What happens when two mates from Kettering with a love for drum and bass decide to shake up the underground music scene? You get Selecta, a killer DnB brand that’s not just about banging beats but also about building a community that thrives on energy, vibes, and local talent.
Ran by Ryan Clements and Ali Wishart, Selecta has grown from its humble beginnings into a name that’s now synonymous with quality DnB nights. But the journey to the top wasn’t smooth sailing.
Selecta Events shot by Andy Brown at Prime Focus Photography
From Flava D to Finding Their Feet
Selecta’s first event post-relaunch as a DnB brand featured Flava D and while it wasn’t perfect, it set the wheels in motion. Back then, Ryan admits they were “pretty much winging it,” throwing up Facebook events and handing out flyers. Despite this, the drive was clear—bringing top-notch music and unforgettable nights to their hometown.
Fast forward to today, and Selecta has evolved into a professional machine. Every event is meticulously planned, from the lineup to the promotion. The goal? To deliver unforgettable nights where the crowd’s energy fuels the DJ’s decks, and everyone leaves buzzing.
High Tempo, High Energy: We Experienced It Firsthand
We had the pleasure of joining Selecta at their 8th November event at Tunnel Club, Birmingham, for B-Line’s Birthday Bash, and wow—what a night! With two rooms packed with full lineups, Selecta lived up to their promise of specialising in energy.
The vibe was insane from start to finish: high tempo, insane sets, and an electric crowd that was fully immersed in the music. From local talent to headline acts, every moment was pure, unfiltered DnB madness. If you’re looking for a night where you can lose yourself in the music and let the vibes carry you, this is where it’s at.
Community at the Core
For Selecta, it’s always been about more than just the music. Whether in Kettering or Birmingham, the focus remains on supporting local artists and creating a space where emerging talent can shine alongside established names.
Ryan shared how they’ve started taking artists from Kettering to Birmingham for gigs, building bridges between the local and big-city scenes. It’s a bold move that’s seen local Kettering DJS light up the decks at established events and venues, proving that talent from smaller towns can hold their own on bigger stages.
Big Nights, Bigger Plans
Selecta isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In December, they’re bringing the heat with not one but two massive events:
Friday, 13th December, Bar Seven, Kettering
Expect Diagnostix, MC Haribo, Militant Crew, B-Line, and a wicked mix of jump-up, garage, and rollers. Local talent like Blyth, Neil Badboy, Ambz and more will keep the party alive.
Wednesday, 20th December, Tunnel Club, Birmingham
Celebrating 20 years of Biological Beats, this lineup is stacked. Slipz, Latte, Toxinate, and Fatman D headline a triple back-to-back setup. Add Diagnostix & Trimer and Enta, KY, Traumatize, and you know it’s going to be huge.
Why It Matters
Selecta’s mission goes beyond throwing epic parties. It’s about creating a platform for new talent, building a community, and proving that even in smaller towns, world-class nights are possible. Ryan perfectly sums it up: “Without the smaller shows, the big shows wouldn’t exist. It’s these grassroots nights that allow artists to grow and scenes to thrive.”
How You Can Get Involved
Love drum and bass? Want to see your local scene thrive? Get behind Selecta.
Grab your tickets for their December events.
https://selectaevents.co.uk/events
Follow them on socials to stay in the loop.
Instagram | TikTok | Facebook
Spread the word—the more, the merrier!
Selecta isn’t just a DnB brand. It’s a movement. It’s energy. And it’s proof that the underground scene is alive and kicking in Kettering, Birmingham, and beyond. After experiencing the madness ourselves, we can confidently say these lads are the real deal. If you love DnB, don’t sleep on this!
Photography credit to Andy Brown at Prime Focus Photography
