Meanhood Studios is the brainchild of long-time LS6 residents Jim and Katie Young, a duo whose roots in the northern music scene run deep.
What began as a guerrilla pop-up record shop during the 2020 lockdown - with Jim selling hand-picked gems from his own personal vinyl collection - has evolved into a permanent, multi-functional home for the local creative community.
Jim’s history in the late-90s Manchester free party scene and Katie’s decades of experience in event support have converged to create a space that feels more like a shared living room for audiophiles than a traditional retail unit.
The new studio in Headingley is built on a ‘no gatekeeping’ philosophy, aiming to dismantle the barriers that often make the DJ world feel exclusive or intimidating.
By combining a professional-grade rehearsal studio with a curated record shop and a tuition hub, the founders have created a "level playing field" for everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned selectors.
Take a look at the gallery of photos below as Yorkshire Evening Post photographer Jonathan Gawthorpe got to take a look around the new space.
1. Welcome to Meanhood
Meanhood Studios is looking to remove the 'gatekeeping' element within the DJ scene. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
2. Welcome to Meanhood
Jim and Katie Young started the space after a mutual love of DJ culture and pirate radio. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
3. Welcome to Meanhood
The space is not just for collecting vinyl, but to inspire a new generation of aspiring DJs to give it a go. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
4. Welcome to Meanhood
Be it learning how to beat juggle, through to learning how to set up a multi-thousand-pound DJ set-up. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
5. Welcome to Meanhood
Jim even promises to teach you how to DJ with cassette tapes, if that's your vibe. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
6. Welcome to Meanhood
The space has its grand opening this evening, and those wishing to visit can do so by heading along to Vinyl Whistle and experiencing the space themselves. | Jonathan Gawthorpe