Bradford 2025: What Were The Secret Daytimer Parties For South Asian Youth In The 1980s?

Ever heard of a party that happened in the middle of the day? Not a family BBQ, but a proper, secret club event. Picture this: it’s the 1980s, you’re a British South Asian teenager, and your parents are pretty strict about nightlife. So, what do you do? You and your mates bunk off school or college to go to a club in the afternoon.

These secret gatherings, known as Daytimers, were a massive part of youth culture. Now, a groundbreaking new event for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture is bringing this incredible story to life. It's called Built by Sound, and it's an immersive experience that lets you step right back into that world.

What Exactly Is Built by Sound?

Built by Sound isn’t a film or a play in the usual sense. It’s a mixed-reality installation — blending real sets, lighting, sound, and VR/AR tech to create a time-travel experience. Running from 21 November to 14 December 2025, this world-premiere event is a major cultural moment for Bradford.

The creative team behind it includes:

• Story by author Nikesh Shukla
• Guided narration from broadcaster Anita Rani
• Directed by immersive producer Shehani Fernando
• Soundtrack by DJ and producer Provhat Rahman

The project is a collaboration between the Emmy-winning studio No Ghost, artist-led platform Dialled In, and Bradford 2025, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A Trip Back In Time: What To Expect

This is a fully interactive, walk-through experience. Groups of six strap on headsets and begin a journey through key moments in British South Asian history.

It starts in the 1970s, inside the bedroom of a second-generation South Asian teenager — posters, music, family life, everything captured in detail. From there, you move to a photography studio and then onto the streets of 1980s Bradford.

The finale transports you directly into the joy and energy of a Daytimers party. You feel the bass, see the fashion, and experience the freedom these daytime gatherings offered.

The installation uses personal testimonies, archival film, and powerful black-and-white photography from Tim Smith and Tony Walker, bringing the era vividly to life.

More Than Just a Party

Daytimers were far more than an excuse to dance. For many young British South Asians, they were an act of rebellion and cultural expression.

It was a time when the National Front marched through cities and racism was an everyday threat. Instead of shrinking away, young people created their own scene — on their own terms.

Daytimers became a safe space, a movement powered by creativity, identity, and community. They shaped what it meant to be both British and Asian at a time when those identities weren’t always accepted together.

Why This Story Matters Now: Voices From the Creators

Anita Rani, presenter and Bradford native:

“I’m Bradford born and Bradford bred, that Yorkshire stone and grit built me… British Asian kids were carving out their own spaces and shaping their identities in ways that were not only uniquely British, but uniquely Bradford. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this project… Our stories shape this land, and it’s vital we tell them ourselves.”

Author Nikesh Shukla:

“With rising fascism and racists attacking people on the streets… it feels like an apt time to look to the past for inspiration. Daytimers were my first experience of going out and feeling connected with my community. The heroes we write about deserve more prominence in our history books.”

Producer Shehani Fernando:

“Their stories — from life in the mills and struggles against racism to the rise of Daytimers — reveal the resilience and creativity of Bradford’s Asian community. We wanted to honour that legacy and let audiences step into those stories.”

The project is co-produced by Dialled In, one of the UK’s most important platforms for South Asian artists, ensuring these vital stories get the spotlight they deserve.

The Details You Need To Know

What: Built by Sound
When: 21 November – 14 December 2025
Where: Loading Bay, 1 Duke Street, Bradford, BD1 3QR
Tickets: From £10
Age: 14+
More Info: bradford2025.co.uk