upperground

upperground is a new DJ residency at V&A East Museum, inviting artists and selectors to activate the museum’s upper ground floor on Thursday evenings. Each edition places the spotlight on one guest DJ, giving them space to develop an extended set through their own musical language. Moving across genres, generations and geographies, upperground recognises DJing and selection as creative practices that connect histories, communities and sounds. Taking place during the museum’s public opening hours, the programme explores how live music can change the way a museum is inhabited and create space to listen, dance, meet and experience the building differently. Opening the series on Thursday 6 August is London-based DJ, producer, singer and activist Josh Caffé, whose work moves through the fringes of house, techno and queer club culture. About Josh Caffé Of British-Ugandan descent, Josh Caffé has spent the past decade shaping London’s house and techno landscape as a DJ, producer, singer-songwriter and activist. His sets draw on classic Chicago house, UK acid culture, 2000s rap and the influence of artists including Prince and Grace Jones. Alongside appearances at Panorama Bar and Adonis, Caffé curates the Love Child party at fabric, where he is also a resident. His collaborations include work with Honey Dijon, Paranoid London and saxophonist Alex White, while his latest EP, The Velvet Hour, released in July 2026 on dh2, draws on the intimacy, experimentation and charged atmosphere of the early morning dancefloor within queer club culture.