By admin 
The vibrant literary scene in London recently witnessed an unprecedented convergence of raw artistic expression and an electrifying atmosphere as Dream Baby Press, the innovative publishing and entertainment platform founded by filmmaker and poet Matt Starr, hosted its inaugural international event. The All-Star Boxing Gym in West London, a venue typically associated with the thud of gloves and the sweat of disciplined athletes, was transformed into a pulsating hub of intellectual and performative artistry. The queue outside the family-run community gym stretched along the wall, a testament to the event’s unexpected draw. A local shopkeeper, accustomed to the gym’s usual clientele, remarked with genuine surprise, "Who’s fighting tonight? I haven’t seen it like this in a long time. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it like this," observing a diverse crowd including women in vintage fur coats and tabi flats of all colors, signalling a distinct departure from the norm.
The Genesis of Dream Baby Press: A Vision for Accessible Literature
Dream Baby Press emerged in 2022 from Matt Starr’s singular vision: to make reading and writing fun, accessible, and, notably, sexy. Starr, a multifaceted artist known for his work as a filmmaker and poet, identified a niche for literary events that broke free from traditional, often staid, academic settings. His approach has consistently involved hosting readings in distinctly unconventional locations, transforming everyday spaces into stages for profound and often provocative literary performances. In New York, past Dream Baby Press events have taken place in iconic, unexpected venues such as the city’s oldest donut shop, Peter Pan Donuts, a multi-level Burger King, and the oldest magic shop in the United States. These choices are not merely whimsical; they are integral to Starr’s philosophy of democratizing literature, bringing it to the people in spaces they already inhabit, stripping away any perceived elitism often associated with literary circles. This strategy has proven highly effective, attracting a broad audience and featuring notable past readers including Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell and actress Jemima Kirke. Beyond live events, Dream Baby Press has cultivated a significant online presence through its engaging "love/hate lists" on Substack and Instagram, which have garnered a dedicated following, with contributions from cultural figures like Lena Dunham. This multi-platform approach underscores the brand’s commitment to broad accessibility and contemporary engagement.
London Calling: An International Expansion
The decision to bring Dream Baby Press to London marked a significant milestone for the platform, representing its first foray outside the United States. Starr’s affinity for the British capital has been a long-standing one. "I’ve wanted to do a Dream Baby event in London for two years," Starr shared with Vogue. "I’m obsessed with London. Always have been. I love the rom-coms, Paddington Bear, the historic buildings, walking around the old streets late at night. I know I’ll move here one day." This personal connection was bolstered by compelling data: the United Kingdom consistently ranks as Dream Baby Press’s second-largest audience base outside of the United States. Starr noted the consistent demand from his UK followers: "I kept getting messages from people asking when we were coming to town." This organic demand provided a clear mandate for the international expansion, demonstrating the universal appeal of Dream Baby Press’s unique blend of literary entertainment. The event was an instant sell-out, underscoring the anticipation and readiness of the London audience for such an innovative cultural experience.
The All-Star Boxing Gym: A Stage for Unconventional Storytelling
Upon entering the All-Star Boxing Gym, guests climbed creaking stairs, emerging into a high-ceilinged gymnasium that retained its authentic character. Boxing bags hung from robust wooden beams, alongside team flags, creating a visually striking backdrop. The formidable old-school boxing ring, usually the arena for intense physical contests, dominated the room, now repurposed as the central stage for literary combat. This deliberate choice of venue speaks volumes about Dream Baby Press’s brand identity. It champions raw, unvarnished expression, mirroring the grit and authenticity of the boxing world. Upstairs, a makeshift bar offered plastic pints of wine, beer, and chips, maintaining a casual, communal atmosphere that encouraged interaction and informality, further breaking down barriers often present in more formal literary gatherings. The blend of high fashion, literary enthusiasts, and the gritty realism of a boxing gym created a captivating juxtaposition, emblematic of Starr’s vision to merge disparate worlds.
An Evening of Unexpected Performances
The inaugural London lineup was a diverse and compelling roster of talents, each bringing their unique voice and perspective to the ring. The evening commenced not with a solemn literary address, but with an unexpected and thoroughly entertaining performance by a local Elvis impersonator. Dressed in a classic white jumpsuit with slicked-back hair, he captivated the audience with Presley’s greatest hits. His hip swivels, cowboy struts, and a particularly rousing rendition of "Suspicious Minds" caused the entire boxing ring to bounce with the rhythm of an engaged and delighted crowd, setting a playful, high-energy tone that defied conventional literary event expectations. This theatrical opening underscored Starr’s commitment to entertainment and accessibility, ensuring that even those new to literary readings felt welcome and engaged.
The literary segment of the evening kicked off with Mickey Down, co-creator of the critically acclaimed series Industry. Down’s contribution immediately highlighted the "sexy" and "pleasure" themes often associated with Dream Baby Press. He humorously reflected on his choice, stating, "[I’m] not sure what it says about myself or my work that I synonymize pleasure and horniness, but when Matt said the readings were meant to be about pleasure, my brain went to what could potentially be the horniest subsection of literature—fan fiction—and then, to the horniest subsection of the horniest subsection: Harry Potter fan fiction. Thankfully, there are thousands of entries online." Down then delivered an excerpt of steamy, dense prose centered on a sexual tryst with the Harry Potter character Neville Longbottom. He elaborated on his selection process: "I considered some Draco and Harry stuff, but in all honesty, it was just too horny, and most of it concerned ‘school age’ wizards… so was a little unsettling. So I settled for some soft core pansy Neville, Sex and the City-adjacent fantasy action that had some nice feminist inflections, despite using the words ‘her aching cunt’ to describe a children’s books character." His reading, audacious and self-aware, perfectly encapsulated the platform’s daring spirit.
Following Down, director, novelist, and Father Figure author Emma Forrest took to the ring. Dressed in slinky cream Paloma Wool trousers and a vibrant green Jacquemus top, which she described as "young brands," Forrest made a memorable entrance. "I think I was hyper-aware that I was entering into a young person’s arena, and maybe that’s also why I read a piece that culminates in the embrace of the female aging process, an erotic thrill to being deemed a hag," she explained. Her entry was notably theatrical; she crossed the threshold of the ring and immediately dropped to the floor for a series of energizing press-ups. "Having directed a movie [Untogether, starring Jemima and Lola Kirke], I like to block out the full use of a space," she commented, revealing that she had arrived early to meticulously plan her impactful stage presence. Her performance blended physical dynamism with profound literary themes, showcasing the performative aspect inherent in Dream Baby Press events.
Camille Charrière, a prominent figure in fashion and culture, then shared a snippet from her forthcoming debut memoir, Ashamed. She chose a passage from her second chapter, "Pardon My French," which explores her complex relationship with home as she navigated her move from France to London to work at a hedge fund. "It ties quite nicely with the theme of pleasure," Charrière explained, "because it’s about the agony and ecstasy of discovering a new city, working in your first job, and the excitement and freedom that comes with that… but there’s also all the pain and homesickness. It’s also about how terribly incompetent I was because I accepted this job in finance to follow a boy." Reading this early work proved to be both terrifying and galvanizing for her. "My piece was a bit more earnest," she admitted, "but there’s still a lot of pleasure to derive from that. I found the experience quite exposing. Getting into the ring, you feel naked. It’s like any form of sport…it pushes you to be better, to train more, to have endurance and consistency with your writing. I’m grateful to Matt for the invitation. I’ve gone through a rollercoaster of emotions since." Charrière reflected deeply on the memoir writing process: "I’ve accepted at this point that writing a memoir is a real journey of self discovery, because there’s the book you think you’re going to write, the story that you’ve been telling yourself and the world. And once you start digging—especially because the book explores vulnerability and shame, as well as the themes in the lives of many women like fertility, dating, pretty privilege—trying to untangle the story you tell yourself versus the honest one is very hard." She acknowledged the emotional toll of the process, including "hard emotional hangovers" after submitting chapters and "spurts of loneliness," but confirmed that the highly anticipated book is progressing. "I’m much more comfortable now with having found my voice, and saying to my editor when I need more time," she shared, emphasizing her dedication: "Because I care about this!" While a release date for Ashamed is yet to be announced, Charrière teased an upcoming column where more of her writing will be shared, hinting at continued literary ventures.
The evening also saw Bertie Brandes, writer of The Moment, utilize the unique platform to officially announce her forthcoming book, Problematic Faves, slated for release in 2027 via Bloomsbury. She read a passage about a "horrible perfume with a hint of insulin" and a pithy poem about the popular store Brandy Melville, which included two of her favorite personal lines: "Girl, interrupted from her phone," and "You do not get the clothing you desire, you get the clothing you deserve." Brandes expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, "I had the best time. Matt is so brilliant, and I hope we get to do many more."
Other notable participants included musician Kate Nash, who read work by the anonymous London author and chef Slutty Cheff, further diversifying the literary palette. British Vogue contributing editor and "goth it-girl" Tish Weinstock contributed by reading passages from Cookie Mueller’s iconic "Ask Dr. Mueller" columns, a fitting choice given Mueller’s reputation for candid, unconventional wisdom. Vogue Business contributing editor Amy Francombe and presenter Lea Ogunlami also graced the ring, showcasing the broad appeal of Dream Baby Press across various creative and media fields. The night was ultimately brought to a close by Matt Starr himself, who read from his own 2024 poetry collection, Mouthful, described as tender, horny, and humorous, perfectly encapsulating the diverse thematic range of the evening.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The London debut of Dream Baby Press at the All-Star Boxing Gym represents more than just a successful event; it signifies a potent force in the evolving landscape of contemporary literature and cultural events. Its success underscores several key trends:
- Democratization of Literature: By staging readings in unconventional, accessible venues like a boxing gym rather than traditional bookstores or academic halls, Dream Baby Press effectively lowers barriers to entry for new audiences, demonstrating that literary engagement can be dynamic, informal, and deeply entertaining. This approach resonates particularly with younger demographics and those who might feel alienated by more formal literary settings.
- The Rise of Performative Reading: The event highlighted the increasing emphasis on performance within literary readings. From Emma Forrest’s theatrical entrance to the Elvis impersonator’s opening act, and the engaging delivery of each reader, it became clear that the spoken word, when treated as a performance art, can captivate and energize audiences in powerful ways. This blurs the lines between literature, theatre, and stand-up comedy, creating a hybrid entertainment form.
- Cross-Cultural Exchange and Global Reach: The successful expansion into London validates the universal appeal of Dream Baby Press’s model. It demonstrates a global hunger for fresh, unpretentious cultural experiences that foster connection and celebrate diverse voices. This international venture could pave the way for similar events in other major cultural capitals, further cementing Dream Baby Press’s role as a global platform.
- Innovation in Independent Publishing: In an era dominated by large publishing houses, independent platforms like Dream Baby Press showcase the power of niche curation, community building, and direct engagement with authors and readers. Their ability to generate buzz and sell out events speaks to the effectiveness of a passion-driven, audience-centric approach.
- The Power of Social Media and Digital Platforms: The significant role of Substack and Instagram in building Dream Baby Press’s audience, particularly in the UK, illustrates how digital platforms are crucial for independent cultural initiatives to connect with and mobilize their communities, translating online engagement into real-world attendance.
The evening was a vibrant tapestry of storytelling, performance, and community, celebrating the raw, exhilarating, and sometimes uncomfortable facets of human experience. It was a testament to Matt Starr’s vision and the growing appetite for literary events that challenge conventions and embrace pleasure, humor, and vulnerability. As the night concluded with the echoes of "Suspicious Minds" and the buzz of shared literary experiences, it was clear that Dream Baby Press had not just hosted an event in London; it had ignited a new spark in its cultural landscape, promising many more thrilling chapters to come. The success of this debut firmly establishes Dream Baby Press as a significant and innovative player in the international literary arena, ready to continue its mission of making reading and writing an exhilarating, accessible, and deeply human experience.