Rapper Bee Asha and filmmaker Léa Luiz de Oliveira entered the world of non-profits after collaborating on a BBC Scotland documentary which explored Asha’s journey of sexual trauma and recovery through honest, and sometimes controversial art. The collaborative process raised questions. ‘How can we make a change as artists?’ says Asha, ‘What issues or topics affect the people within our community? What do they want to explore and how can we support them in exploring that?’ The answer was to create the Spit It Out initiative, hosting a huge range of events, from exhibitions and live poetry to gig nights.

Out of that partnership came last year’s Aye Festival. It returns for its sophomore effort under a new moniker, Spit It Out Festival, but it’s still embracing issues of consent, mental-health education, community and transformative justice. ‘In 2021, when we started preparing the first festival, Bee was like, “this is bullshit; all of the other festivals promote inclusivity and diversity, but this is not true”,’ recalls co-founder de Oliveira. ‘When you look around, most people are white and most people are men. It was just really annoying. We started creating something that would promote marginalised voices in a way that was actually fun, and not just being like, “this is what we’re trying to do”.’ 

This year, the festival’s diverse range of live performances includes Hak Baker at King Tut’s in Glasgow and JGrrey at Edinburgh’s Summerhall, with a line-up of workshops including embroidery and boxing, and conversations delving into men’s mental health and allyship. The festival will also welcome three exclusive exhibitions: a video, photography and sound exhibition from Regina Mosch titled Over/Exposed explores the experience of micro-aggressions against queer people; photography series Snake Lotus by Nikki Kilburn colourfully reflects themes of ancestry and social constructs; and Sophia Bharmal’s show Coming Home will look at her British-Indian background and identity as a Muslim woman. ‘Sophia created this entire collection around her heritage and her relationship with religion and her culture,’ says de Oliveira. ‘There’s a lot about her mum as well; the way she sacrificed so much but achieved so much too.’ 

Spit It Out aims to welcome everyone, trying to make sure the experience is not only entertaining and memorable, but also a safe and all-embracing space. This has led to much consideration and tailoring when it comes to event planning. For example, this year, free alcohol will not be promoted; instead, there will be dry poetry events and exhibition openings to ensure more inclusivity. 

The project has its roots in providing open spaces to develop conversations around sometimes challenging subjects such as sex education, racism, LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health and body image. There are many ways to build community, and Spit It Out values the fundamental need to feel heard. ‘People would tell me, “Spit It Out? Isn’t that aggressive?”’, notes Asha. ‘And I would reply, “we’re not saying it in a way that is malicious or angry, or telling people to do something against their will”. It’s very much like allowing yourself to be honest. Allow yourself to be open.’ 

The festival is a great reminder that art, music and conversation are powerful forces that have been used for centuries to deconstruct harmful narratives and develop communities with open minds and hearts. ‘I think our main community is people who have experienced trauma, wherever they come from, whatever their story is,’ says de Oliveira. ‘I like to think that we give a chance for people to grow, and to try new things and find some sense of belonging. People can come and go, but we’re always going to be there.’

Spit It Out Festival, various venues, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and online, Thursday 15–Sunday 25 June.