Jordan Stephens has spoken with NME about why he finds the trans community motivating, how he shares similar values with Kate Nash when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ causes, and why protecting independent music venues matters so much to him.

The musician, podcaster and one half of Rizzle Kicks met with NME during the Trans Mission concert held at Wembley Arena on Wednesday (March 11).

The event, organised by Olly Alexander together with Mighty Hoopla founder Glyn Fussell, brought together close to 10,000 attendees. The aim was to show that trans people deserve recognition, appreciation and celebration, while also raising funds for the charities Good Law Project and Not A Phase.

 

Artists performing during the event included Wolf Alice, Beth Ditto, Sugababes, Olly Alexander, HAAi, Jasmine.4.T, Kae Tempest, Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, Romy, Sophie Ellis Bextor, MNEK and others. The evening also featured speakers such as Sir Ian McKellen, Munroe Bergdorf, Nicola Coughlan, Russell Tovey, Tia Kofi and Green Party figure Zack Polanski.

Stephens was among those who addressed the audience, appearing on stage together with bestselling writer, screenwriter and journalist Juno Dawson.

While backstage, the rapper spoke about how the strength and resilience of the trans community motivates him and why he feels it is important to stand beside groups who are being singled out or marginalised.

“?I wanted to get involved tonight because I believe in every individual’s freedom of choice and expression, and I find the trans community quite inspiring,” he said. “It’s a bit of an overused word, but any human spirit courageous enough to push against the binary and what’s expected of them is really cool. Big up my trans friends and the trans community.”

He also spoke about the role music can play in bringing people together and creating positivity even during difficult periods. “I think tonight is confirmation that art is always a really powerful vehicle for, hopefully change, but at the very least community, which should never be understated,” he explained.

“There are thousands of people together right now listening to music in the name of supporting a very targeted minority, so the energy’s great. It’s no coincidence that art is often pushing for more freedoms rather than less.”

Stephens also mentioned that he was looking forward to seeing recent NME cover artist Rose Gray perform and hoped to reconnect with “my boy Zack Polanski”, who delivered a passionate speech encouraging unity and resistance against discrimination.

Jordan Stephens and Juno Dawson at Trans Mission, Wembley. CREDIT: @Coco_amos

Among all the performers, Stephens said he was particularly excited about Kate Nash, describing her as someone he deeply respects.

“I was talking to Kate, who I missed performing which is annoying because I adore her with all my heart! She’s like my big sister,” he said. He also explained that they share similar views when it comes to championing LGBTQ+ rights and protecting smaller music venues throughout the UK.

 

“I agree with Kate Nash’s backing of grassroots venues. I’ve even got a tattoo saying, ‘Rescue the roots’ which is for a campaign I’m doing with youth music to raise money for the very same thing,” he said. “So Kate and I are certainly aligned on that mission, and we’re aligned on a lot of things.”

Read More: The ticket levy that could save grassroots venues and artists: what happens next?

The ‘Rescue The Roots’ initiative was introduced by Youth Music last March and focuses on helping independent venues survive through fundraising efforts. Youth Music has committed to matching every pound raised up to one million pounds, with the money going toward youth organisations and emerging creatives who need financial support.

Shortly before that campaign began, Nash also attracted attention toward the end of 2024 with her ‘Butts for Tour Buses’ initiative. As part of the campaign she joined OnlyFans to protest issues within the music industry, draw attention to the financial struggles faced by artists at different career stages, and help fund her UK and European tour.

She later expanded the protest by launching the “bum on the back of a fire truck” campaign, which saw her visit the London headquarters of Live Nation and Spotify, as well as the Houses of Parliament, to highlight the growing challenges faced by musicians across the UK.

“The reality is that touring is making losses, not profit,” she told NME at the time. “The grassroots is in absolute crisis. Venues are closing, festivals are being cancelled. People are thinking, ‘What’s the point in starting a band?’ and ‘How can I as an artist carry on?’”

Other proposals to support artists and smaller venues include introducing a ticket levy. Under this proposal, large arena and stadium shows would contribute funds toward smaller venues and developing artists. The industry has been encouraged to ensure that half of major shows voluntarily contribute by June 2026, otherwise the government may introduce mandatory legislation.

Kate Nash at Trans Mission, Wembley. CREDIT: @Coco_amos

Elsewhere during the event, Olly Alexander performed songs from his Years and Years catalogue and was introduced by Sir Ian McKellen, who delivered Shakespeare’s politically themed The Strangers’ Case speech from Thomas More.

Another especially moving moment came when author Caroline Litman paid tribute to her transgender daughter who had died, which resulted in an emotional response from the audience.