sit-down interview series, and created a 20-minute video that just… captured the whole thing. And honestly, the feedback was amazing." What they're describing goes beyond typical event planning. Cosy Kreations is becoming a cultural infrastructure, part creative agency, part community centre, and part hopeful experiment in grassroots collaboration. e duo juggle WhatsApp groups, partnerships, late-night set-ups, and last-minute PA system failures with a sort of stubborn optimism. "One of our venues had a broken PA the week before the event," Chelsea recalls. Mai said with a smile, "We were running up and down the street with speakers, asking mates, musicians, even my uncle who used to be in a band.… It was a chaotic scene. But we pulled it o. e crowd had no idea." eir open mic series, held in collaboration with Ditto Co ee, has become a cornerstone of the Cosy Kreations brand. Ditto's link to Ditto Music, an independent record label, has opened the door to opportunities for performers to submit demos, receive streaming support, and launch their careers. But Mai and Chelsea aren't just content being connectors. ey're dreaming of much bigger things. "We'd love to have our own label one day," Mai says. "A real community label, where young or underrepresented artists can release music, keep their rights, and get proper support. We've had people travel from Blackpool to perform not because of money but because the opportunity just isn't there elsewhere." at tension between ambition and
accessibility, between platform and pro t, is something the pair navigate constantly. While ticket sales cover costs, they're committed to keeping prices low and events open to all. eir rst open mic sent 100% of pro ts to Zoe's Place, a local children's hospice. eir second gave 50%. And for future shows? ey're exploring hybrid models, including PR packages for artists, DIY recording help and licensing support - anything to create sustainability without compromising accessibility. eir model resonates most with millennials and Gen Z attendees. Post-pandemic, there's been a cultural dri away from alcohol-centred nightlife and towards sober, purpose-driven gatherings. And Cosy Kreations ts that moment perfectly. "People are socialising dierently now," says Chelsea. "It's not about clubbing until 3am anymore. ere's a massive appetite for non-alcoholic creative spaces. It's not just Liverpool; I've seen it across the North. People are looking for meaning. ey want to belong." And belong they do. From spoken word performers who have attended every open mic night to attendees making friends at painting socials, Cosy Kreations is cultivating something rare; a creative network with a heart. One attendee summed it up simply; "I've made more friends at these events than I did in two years of uni." But don't be fooled by the so glow of fairy lights and group
34
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker