HE.SHE.THEY. to Defected: Steven Braines on Diversity, Dance & Disruption

🎧 Loud & Unfiltered | Inside Ibiza – Ep 3: Steven Braines

In this episode, we sit down with the award winning Steven Braines — global head of events for Defected & Glitterbox, visionary co-founder of HE.SHE.THEY., music manager of artists of the years from SYREETA and Emily Nash to Maya Jane Coles, Magda, Tale of Us, Catz N Dogz, Tricky and more, as well as an and outspoken advocate for diversity on the dance floor.

Steven shares how a trip to Ibiza sparked the idea for HE.SHE.THEY., a movement built on inclusion, representation, and challenging outdated club norms. He reflects on his wild early days in the industry — from promoting his first event at 16, to getting inspired by a fruit bowl at Manumission, to eventually securing a residency at Amnesia.

We talk about:

What a manager really does behind the scenes

How diverse booking teams lead to truly inclusive parties

The power of the dance floor to break down barriers

A few outrageous early career stories you won’t forget

This is a candid, bold conversation about the future of nightlife — and why it needs to be for everyone.