On June 17th, Monkey Shoulder Whisky is inviting Londoners to drop the needle, raise a glass, and enter a wholly immersive audio-visual experience in celebration of World Music Day. Teaming up with KEF, the masters of high-fidelity sound, Monkey Shoulder Records is a unique pop-up at KEF Music Gallery in Central London that reimagines the traditional record store through the lenses of sound, style, and curated culture.
Blending the tactile joys of crate-digging with the atmosphere of a listening bar, the experience draws its energy from a diverse panel of musical curators: grime legend DJ Target, genre-blending vocalist Katy B, and selector-dancer hybrid DJ Arthi. The trio has each pulled together a personal ‘vibe-only’ crate of vinyl records — selections designed not for the charts, but for the moment. Think: moody floor-fillers, underground bangers, and nostalgia-inducing anthems — all played on KEF’s state-of-the-art speakers, including their showstopping MUONs.
As DJ Target, author of Grime Kids and Roll Deep founding member, puts it:
“Concepts and spaces like Monkey Shoulder Records showcase the pleasure of listening to vinyl — and I’m here for it. You really can’t beat finding your perfect record, taking it out of the sleeve, and placing it on your turntable. Just hearing that little crackle at the start of the track gives me goosebumps!”
The space — located at KEF’s flagship at 42-48 Great Portland Street — will host a series of intimate listening sessions throughout the day. Each hour offers a new chance to explore sonic storytelling, guided by vinyl crates handpicked by some of the UK’s most iconic independent record stores: Honest Jon’s (London), Eastern Bloc (Manchester), Klang Tone (Stroud), Strip Joint (Glasgow), Digger’s Club (Cardiff), Sister Ray (London) and Swordfish Records (Birmingham). Their combined decades of curation, knowledge, and fandom infuse each session with musical integrity and heart.
Layered over the top is Monkey Shoulder’s cocktail program — an exclusive menu designed to pair with musical genres. Expect bold sips and sonic nostalgia with a twist; drinks that elevate jazz with citrus complexity, hip-hop with smoky warmth, or pop with sparkling finesse.
Peckham-raised Katy B, whose voice defined a generation of club-goers, describes the project’s influence on her upcoming album: “Searching through and selecting my top ten Monkey Shoulder Records inspired me to write a new song ahead of my upcoming album! In my vinyl crate, I’ve chosen songs that are meant for the club (my happy place) but also ones that have a rich, sonic experience.”
Worldwide FM, the global music community led by tastemaker Gilles Peterson, also joins the party, spotlighting underground and international grooves as part of their ongoing collaboration with Monkey Shoulder’s ‘Studio’ project. It’s a nod to the power of vinyl as a borderless medium — the original connector.
DJ Arthi, whose journey from Beyoncé’s tour dancer to rising selector mirrors her genre-crossing tastes, brings a deeply personal edge to her curated set.
“In my crate, there’s stuff I don’t normally get to play in my sets and chosen specifically for the listening bar environment. It was really fun to curate for this cosy space with such incredible sound. I can’t wait for you all to hear my choices!”
As dusk falls, the vibe transitions. The decks fire up for an evening session with DJ Target and Arthi spinning live from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Entry is first-come, first-served — a true vinyl head’s reward.
Whether you’re a lifelong crate-digger, cocktail connoisseur, or curious audiophile, Monkey Shoulder Records is more than an activation — it’s a celebration of musical discovery and human connection.
Monkey Shoulder Records opens Tuesday 17th June at KEF Music Gallery, London. Day sessions run hourly from 12:30–17:30. Bookings via KEF’s website.
