Headliner and PLASA launch CRE8 event for DJs producers & self-producing artists

The Headliner Group and PLASA are joining forces to launch CRE8, a brand-new flagship event for DJs, producers and self-producing artists, in partnership with Tileyard and supported by Sonical, Bop DJ, SoundOn and TikTok LIVE.

Tileyard North, located opposite The Hepworth in Wakefield, is one of the UK’s fastest-growing creative clusters and the northern home of Tileyard London, Europe's largest creative community and music industry hub.

The venue will host CRE8 on 7th March 2026, welcoming internationally renowned DJs, artists, and producers for a full day of performances and educational panels. It will also showcase the latest and greatest equipment from leading brands, giving attendees the opportunity to get hands-on with professional gear, and aims to put Wakefield and the wider northern music scene firmly on the national stage.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Headliner Group and Tileyard North to launch an event that truly bridges the worlds of professional audio, DJ culture, and music production,” said Peter Heath, PLASA managing director. “PLASA has always been about connecting people, technology, and creativity - and this collaboration allows us to engage directly with the next generation of talent shaping the industry. Together, we’re creating a space where aspiring DJs and producers can learn, connect, and discover the tools and insights they need to build sustainable, successful careers.”

“CRE8 embraces everything that Tileyard stands for in terms of nurturing and supporting emerging talent, and it’s particularly exciting that this event will launch from our Tileyard North campus,” added Nick Keynes, Co-Founder of Tileyard.

“The UK has famously been known as an exporter of electronic music for many years,” said Headliner Group COO, Rian Zoll-Khan. “Some of the world’s biggest DJs and music producers started here and contribute to the mammoth global business of Dance music. CRE8 is an opportunity to gather together an audience who want to further their careers as a DJ or music producer.”

Unlike traditional trade shows, CRE8 is set to be an immersive experience to inspire the industry’s rising talent, and will also include dedicated spaces for wellness and education, reflecting its commitment to supporting creatives both on and off the stage. 

“We’re passionate about connecting artists with the very latest in audio innovation,” said Gary Spittle, CEO at Sonical. “Partnering with this event was an easy decision for us. The UK has been waiting for a DJ-focused showcase of this calibre, and we’re proud to help set a new standard for what’s possible in live music culture.”

Confirmed names so far include DJ and producer TeeDee, who will perform live before joining Omar Khan, founder of Hyperactive World, for an on-stage conversation about building a successful label and the evolution of the Bassline and house scene in Yorkshire. Singer Ace Clvrk will also perform and take part in a masterclass in vocal production led by producer Mulally - all streamed globally via TikTok LIVE.

Central to CRE8 is Behind the Beat, a four-part educational series, also broadcast on TikTok LIVE. The programme will unpack the core stages of music creation, including beatmaking, vocal production and track breakdowns, with open Q&As with leading producers and DJs taking place throughout the day, giving visitors and aspiring artists direct access to industry expertise.

With the Headliner Group and TikTok LIVE’s recent collaboration showcasing emerging music talent at Pub in the Park drawing 6 million impressions and 72,000 live viewers across three days, Headliner aims to build on this success, ensuring that CRE8’s annual event becomes the backdrop for a global conversation around the future of DJing and music production.

Attendees will receive exclusive goodie bags loaded with free plugins, how-to guides and offers and students will benefit from discounted tickets. CRE8 also supports Restore The Music (RTM), a charity resourcing music departments in schools where more than 50% of pupils receive free school meals, ensuring that CRE8 delivers genuine community benefit as well as industry inspiration. 

“CRE8 will educate, inform and power the heart of the UK's DJ and music production community with our partners in Professional Audio, tech innovation and the music business leading the way,” added Zoll-Khan.

“Tileyard is all about community and connecting people, and as a result of these connections, the magic happens, so we very much hope that this is the first of many future collaborations,” said Nick Keynes.

For more information about CRE8 and details of how to get involved, visit cre8dj.com.

Event details

● Date: 7th March 2026

● Location: Tileyard North, Wakefield

● Tickets: £20 standard entry and £15 concessions, available from cre8dj.com