A new events brand built on a simple premise – world-class DJs, gourmet food, no phones on the dance floor, and everyone home by midnight – has sold 80% of its launch tickets within seven days of going on sale.
Escapism, founded by Manchester serial entrepreneur Dez Derry, makes its debut at Victoria Baths in October. A London event is already being planned for April 2027.
Derry, who founded and sold tech business Blume to Sun Capital and helped take law firm Fletchers Group past £100m turnover, is launching the venture in the live events market rooted in his own experience of trauma and the relentless pace of business life.
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The brand brings world-class electronic music, high-profile DJs and gourmet food to iconic venues with two important rules: no phones on the dance floor, and everyone home by midnight.
Events are planned for London, Leeds and Bristol following the Manchester launch.
Derry, who became an ambassador for Adoption Matters after speaking publicly about his own experience of being adopted, says the venture is driven by equal parts personal passion and commercial instinct. He knows from both his upbringing and years in high-pressure business that people carry more than they let on.
“There’s a growing market of professionals who want to go out and switch off but don’t want to be up until 6am. There’s no standout brand doing this well. That’s what Escapism is.”
After retiring at 40, Derry was keen for his future investments to be purposeful.
“The business world is relentless, and a lot of people are carrying things they never say out loud. A safe space where you escape and actually let go – that matters more than most people admit. So this isn’t just a commercial play for me, it’s personal.”
Co-founder Geoff Oakes, founder of the legendary Renaissance brand that helped redefine UK club culture in the 1990s, leads the creative vision. The debut event features Grammy-winning duo Deep Dish, pioneering DJ Smokin Jo and rising talent Pattn.
Derry has also confirmed plans to platform DJs who are care leavers in his continued work as Adoption Matters ambassador. He is also actively pursuing M&A of complementary businesses in the live event space.
