INTERVIEW: Transtock

Image: Gaydar 

Newcastle is breaking new ground with its first all trans and non-binary music festival. Transtock Festival is the brainchild of singer-songwriter, frontwoman of trans-punk riot grrrl band Dinky Bossetti. “[The idea for Transtock]’s been in my head for a while.” Jade told me. “I wanted to do something to raise money for local groups who are constantly seeing funds being cut. [Trans support charity] Be was the perfect choice – they’re trans-specific and helped me a lot when I was struggling with early transition. I wanted to give something back. There’s also a wealth of trans and non-binary artists out there so it’s a lovely chance to say, ‘Hey, here’s some of us, come check us out!’ Of course, with the current climate, things will have a political edge but I want it to be more of a celebration of trans talent.”

Transtock gives binary gender nonconformity a space to be expressed without threat or fear – something that it is often not graced with. “Over the last few years I’ve been both pleasantly surprised and disappointed by certain organisations, promoters and venues. A current frustration amongst me and some of my LGBTQIA+ musician friends is the increasing move away from having actual queer artists – particularly trans – at Pride events. It’s hard enough for queer acts to break through to the mainstream. Now we’re seeing Prides being overrun with ‘ally’ acts. Allies are great. We need them. But our safe spaces and opportunities seem to be decreasing, which is a big concern.”

A current frustration amongst me and some of my LGBTQIA+ musician friends is the increasing move away from having actual queer artists

Build it and they will come! So, Jade has made space where her trans and non-binary musical fellows can simply exist, celebrate their artistry and represent themselves without the pressure of representing their entire community – while raising money for a good cause. “The bill consists of acts I’ve come to know personally through gigging, both as a solo artist and with Dinky. All acts are performing for free to maximise the amount we can donate to Be. I’ll be eternally grateful to all the acts for agreeing to that – being in a band is often committing to a financial struggle. I knew I had a festival when I secured Gaydar, they’re a wonderful band and are doing some great things. When Mel [from the band] told me they were in, I was over the moon! Amasing is travelling up from London, Beth Warburton is coming from Chester and Alexx Munro will be travelling down from Glasgow. That just blows me away!”

I wondered if Transtock Festival would become a regular event in Newcastle, as the North East’s premier trans music festival, by trans people, for trans people – and everyone who wants to be a real ally to the community and Jade was keen to elaborate on future plans for the festival. “I’ve already booked a date for next year as close to Trans Visibility Day as possible without it being the actual day to avoid a clash with Be’s own event. For next year I want to look into the possibility of grants and funding so I can pay the artists, and I’d love to put a compilation album together to commemorate it too. Next year I’ll go full on and be trying to entice the likes of Laura Jane Grace and Kim Petras to our little city! We could also maybe someday do a summer event and take it outside, but I think the name T In The Park will be copyrighted!”

Transtock takes place at The Globe, Newcastle on Saturday 15^th March from 3pm.