time and the feedback is always like, oh my God, it was amazing, we didn't think it was like this. 

"So I would say just try it, we don’t like gassing over what we’re doing, we just kind of let it speak for itself and people can come in and indulge in it themselves. 

"I don't want to blow our trumpet man, but pull up because the party's going to be dope. Bigger production, bigger system, bigger sound, historic venue, a 360 space, the way we're setting it up on the day will be completely unique. 

"So yeah, man, just pull up and have a good time!"

 

 

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For more information on KOMPND AfterDark at Albert Hall, visit the vent page on Skiddle by clicking or tapping - HERE

Or just grab your last-minute tickets below!

Tickets for KOMPND AfterDark | Albert Hall:

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.