A NIGHT WITH BOY BLUE 2025
Our Barbican Takeover

Photographer – Ferrelly

From the 9-11 May 2025, Boy Blue took over the Barbican with sold-out shows, foyer performances, a panel talk and battles, with dancers from all over the UK.

Friday 9 May

BB Frontline Foyer Performers
hosted by Syxx Isaac

We invited dance groups, schools and organisations associated and affiliated with Boy Blue, to perform as part of our takeover, at our BB Frontline Foyer Shows, which took place in the Barbican foyer.
This showcase was created utilising the following dance groups from across the UK:
Steppaz
Black footprint icons with the word STEPPAZ across them and EST. 2013 below on a white circular background.

B.A.D Academy
Black shield with an orange silhouette of a breakdancer doing a handstand and white text reading Barking Abbey Dance Academy.

G.V.O
White letters G and V followed by a white smiley face with two vertical eyes on a black background.

New Prime
Dance group performing in black outfits with white shoes on stage in front of many purple trophies, one dancer at center flexes arms while others bow forward.

SKD Allstars
White bold letters S K P with paint drip effect on a black background.

ID Squad
Circular logo with the text 'ACADEMY' overlaying a simplified map of the United Kingdom.

Swag Out
Text logo reading 'SwagOut Revolutionz' with 'SwagOut' in textured red uppercase letters and 'Revolutionz' in textured yellow uppercase letters.

Funk of the Future
White circular logo with a dancing figure at the center, flanked by stylized F letters, and the text 'Funk of the Future EST. 2017' surrounding it on a dark brick wall background.

Elementz
Three hip-hop dancers performing energetically on stage with a large screen in the background.

UEL Dance Collectiv
Logo with teal text 'UEL DANCE' over a teal brush stroke, with 'COLLECTIVE EST. 2015' underneath on a black background.

Corded UK
Black and white photo of people dancing outdoors with the word 'CORDED' in a square overlay at the center.

Panel Talk: Hip Hop Matters

Barbican Frobisher Auditorium 1

A conversation about all things hip-hop. Bringing together a group of diverse and compelling guests, including artists, creators and cultural commentators, this talk took a deep dive into what makes hip hop a global force and why it continues to resonate with new generations.

Hosted by Kurty Swift. The panellists were Ivan Michael Blackstock, Marlon 'Swoosh' Wallen, Prilla, Kieran Lai, Bella Chieza, Olu Alatise and Gary Clarke.
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Seven people sit on stage in a panel discussion with a large 'BOY BLUE' sign projected behind them, each holding a colorful microphone.

Reviews:

The5thElement - “As panels go, this was pound-for-pound the best lineup you could get with the subject in mind… A perfect mix of experience, youth; varied disciplines of expertise and as a whole a deep love for the subject.”
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Saturday 10 May

BB Frontline Foyer Performers
hosted by Syxx Isaac

This showcase was formed of the following groups from across the UK:
Project Pac
Round black and yellow emblem with stylized intertwined letters 'P' and 'D' in the center, surrounded by the text 'PROJECT PAC' at the top and 'EST. 2020' at the bottom.

Body Politic Youth
Three dancers performing on stage with purple lighting, wearing casual shirts and pants, with hands placed behind their heads.

Hydrogen
Black brushstroke circle enclosing two stylized Chinese calligraphy characters on white background.

London CDS
'THE | PLACE' text in large, bold gradient pink to red letters on a black background.

Impact Dance
Impact Dance logo in purple text with est. '95.

LMA London
LMA logo in bold orange letters above the text 'LOVE MEDIA - LOVE MUSIC - LOVE ARTS' with the word LOVE highlighted in orange.

Platinum Academy
Logo with white text that reads 'Platinum Academy of Performing Arts' on a teal background.

Fundamentalz
Word 'FUNDAMENTALZ' in bold black brushstroke font over an orange soundwave graphic.

UDA
Logo of Urban Dance Academy with bold white text 'UDA' in center and circular text around it.

Konverse
Round logo with the words Konverse Dance Crews encircling overlapping letters KDC in the center on a black background.

Flawless NxtGen
Black diamond shape with a stylized letter 'f' above the text 'NXT GEN' inside a white circle on a black background.

A Night With Boy Blue - Show #1

The entire Boy Blue company took to the Barbican main stage, for 2 sold out nights of shows, showcasing old and new pieces, with 200 dancers from age 5, up to adults. A Night With Boy Blue mixes explosive choreography, impeccable musicality and a joyful sense of community.
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Sunday 11 May

BB Frontline Battle

BB Frontline Battle brought nearly 100 battlers from all over the UK to the Barbican main stage, with a chance to win a £1000 cash prize.
Hosted by Kenrick 'H20' Sandy, the line-up of guest judges were Brooke Milliner, Evion Mantis and Cori D Lionne, with music supplied by DJ Lewis Tigran.

Two dancers performing in the center of a stage surrounded by a large crowd of spectators under blue lighting.

A Night With Boy Blue - Show #2

Group of dancers in blue jackets performing a synchronized dance with one dancer leaning back in the center under dramatic stage lighting.

Reviews:
I am Hip-Hop
“Powerful and uplifting weekend of dance, music and community”
"More than a showcase, this was a statement. Boy Blue isn’t just performing hip-hop. They’re preserving it, pushing it forward and building a community around it that keeps it real."
Read the full review‍
A Young(ish) Perspective ****
“evening was filled with vitality, movement and the unmistakable energy that only a dance family like Boy Blue can bring”
“left the theatre not just entertained but genuinely inspired… gave us a glimpse into a world we might want to step into ourselves.”
Read the full reviewThe Stage
"Intoxicating, euphoric, almost hallucinatory”
Read the full review

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