The Radio 1 drum and bass don discusses the ethos behind her inclusive event series UNITEE, and shares what fans can expect from her debut London headline show this November.

Date published: 30th Oct 2025

Charlie Tee - BBC Radio 1’s trusted drum and bass tastemaker and one of the leading women shaping the UK scene - has been a familiar voice on the nation’s airwaves since 2022. Known for her instinctive ear for uncovering the next wave of talent, she has helped spotlight now household names like Nia Archives, Bou and A Little Sound. But her influence doesn’t stop at the decks - she’s also a gifted selector and now promoter in her own right.

Ahead of her first-ever headline set in London this November - a night promising her own high-energy, forward-thinking drum and bass experience, UNITEE - we caught up with Charlie during a rare moment of downtime. Keep reading to see how she reflects on a whirlwind summer of festivals, plus get a glimpse into her debut headline show, and discover her tips on the future stars she believes will shape the sound of drum and bass in 2026.

 

Hey, Charlie! Thanks for speaking to us! Set the scene for us right now - where are you? What’s your plan for the day? What’re you listening to?

“It’s a lush autumn day here in South London. The sun is shining and I’ve just got back from a coffee run. I’ve been trying to walk first thing in the morning, and it’s a great time to catch up on new music - Hedex’s new album has been on repeat recently, obsessed!”

 

This summer looks to have been another busy one for you, with appearances at the BBC Radio One Big Weekend, Boomtown, Glastonbury and Let It Roll. Any personal highlights?

“The last few summers have been truly insane, but I honestly don’t know how we’ll ever top this one. 

“I’ve played a B2B with my DJ idol Andy C to 40,000 people on the main stage at Boomtown - the stuff of dreams and a set I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I also played a sunrise set at the Temple at Glastonbury, a stage I’ve dreamt of playing for the last decade (I’ve been to Glastonbury 8 times now), so that was such a special moment to play that stage after spending so many hours in the crowd in there.

“Radio One’s Big Weekend is always such a wholesome one! Last year, I met a little girl who was 10 years old and had watched all my DJ sets online with her mum and dad, but hadn’t been to see me live before, with most events being 18+. Moments like that really mean so much and stick with me. It’s what this music is all about. Uniting people regardless of age.”

 

 

Amidst all the travelling, gigs and festivals, you’ve been broadcasting every week live from BBC Radio 1, recently celebrating 3 years at the helm! How do you find time to juggle it all, and have you experienced any changes in the scene during your tenure?

“It’s so mad that it’s been 3 years already! Especially when I look back at the calibre of guests we’ve been blessed to have on the show already, like Becky Hill, Aitch, Sub Focus, Andy C, Fabio & Grooverider (who were the original hosts of the show, so that was a beautiful moment).

“Honestly, it’s such an honour to do this show week in and week out, and our mission has always remained the same since its inception: to provide opportunity for artists of all abilities, genders, sexualities and backgrounds. I want it to be a place where everyone feels welcome and something you can reach for when you need a friend or some escapism.”

 

You also have your own event brand, UNITEE. Tell us how it came to be, about the ethos behind it all, and what makes it unique from other drum and bass events?

“Unitee has always been a passionate project at heart. I’ve always been so motivated by bringing people together through music and felt that there wasn’t enough diversity on a lot of the lineups I was seeing. So when Mixology and Under reached out to create an events series together a couple of years ago, it felt serendipitous. We spend a lot of time and energy curating our lineups, which in turn perpetuates a much better culture on the dancefloor.”

 

 

And you’re now set to debut your first-ever headline show in London this November, U + ME = UNITEE. What’s the concept behind this, and what can we expect from the event? 

“The idea behind ‘U + Me = UNITEE’ is that it’s more than just a DJ set: it’s an audiovisual representation of why I love this music so much… putting the raver at the forefront of the show.

“For me, DJing is all about energy transference and on the 29th November, we’ll see that happening in real time for the first time in drum and bass. The name ‘UNITEE’ plays on the word ‘unity’, underlining the inclusive, cross-background, community-driven vibe of the night.

“The venue itself is a perfect match for this concept. Number 90 in Hackney Wick has recently undergone a significant refurbishment and technical upgrade, which included acoustic treatments, an upgraded sound system, bespoke lighting, projection mapping and a new floor, all of which serve to maximise the immersive experience. It’s an environment built for connection. When the sound is so refined, the visuals are so strong, the space so intentionally designed, it promotes an experience where people feel part of something, not just spectators. Inside that space, we unite to create a single, shared moment.”

 

Naturally, we couldn’t sit down with one of the UK’s most influential voices in drum and bass without asking for their take on the artists set to define 2026. Tell us who you’re excited about right now and who’s shaping up to be the next big thing?

“I don’t think I’ve played a set in the last 12 months without at least one Pirapus track in it. The production is immaculate, and their sound is so versatile and dynamic. My heart literally skips a beat every time I get a promo from them. 

“In terms of DJ talent, I’m really loving Pinx & Nersha right now. Both of them have played for our flagship UNITEE show in Peterborough, and their passion, mixing ability, and stage presence are top-tier.”

 

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Tickets for Charlie Tee’s U + ME = UNITEE are now on sale and can be purchased below:

 

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Header image credit: Charlie Tee / Facebook.com