INTERVIEW:
Rowena Alice
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I would advise and urge…
IN THIS PHOTO: Rowena Alice with Jo Whiley
everyone reading to follow the tremendous Rowena Alice on Instagram and TikTok. I have featured her on my blog before. But I am a huge admirer and fan, so I did want to revisit. In terms of why she is so special: “A prolific open-format DJ across London, the rest of the UK and Ireland, Rowena is known as a go-to DJ for creating and keeping the party going all night long - whatever the genre of music”. That is some bio from Surreal. We can see where Rowena Alice has played recently. There were a couple of specific reasons why I wanted to feature her now. Rowena Alice has been supporting Jo Whiley during her packed and acclaimed 90s Anthems tour. I wanted to ask about working with Whiley and how they came together. Also, I have been thinking about female DJs. As a DJ and broadcaster, I am thinking of women like Rowena Alice and whether they have the same opportunities, platforms, funding, exposure and respect as their male peers. Last year, it was reported that half of women in the music industry face discrimination. There is gender inequality in Dance music too. In an industry that is still misogynistic, I do wonder about female DJs and the realities they face. Their incredible talent and passion perhaps not as rewarded and exposed as that of men. Also, women face barriers like abuse, assault and harassment. For someone as sensational and dedicated as Rowena Alice, I wanted to ask about her life as a DJ and what she thinks about some of these big issues. More than anything, this is a spotlight on a DJ with a broad repertoire and this huge devotion to music. Someone who can get people together by playing incredible across multiple decades, I will definitely catch one of her sets in 2026. I am musing as to which songs she opens her sets with and what her favourite decade is. The records in her collection. Rowena Alice is someone I have limitless respect for. Without further ado, below is my interview with this extraordinary talent. A DJ queen that…
LIVE PHOTOS CREDIT: Jonathan Morgan
YOU need to know about.
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Hi Rowena. You have had a very busy 2025! Looking back at the year so far, is there a particular set or moment that stands out as a personal highlight?
I think it had to be supporting Jo Whiley as part of her 90s Anthems tour. I played an opening and post-show set for her in Hastings, which was incredible.
How did you and Whiley meet?
We met in 2023 when I first supported her in Bexhill (in 2023) when working with Propaganda indie club. She’s iconic and such an influential woman in the music scene, so I immediately jumped at the chance of performing a set alongside her. It was a bucket list moment meeting her, and the fact she’s an absolute delight was a bonus. Being invited back to play with her again this year as the main support was an honour.
Is the ‘90s an important decade for you in terms of your music education?
Oh absolutely! I feel the ‘90s are a large part of why I’m an open-format DJ playing any and all genres. The ‘90s had unprecedented genre diversity and wasn’t defined by one sound. No other decade saw so many genres hitting cultural highs, which is why it remains the greatest and most exciting decade for music in my opinion - with so many songs that still hold up to this day.
“There’s nothing like that instant reaction from a crowd when you drop a track they love. It’s addictive in the best possible way”
Can you take me back to your earliest musical experiences? Was there a moment when you were drawn to becoming a DJ, or were there particular DJs that you looked up to and inspired something in you?
My earliest musical experiences were shaped by a venue called The Square in Harlow. I was there constantly - at gigs, watching local bands, and taking part in their Rock School program, where kids were encouraged to form bands. I joined as a singer, and it became this amazing creative outlet that kickstarted my love for performing and being in front of a crowd.
But funnily enough, I didn’t get into DJing until after university, when I started working in radio. I had a show on Boogaloo Radio called Riot Diet, and our station manager Jenn Crothers teamed up with Camden Market to get presenters doing DJ sets. She asked if I wanted to give it a try, and I just jumped straight in - I’d never touched decks before and basically learned on the job. That’s where everything clicked for me and I got completely hooked. There’s nothing like that instant reaction from a crowd when you drop a track they love. It’s addictive in the best possible way. So honestly, it wasn’t a particular DJ who inspired me at the start - it was that first experience of playing out, feeling the energy bounce back at me, and realising, “Oh wow, I want to do this properly”.
Looking at your Instagram feed and the gigs you play, you definitely get to spin a huge range of music. Is there a particular style of music that you are particularly drawn to?
I’m really lucky to have grown up around such a wide mix of music, and I genuinely love almost everything I get to play. But at my core, I’ll always have a soft spot for the Rock/Indie/Metal/Punk nights - that’s still very much who I am. Those are the genres I listen to the most in my own time, and I still get such a buzz from playing tracks I adore or know every word to.
I also think the crowd can feel that energy. When I’m playing the heavier sets, I’m having the time of my life, and the crowd just throws that energy straight back at me. There’s something about that exchange - especially on those louder, sweatier nights - that I absolutely revel in.
As with any DJs, I am fascinated to know the music they grew up with and the albums in their collections. I know you are a massive Deftones fan. Which albums and artists were important to you as a child, and how influenced and affected are you by modern artists?
As I said earlier, I grew up on a really mixed bag of music, so my early influences were basically chaos in the best way. But Nirvana’s Nevermind was the moment for me. My uncle gave me this dodgy ripped copy when I was a kid, and as soon as ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ kicked in, my brain just… rewired. That album sent me down the rabbit hole, and through Nirvana I found Hole, which opened up this whole new world of women in bands. That’s something I’ve been obsessed with championing ever since - through radio, DJ sets, anywhere I can shine a light on it.
Modern artists definitely still influence me, especially as I’m constantly hunting for new ideas and fresh production. When you’re listening to music nonstop, it’s such a rush when something actually breaks through the noise. I love how artists now just smash genres together without overthinking it and keep pushing things forward. Turnstile is a perfect example - they’re fearless, fun, and the band are also diverse, which is still so important for representation on the stage.
So honestly, from then to now, the thread’s the same: I’m drawn to artists who build their own world - music that feels emotional, immersive, and a little bit unexpected.
“I don’t think the industry is doing enough yet, but I do see more people and venues trying and moving things forward. Slowly, but it’s happening”
Even though there have been small steps, for female DJs, they face still lower pay, harassment, and having to collaborate with male producers to get their music heard. Is this something you have experienced… and do you think the industry does enough to tackle this?
I think most women in the industry will tell you they’ve faced some version of this - being underestimated, talked over, second-guessed, or flat-out offered less money for the same work. I’ve definitely felt it myself. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s painfully obvious. Even though things have improved as more women push through, the issues are still very much there.
What hits hardest for me is the male aggression and harassment I’ve had to deal with whilst literally just trying to do my job. I got punched in the face by a guy after a set who waited outside for me, but I still played another set the next day. There’s nothing more punk than being a girl and a DJ.
It’s become even clearer recently when I’ve been hanging out at my male partner’s DJ sets and seeing the difference in how people treat him when he DJs, compared to how they treat me when I play.
Another example: just last Saturday, I asked a man to step back slightly so he wouldn’t spill his drink over the club’s very expensive decks. He exploded at me, got right in my face, and had to be removed by security. He then waited outside, brought his mates back, started kicking off, and the venue ended up shutting the night down early for safety. Security rushed me out a back exit because he was outside threatening to “fuck me up.” Sadly, this isn’t a one-off. I’ve dealt with variations of this more times than I should have to. Some venues (like this one on Saturday) handle it brilliantly; some don’t. And, honestly, some will just avoid booking you again because it’s “easier” than dealing with the fact you’re a woman on the lineup and potential issues that may arise from that.
But here’s the thing: the more women, non-binary people and queer people you see behind the decks, the more the culture shifts. Representation changes everything - for audiences, promoters, bookers, and the whole scene. I don’t think the industry is doing enough yet, but I do see more people and venues trying and moving things forward. Slowly, but it’s happening.
What’s important is that the responsibility shouldn’t fall on underrepresented artists to fix the problems we didn’t create.
It does seem there is this massive inequality and discrimination that affects women. Do you worry about this when you think of other women who are thinking of coming into the industry?
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry. I’ve experienced things I would never want anyone else - especially young women just starting out - to go through. So yes, the inequality and discrimination in the industry is a real concern, and it’s something I think about a lot as it has taken a toll on me throughout the years I’ve been a DJ.
But at the same time, I don’t want fear to be the thing that stops women from coming into this world. We need them here. The industry is already better, safer, and more exciting because more women, non-binary people and queer people are stepping up and taking space. And every time someone new walks in, the culture shifts just that little bit more. What I really want is for women coming in to know two things:
1. You absolutely belong here, and your voice is needed.
2. You don’t have to do it alone. There are so many supportive communities, collectives, venues, and other DJs who genuinely want to lift each other up.
So yes, I worry, but I’m also hopeful. And I’ll keep using whatever platform I have to make the scene safer, more inclusive, and more welcoming for the next wave coming through.
As I am running interviews with amazing DJ queens, who are some of the incredible women that you admire and would urge us to check out?
My darling friend Jordyn-Blair (who DJs as part of her drag persona Kardeizure), the super talented DJ and producer Gem Precious, who recently won the Back2Back DJ Battle, the brilliant and multifaceted Tasmin Taylor of the DJ duo Hang the DJs, the super energetic Savannah, and the She They Press Play DJ collective, who champion women and minority genders.
Maybe it is hard to distil, but what is the best part of being a DJ? What makes it your passion and something you love?!
For me, the best part of being a DJ is that feeling when the whole room moves with you. You drop a track, the energy shifts, everyone locks in together, and for a moment, it feels like pure electricity. It’s addictive.
I’ve also got ADHD, so I’ve spent a lot of my life feeling like I didn’t quite click or fit anywhere. DJing was the first thing that made total sense to me. The constant movement, the hyperfocus, the creativity and the chaos is where my brain actually thrives. It’s the one place I feel completely myself.
And then there’s the connection. Sharing songs I love, watching a crowd respond, building a little world for a few hours - nothing else I’ve done has ever felt like that. It’s fun, emotional, and full of adrenaline. It’s the one thing I’ve never gotten tired of.
“I want to keep pushing myself, keep growing, and keep saying “yes” to things that scare me a little”.
You have had an amazing year! What does 2026 hold in store? Are there any dream venues to play or goals to achieve that you have in mind?
For 2026, I just want to keep any momentum going, as I’m finally at a point where I feel confident in what I’m doing and excited about what’s next.
In terms of dream goals, 2025 was a year of big life changes and I had to reduce my commitments, so for 2026, I’m hoping to return to the big stages like Glasto and Download. Festivals have always been big for me. The energy of a festival crowd is just unmatched. There are also a few iconic venues I’d love to tick off my list, and I’m aiming to take what I do to more cities and countries. I want to keep pushing myself, keep growing, and keep saying “yes” to things that scare me a little.
I’m also looking to develop and put on more clubnights, as well as honing my skills and trying to move into more of the production side of things too.
But honestly, my main goal is just to keep doing what I love, keep building my community, and keep creating nights where people can lose themselves for a bit. If I can do that on a bigger scale in 2026, I’ll be very happy.
Finally, I will finish this interview by playing a song of your choice. It can be one you play in your sets or a personal favourite. What shall we go with?
I’ve got to pick one of my partner’s songs - and yes, I’m fully aware this makes me sound biased, but I promise it’s justified. He’s ridiculously talented. His tracks end up on my repeat playlist without me even realising I’ve done it. He’s the Australian musician/producer/songwriter melrose., and he nails that modern, genre-blending sound that feels fresh, emotional and compelling.
So I’m choosing melrose. – Let Me Know When You Get Home. It’s one of those tracks that grabs you instantly… and then refuses to leave your head, in the best way.