5 Questions with Manwelli

On Sunday June 28th, Manwelli DJs the Pride Sunday Brunch at Ryleigh’s at The Dean Docklands. Expect tunes full of camp, diva moments, old disco tunes and new pop, all mixed together in a joyful, vibey atmosphere. We caught up with him in advance of the gig on what Pride means to him, his favourite memories and - of course - what to look forward to at the post-Parade celebrations.  

Hey Manwelli! Let’s get straight to it. What does Pride mean to you?

Pride, for me, means freedom. It is the expression of one's true self and the love for who you truly are. It is a protest and a fight to claim and protect the rights of my queer community, while remembering those who started the movement and stood at the forefront of the struggle, such as Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman, and Sylvia Rivera, a Puerto Rican-Venezuelan trans woman.
Pride is also about remembering the queer people throughout history who fought and suffered simply to survive in a world where they were not accepted. It reminds us that we cannot take our rights for granted, especially when we see the setbacks and challenges of recent years, particularly for the trans community.
Above all, Pride is a celebration of life.

When and how did you start DJing?

I started DJing two and a half years ago with a small set of party decks. I learned by watching tutorial videos, practicing with friends, going to lots of gigs, and paying attention to what other DJs were doing.

Since I was about 18 years old, I have been part of many different music scenes and dance floors, and I knew that this was what I loved most and what I wanted to do: music, dancing, escapism, freedom, and the sweat that comes from dancing for hours.

About three years ago, I made some changes to my lifestyle around clubbing, which allowed me to focus more on DJing and become the person playing the music. It's a beautiful and amazing feeling.

What’s your go-to track that never fails?

I love playing “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn, in the Rex The Dog remix. It's one of my favourite songs of all time, and this remix gives it an electro twist that I absolutely love.

It always creates a great moment on the dance floor, with people singing along and having a sweaty dance.

More recently, I discovered “I Am Song (Sing Me)” by Asha Puthli, in the Yuksek remix. It's a beautiful nu-disco track with lovely vocals and a slow build that draws people in before bursting into a joyful, uplifting moment.

Who is the artist you really love to go and see, who really brings the energy to a room?

Cormac is one of the artists I love to go and see, and I've seen him many times. He plays Italo, disco, synth, nu-disco, HI-NRG, house, and many other genres … my favourite kind of music. He also drops some unexpected tracks, which always keeps his sets exciting.

We hear rumours of a chic disco house set for our Pride Brunch. What kind of vibe can guests look forward to? Give us a little sneak peek...

I will bring fun with a bit of camp, diva moments, old disco tunes, and new pop, all mixed together in a joyful atmosphere of celebration.

What’s your best Pride Dublin memory? 

Three years ago, we brought two friend’s kids, aged 7 and 3, to the Dublin Pride march.

It was amazing and beautiful to see how curious and open they were, and how much they enjoyed it.

It was important for us to show them that you can be who you are and be united. It was a special moment, and they were very enthusiastic throughout.

Book your spot for Sunday Pride Brunch at Ryleigh’s at The Dean Docklands through the link here. Service starts at midday and last booking is 14:30.