Meanhood Studios: Headingley's new grassroots music hub aiming to 'level the playing field' in DJ culture
A new grassroots music space is set to open its doors in Headingley this month, carrying a mission to make DJing, vinyl, and music culture more accessible to everyone in Leeds.
Meanhood Studios will officially launch next week, combining a professional DJ rehearsal studio, a record shop, a performance space, and a tuition hub under one roof.
Founded by long-time LS6 residents Jim and Katie Young, the creative space is designed to break down the barriers of a scene that the couple says has often felt exclusive and gatekept.
The project represents a major evolution of Meanhood, which originally began as a guerrilla pop-up record shop during the lockdown; what started with Jim selling records from his personal collection quickly grew through word-of-mouth into a respected local spot for carefully curated vinyl.
Now, the couple has transformed that shared passion into a family-run creative hub, inspired by their own vastly different journeys into the music world.
Jim’s roots are firmly planted in Manchester’s late-90s free party scene, where he began DJing at 17 under the guidance of a mentor who handed him a turntable and ten records. His career has since spanned the globe, from Hyde Park house parties to residencies at legendary clubs where he championed underground culture.
In contrast, Katie discovered music through pirate radio and library tapes in rural Cumbria before moving to Leeds for university. After a 20-year corporate career while supporting the local scene behind the scenes, she is now joining Jim to share that collective knowledge with the next generation.
Inside the new Headingley space, aspiring DJs and music lovers of all backgrounds will find access to high-end equipment, dedicated rehearsal spaces, and professional tuition.
"DJing is so much more than pushing buttons," Jim explains. "You’ve got to love it when no one’s watching. We want to share that knowledge and remove some of the barriers we experienced".
Whether you are looking to dig through the latest vinyl arrivals in the shop or want to master the decks for the first time, Meanhood Studios aims to provide a welcoming environment for the entire community.
The studio officially opens to the public with a launch party on March 13 at The Vinyl Whistle, 12 Otley Road in Headingley, marking a significant new chapter for the LS6 music scene, offering a permanent home for the underground culture that Jim and Katie have supported for decades.