London Museum launches search for new DJ collective in collaboration with Morley's

• London Museum launches search for 12 DJs for the Sound of London DJ Collective – in collaboration with iconic chicken shop Morley's
• DJs will soundtrack the weekly late-night programme at the new London Museum, opening 28 November 2026.
• Produced with Hive Curates, the programme offers regular paid performances alongside support from DJ, MC and sound system expert Papa Face

28 July, London: London Museum has today announced its search for a new DJ collective to perform regularly in its new free permanent galleries, opening in Smithfield on 28 November 2026. In collaboration with iconic London chicken shop Morley’s and Hive Curates, the Sound of London DJ Collective will shift the museum’s mood from day to night, curating the soundtrack for the weekly late opening hours – every Friday and Saturday night until 11pm. Applications are open until 14 August 2026 HERE.

The museum will bring together 12 emerging DJs from across London’s boroughs – encompassing a range of genres, backgrounds and ages and selected with the support of special guest judges, representing voices from across London’s music scene. Through regular paid performances, DJs will have the chance to bring their own perspectives and creative energy to one of the city’s newest cultural landmarks. The programme will invite visitors to explore London’s past and present while being immersed in sounds curated by some of the capital’s most exciting contemporary creatives.

These sessions will shape the evolving atmosphere of Our Time (in the Linbury Hall) – a new social space that reimagines the former trading floor of the historic Victorian General Market as a vibrant gathering place where the museum’s collections and London’s communities unite. Under the heritage ironwork and beautifully restored dome, London's stories are not only displayed but woven into every part of the experience – from the food in its restaurant, to its music and events. The DJ collective will remix the space, taking it from a daytime destination to an energetic evening venue. From this central meeting point, visitors can descend into the museum’s subterranean permanent galleries, or hang out in its restaurant, bar or cafe.

Dhikshana Turakhia Pering, Head of Creative Programmes at London Museum, said: “The Sound of London DJ Collective celebrates the people, neighbourhoods, local spaces and moments that bring this city to life, uniting bold, original and community-minded DJs who reflect the richness of London’s contemporary sound. At London Museum, we believe in making the everyday extraordinary - creating spaces where people can connect, discover new sounds and make memories. Food and music have always gone hand in hand, bringing people together and telling the stories of a city. That’s why we’re proud to be working with Morley’s – a brand that holds memories across generations of Londoners – with the support of legendary reggae DJ, MC and club promoter Papa Face and producers Hive Curates. We’re looking for DJs with a unique voice and a connection to London’s sounds and stories to help create great times for everyone. If that’s you, we’d love to hear from you."

Shan Selvendran, Chief Executive Officer of Morley’s said: "Supporting emerging talent and connecting with London’s culture is a defining part of Morley’s story – our doors have always been open for creatives, for young people and for our community. As we celebrate over 40 years of Morley’s, backing this DJ collective and supporting spaces for people to come together in London made sense.  We’re excited to continue our connection with London Museum to champion the people and stories that make our home city so great.”

Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The new London Museum’s late-night weekend openings with the Sound of London DJ Collective will be a fantastic addition to the capital’s nightlife offer. Visitors will be able to enjoy the museum and celebrate the diversity of our incredible music scene as they hear from the next generation of talent. It is a brilliant example of how our city’s cultural institutions and homegrown businesses can work together to create opportunities for Londoners and celebrate what makes our capital great, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”

The DJ Collective will be supported by DJ, MC and club promoter Papa Face, a leading figure in London’s sound system, reggae and club culture. In a legendary career, spanning over half a century, he has played some of the capital’s most celebrated nightlife venues. As a specialist advisor to the museum, he is a key voice in the development of one of the 13 large scale installations that will sit around the perimeter of the General Market ground floor. The special commission will celebrate London’s sound system culture, creating a thread in Our Time, between the city’s history and contemporary music scene.

Morley’s support of the Sound of London DJ Collective continues its deep-rooted ties to London’s creative scene. Its cult status has been cemented through longstanding connections with artists and creatives – including inspiring Krept’s ‘Morley’s Freestyle’ and providing the backdrop for Stormzy’s ‘Big For Your Boots’. Its cultural reach has also extended globally through Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Date series, which has seen the shop host celebrity interviews with Burna Boy, Rosalía, RAYE and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, as well as feature in an episode of Netflix’s Black Mirror. London Museum acquired the sign from Morley’s original Sydenham shop in 2025. It will be displayed in the museum’s new home in Smithfield as part of an installation in Our Time called ‘Hanging Out’, about the places that bring Londoners together.

ENDS

• Images HERE
• The DJ Collective is open to all applicants who are 18 or older at the time of applying. Applicants must live or work in one of London’s 32 boroughs or City of London to be eligible.
• Successful applicants will join the Collective for a 12-month programme and can expect to perform approximately one DJ set per month from November 2026 to November 2027.
• Recruitment will take place across three stages. The first stage is a written application, which must be submitted by Friday 14 August at 11:59pm. Following this, 50 applicants will be invited to progress to Stage 2. Full information can be found HERE.
• London Museum is transforming two former market buildings in the City of London, the historic heart of the capital. It is one of the most ambitious cultural redevelopments of the coming decade and will play a key role in the transformation of Smithfield into a vibrant new cultural quarter for the city.
• The formerly derelict Victorian General Market will open on 28 November 2026 as home to the museum’s permanent galleries, cafe, retail and event spaces. The adjacent Poultry Market, set to house the museum’s world-class learning centre, temporary exhibition spaces and collection stores, will open in 2028.
• London Museum is designed by Stanton Williams and Asif Khan, working with conservation architects Julian Harrap.
• The £437m project has been developed through a unique partnership between the City of London Corporation and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, alongside support from a range of philanthropic supporters including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, The Linbury Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A number of individual philanthropists and charitable trusts have also pledged significant support to the project. Global law firm DLA Piper is the project’s inaugural Corporate Founder.

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London Museum is London’s shared place in the middle of it all.

No matter where you’ve come from, how long you’re staying for, or what side of the river you live on, we offer a home for exploration and adventure where all of London’s stories cross and collide.

At our heart we're a social history museum and we tell the stories of how London came to be. But we're also contemporary collectors keeping our finger on the pulse. We're the world's biggest city museum.

At the core of London Museum is our collection, which covers 450,000 years of history through seven million objects drawn from across all 33 boroughs. It's the largest collection in the world relating to a single urban centre.

Founded in South London in 1985, Morley's is a beloved, family owned London institution, serving famous fried chicken, burgers and wings. With a rich history and a passionate following, Morley's has become a cornerstone of modern London culture, supporting the UK music scene, sports, art and British film.

Over the last 40 years, Morley’s has built a tight-knit family of loyal supporters from across the UK including Stormzy, Krept and Konan, Rae, Miss Banks, KSI, Jay Rayner, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Mo the Comedian and Amelia Dimoldenberg. Expanding past South London, Morley’s now has over 130 stores, including recent openings in Nottingham, Swansea, Portsmouth and Brighton.

Hive Curates is a creative studio led by artists for artists, delivering community‑rooted creative placemaking across London. We bring together curation, art and cultural programming to transform everyday spaces and strengthen the connection between culture and community.

Founded in 2019, Hive began by converting a disused industrial site into a thriving studio for intergenerational and multidisciplinary artists. Today, we champion artists from the global majority, working‑class creatives, women artists and emerging practitioners, ensuring fair access to opportunities and visibility across the public realm.

We work with public bodies, architects, BIDs and developers to deliver authentic commissioning, co‑designed programmes and joyful, legacy-driven public‑realm projects. Our work includes permanent public artworks, major light festivals,  award‑winning murals, meanwhile spaces and cultural programming that celebrates local identity and storytelling.

Reggae Pioneer, Broadcaster, and Cultural Consultant – Donald ‘Papa Face’ Facey’s legendary career spans over half a century, establishing him as a cornerstone of the UK’s reggae and dub scene. While not the founder of Dub Vendor, he became the defining face behind its Clapham Junction counter and a key recording artist for its affiliated Fashion Records label. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, Dub Vendor is one of London’s oldest and most influential reggae record shops, helping to shape the city’s sound and culture for decades.

An iconic mic man, Papa Face is best known for his long-running partnership with radio legend David Rodigan. Together, the formidable DJ and MC duo brought reggae to some of London’s most celebrated nightlife venues, from the capital’s longest-running Saturday night reggae club at Gossips in the West End to the hugely popular Rodigan’s Reggae nights at Subterrania and Mass in Brixton. Beyond the DJ booth, Papa Face is a vital custodian of Black British musical history. He was a key partner, specialist advisor, and the public face of the London Museum’s award-winning 2020 exhibition Dub London: Bassline of a City, helping preserve and authentically represent dub culture.

Today, he continues that work through his monthly Reggae Extravaganza broadcasts from The BoAt Pod and live reggae nights across London. Most recently, Papa Face brought this rich history to a new audience through BBC One’s The Marvellous Miniature Workshop, collaborating with expert model makers to recreate London’s iconic reggae hubs in intricate miniature, preserving cherished memories and important cultural spaces.