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Sydney’s Friendliest Dance Floor

SOUL OF SYDNEY is a grassroots collective of DJs, dancers and artists bonded by a deep love of funk and soul–based music in all its forms. A creative family that came together in 2009, we exist to support the music we love and the culture that surrounds it — on and off the dancefloor.

In 2011, we took a chance on a one-off, invite-only Sunday afternoon picnic in Sydney’s Inner West. Armed with turntables, a renegade sound system and a simple idea, we created a feel-good funk and soul dancefloor in a kid-friendly, open-air setting — away from late-night bars and clubs. At a time when Sydney had no Sunday day parties dedicated to funk and soul, we offered a space built on freedom of expression, connection between dancers and DJs, and selectors playing from the heart.

Originally launched as a blog to share DJ mixes, stories and information from Sydney’s local funk and soul scene, SOUL OF SYDNEY quickly evolved into podcasting, hosting events and a boutique creative agency. What started online soon became a living, breathing community.

Roots, Respect & the Music

Drawing heavy inspiration from early hip hop, disco and house, SOUL OF SYDNEY has always paid homage to the roots of these scenes in everything we do — whether it’s a DJ set, podcast, mixtape or event. Respect for musical lineage, culture and community sits at the core of the movement.

A musical approach focuses on sharing timeless music that moves, connecting past and present sounds through soul, funk, disco, dancefloor jazz, roller boogie and Latin-inspired gems designed to uplift, entertain and bring people together through dance.

Professional Body-Movers

SOUL OF SYDNEY are a trusted to bring its unique community-driven party energy to festivals, concerts, block parties and anywhere a dancefloor is needed.

Our distinctive take on events and partying has seen us hand-picked to be part of some of Australia’s most respected festivals, cultural activation’s and tours, including:

Sydney Festival, Vivid Sydney, Sydney Fringe Festival, Soulfest, Parramatta Lanes, Parramatta Nights, Subsonic, Peats Ridge Festival, Playground Weekender, City2Surf, Sydney Streets, Made in Redfern, African Film Festival (Fela Kuti Tribute), Sounds of Afrobeats Festival, FIFA Women’s World Cup (2023). As well as touring and concert support for artists such as Roy Ayers, Tower of Power, Norman Jay MBE, Gilles Peterson, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, and many more.

We’ve also delivered community activations for organisations including City of Sydney, North Sydney Council, Hornsby City Council, Lane Cove Council, Waverley Council, Randwick Council, and major public events across NSW.

More Than a Party

Today, SOUL OF SYDNEY exists across blogging, social media, podcasts, events, artist representation, merch, cultural reviews , all driven by the same mission: to push music, art and culture connected to the funk and soul movement.

We create spaces for music heads who value real selectors, extended DJ sets, open-air environments and sound systems that let the music breathe. Our dancefloors attract a crowd with mature ears people who understand the power of the groove and the joy of sharing music without compromise.

Influences & Inspirations

Our sound is deeply influenced by seminal DJs, parties and clubs from the 1970s and 80s, including David Mancuso’s The Loft, Larry Levan and Paradise Garage, Kool Herc’s block parties, Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles. We also draw inspiration from global institutions such as Body & Soul (NYC), The Do-Over (LA) and Southport Weekender (UK).

The Dancefloor Experience

More than a decade on, SOUL OF SYDNEY events have developed a life of their own. Dancefloor expression, crowd participation and an inclusive, welcoming environment remain at the heart of every gathering.

Expect positive party energy and spontaneous moments: Soul Train lines, B-boys, breakers, poppers and lockers, roller boogie flash mobs, and occasionally even limbo lines or group jump-rope sessions. A communal dancefloor for everyone to connect.

Musically, you’ll hear everything from James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley, through to De La Soul, J Dilla, Run-DMC, Grandmaster Flash, Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles, alongside rare cuts and hidden gems dug deep from the crates.

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Doing it strictly for the love | Dancing in the key of life | Feel-good funk & old-school party jams | Sydney’s Friendliest Dance Floor

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