MENTAL: A Different Kind of Charity Night

Published on 2019-04-16 00:00:00 by Jago Lynch

Walking into a charity event, few sights are more disheartening than an empty room. Yet at MENTAL // A Dance For Mind, the night began precisely like this: Haseeb Iqbal hunched over the decks at Grow Tottenham, spinning Afrobeat to a scattering of nervous organizers at 10:30 PM.

But within minutes, any worries evaporated. The space erupted—not just with bodies, but with an electric, weekend-worthy energy that defied its Thursday slot. Iqbal’s grooves gave way to XMTR’s thunderous breaks, then Max Bogotyrow and Felix Raman’s techno and footwork finale. The crowd moved with equal fervor to every sound, their grins as relentless as the basslines.

Grow Tottenham proved the ideal home: intimate enough to feel packed (crucial for a fundraiser), yet spacious enough to draw a crowd that raised vital funds for Mind, the night’s chosen charity. With its raw, cage-like DJ booth and industrial charm, the venue channeled the DIY spirit of neighboring The Cause—unpretentious but professional, its sound system handling every genre with ease.

The best review came unprompted. As Raman mixed the last tracks, an organizer turned and laughed: “Man, I didn’t expect it to be this good.” And that’s the magic. When even the promoters are stunned by their own success, you know it was far from just another night.

Written by Jago Lynch