ArtistDirect News
Trans+ Future Sounds Launches at Abbey Road with Fred again.. and TCC Leaders
When the doors of Abbey Road Studios swung open on Friday, 19 June 2026, they didn’t just reveal a historic studio—they unveiled a new platform for trans+ creators. The inaugural Trans+ Future Sounds series, free to attend, was staged at the world‑famous London studio by the Trans Creative Collective (TCC) and the advocacy group We Are Moving The Needle.
The two‑and‑a‑half‑hour event ran from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and brought together 15 trans+ songwriters, 15 trans+ producers and 15 industry professionals. A production and songwriting workshop, led by British producer and songwriter Fred again.., ran alongside live performances and mentorship sessions. Participants received hands‑on instruction, networking opportunities and guidance from established artists, managers, A&R representatives and creative leaders. The programme also spotlighted the release of charlieeeee’s new EP FISH FOOD, which debuted on the same day.
TCC, founded in 2021 by mastering engineer Emily Lazar, has become a leading community for trans+ creators in the UK. Lazar, who earned a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Non‑Classical for Beck’s Colors, established the collective to offer workshops, mentoring and industry partnerships for trans+ musicians, filmmakers and artists. We Are Moving The Needle, a global organisation that provides scholarships, research and advocacy for women, trans and non‑binary producers and engineers, partnered with TCC to launch the series.
The agenda was crafted to address a stark industry gap. According to We Are Moving The Needle’s Fix The Mix report, only 2.3 % of music producers are women, trans or non‑binary. Trans+ Future Sounds aims to place trans+ creators at the centre of the conversation and give them access to a studio that has shaped music history. “Since we started TCC in 2021, our whole mission has been to make space for trans+ creatives to thrive, not just survive, in the music industry,” said charlieeeee, co‑founder of TCC and founder of the Trans+ Future Sounds series. “Getting to welcome our community into Abbey Road, and to have artists like Fred again.. give their time and expertise, is genuinely moving. We want every trans+ producer, songwriter and creator who walks through those doors to feel celebrated.”
Fred again..—real name Frederick John Philip Gibson—brings two Grammy Awards to the table, including Best Dance/Electronic Album for Actual Life 3 and Best Dance/Electronic Recording for “Rumble” with Skrillex and Flowdan. His participation underscores the series’ commitment to high‑profile mentorship. The lineup also featured Sans Soucis, Messie, Satch, Trans Voices and charlieeeee, each offering a distinct perspective to the workshop.
Trans+ Future Sounds is more than a one‑off workshop. TCC and We Are Moving The Needle have announced additional events for 2026, signalling an ongoing effort to nurture talent, build community and influence industry practices. Launching at Abbey Road—a studio that has recorded the Beatles, Pink Floyd and countless other artists—provides a symbolic backdrop for the initiative.
At present, the Trans+ Future Sounds series has established its first event and announced future dates. The collective’s focus on mentorship, skill development and industry access reflects a broader push for diversity and representation in music production and songwriting. The initiative demonstrates a concrete step toward addressing the under‑representation of trans+ creators in the music industry, offering a platform for emerging talent to learn, perform and network within a historic studio setting.
The two‑and‑a‑half‑hour event ran from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and brought together 15 trans+ songwriters, 15 trans+ producers and 15 industry professionals. A production and songwriting workshop, led by British producer and songwriter Fred again.., ran alongside live performances and mentorship sessions. Participants received hands‑on instruction, networking opportunities and guidance from established artists, managers, A&R representatives and creative leaders. The programme also spotlighted the release of charlieeeee’s new EP FISH FOOD, which debuted on the same day.
TCC, founded in 2021 by mastering engineer Emily Lazar, has become a leading community for trans+ creators in the UK. Lazar, who earned a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Non‑Classical for Beck’s Colors, established the collective to offer workshops, mentoring and industry partnerships for trans+ musicians, filmmakers and artists. We Are Moving The Needle, a global organisation that provides scholarships, research and advocacy for women, trans and non‑binary producers and engineers, partnered with TCC to launch the series.
The agenda was crafted to address a stark industry gap. According to We Are Moving The Needle’s Fix The Mix report, only 2.3 % of music producers are women, trans or non‑binary. Trans+ Future Sounds aims to place trans+ creators at the centre of the conversation and give them access to a studio that has shaped music history. “Since we started TCC in 2021, our whole mission has been to make space for trans+ creatives to thrive, not just survive, in the music industry,” said charlieeeee, co‑founder of TCC and founder of the Trans+ Future Sounds series. “Getting to welcome our community into Abbey Road, and to have artists like Fred again.. give their time and expertise, is genuinely moving. We want every trans+ producer, songwriter and creator who walks through those doors to feel celebrated.”
Fred again..—real name Frederick John Philip Gibson—brings two Grammy Awards to the table, including Best Dance/Electronic Album for Actual Life 3 and Best Dance/Electronic Recording for “Rumble” with Skrillex and Flowdan. His participation underscores the series’ commitment to high‑profile mentorship. The lineup also featured Sans Soucis, Messie, Satch, Trans Voices and charlieeeee, each offering a distinct perspective to the workshop.
Trans+ Future Sounds is more than a one‑off workshop. TCC and We Are Moving The Needle have announced additional events for 2026, signalling an ongoing effort to nurture talent, build community and influence industry practices. Launching at Abbey Road—a studio that has recorded the Beatles, Pink Floyd and countless other artists—provides a symbolic backdrop for the initiative.
At present, the Trans+ Future Sounds series has established its first event and announced future dates. The collective’s focus on mentorship, skill development and industry access reflects a broader push for diversity and representation in music production and songwriting. The initiative demonstrates a concrete step toward addressing the under‑representation of trans+ creators in the music industry, offering a platform for emerging talent to learn, perform and network within a historic studio setting.