A Debut 444 Live Music Event in East London
Words by Tanya Fevzi
444 Live is a new events organisation founded by young creatives Zachary Sitbon and Kathleen Peach to celebrate all forms of artistry. Having experienced money-hungry promoters who prioritise quantity over quality, Zac and Katie wanted to go in the opposite direction and give the underdogs of the industry a fair chance. Their motto, Art for Art’s sake, baby, reflects the pair’s commitment to providing a platform for emerging musical artists in a supportive and uplifting environment. 444 Live values creativity over financial profit and strives to pay their artists fairly; they don’t see the artists they work with as money-making opportunities, but as real people with stories to tell.
Zac and Katie, who go by La Bon Peach as a duo, launched 444 Live with an event last Thursday at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. As well as musical performances by Hanna, The Big Bad Wolf, Dolly Doops, and Rara Blue, there was also a celebration of Saiba Anand’s dancing and Axiotis Stratos’s art, which was displayed around the room.
The grassroots venue held space for a community of emerging talent to come together and celebrate live music and artistry. It was made even more special by the collective support for the LGBTQ+ friendly venue that is currently fighting to save its business. After receiving a two-month eviction notice in June 2024, online petitions and fundraising have kept the space afloat until now. At such a scary time for queer people, spaces like the Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club are vital, and celebrating an event hosted and attended by mostly queer people reinforced this. The launch event was a reminder of the importance of accessibility and authenticity in London’s music scene.
The evening began with an open mic on the venue’s theatrical stage, marked by its love-heart backdrop. As the dimly lit, unique space grew full with guests, Zac and Katie warmed the stage with a stunning performance of Gaga’s ‘Abracadabra’. The tone was set, and the open floor continued to boast fresh talent, including an original song by Zachary and an accompanying dance, which he performed with fellow dancer Saiba Anand. Each act was celebrated with genuine support and heartfelt encouragement – it almost felt like we were in a friend’s living room. The Working Men’s Club prohibited this cosy, close-knit community feel, and Zac and Katie’s clean execution of the event allowed the evening to run smoothly into the night.
Hanna, The Big Bad Wolf was the first artist to grace the stage alongside her guitarist Lev Shurov. The Ukrainian singer sang a mix of covers and originals, each guiding listeners through her raw emotions and candid storytelling. Her debut single ‘In Between,’ which featured on BBC Introducing, explores deeply personal issues, including war, displacement, depression, and self-harm. Her set felt like a vulnerable confession, inviting the audience into her mystery and allure. On stage, Hanna was confident and comfortable; off stage, she met others with the same sincerity found in her songs.
Zac proudly welcomed Dolly Doops on stage for the second set. The London-born, queer artist, writer, and producer filled the room with a bouncy and fun energy. Her long, ginger hair, pink skirt and cowboy boots made her look like a pop princess, and the songs she sang, including ‘nasty girl,’ ‘Hot on You,’ and ‘untouchable,’ let us into her unapologetic world. She confessed that her late coming-out, queerness, and love life are huge inspirations in her music, and her lyrics exploring her personal experiences offered a raw glimpse into her heart space.
Rara Blue was the final act, and the self-proclaimed ‘noise producer’ certainly took the audience on a musical adventure with her experimental fusion of ambient, bass-heavy, and synthesised sounds. Rara’s lyrical melodies and thought-provoking samples drew the audience in, creating a deeply immersive listening experience. The London-based audiovisual electronic music artist and producer shifted the venue into a space between reality and surrealism with sounds that felt light, airy, and dreamy.
When Rara Blue finished her set, the electronic music continued as a trio of DJs ensured the night was still young. The event was a success in all the ways it wanted to be: it platformed unique and talented new artists, made live music accessible, and created a community of creatives who look forward to seeing 444 Live grow into something bigger. The queer, the joyful, the authentic, the weird and the wonderful were celebrated at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club and proved that more of this in London is absolutely neccesary.