Inside tmtl. — London's Cult Events Collective Celebrating their First Birthday
Arguably, South London has given birth to the world's seven wonders: Giggs' iconic track "Talking the Hardest", Morley's Fried Chicken, Tooting's Food Market, the Croydon flat from comedy series Peep Show, the O2 Arena, Tom Holland's Spider-Man—and now, of course, the title-bound events powerhouse. Let's meet the lads behind the large-scale operation.
Image via there's more to life.
Celebrating its first birthday, South London's there's more to life (tmtl.) has swiftly gained recognition in London's so-called "dying" clubbing and events scene—proving there's still plenty of life left. With six long-time friends at the helm, tmtl. taps into the fun and spontaneity of their own friendship to create memorable events that feel less like your typical night out and more like the ultimate get-together. Think diary-style vlogs, throwback vibes, and playful visuals that pull you right in.
With the likes of Balamii, Recess/No Signal, FOR THE PLOT (FTP) events, and Motions as their contemporaries—tmtl. has carved out a distinct space that's both nostalgic and fresh. Forming like the Justice League, with hero-work subbed out for a Hennessey partnership, tmtl. comprises of: Adedayo "Dayo" Koledoye and Mehmet Ozen (Creative Directors), Terrell Burnett and Quincey (Finance Directors), Clinton Kallmeyer (Business Development) and Javanie 'JJ' Jackson (Operations & Logistics).
"It all started back in the summer of 2022 on a lads' trip to Mexico," recalls Mehmet. "The six of us, we've been friends since secondary school, and we've always been those guys who were like, 'Why not just go?' We'd just make it happen, whether it was local trips, festivals, or last-minute holidays. One night in Cancun, with some tequila in the mix, I looked at the boys and said, 'There's more to life than the ends.' Quincey recorded that moment, and it kinda just hit us—there is more out there. That's how tmtl. was born."
That spontaneous energy turned into what they call tmtl. diaries—a behind-the-scenes vlog series that lets fans see what it's actually like for them. "It's all there, the good, the bad, the ugly," Mehmet says, laughing. "We don't filter it. We want people to see who we are and the whole vibe of tmtl. is. We're not trying to be polished or act like we've figured it out.
We want people to come out and have a good time. So, you're not coming to stand in a corner at our events. We make sure everyone's involved, whether that's giving stuff out, getting people hyped, or just bringing them into the room's energy."
But being the new kid on the block has come with challenges. "Honestly, it was a lot," says JJ, tmtl. 's Operations and Logistics Director. "We didn't know anything about the events industry when we started—how to get into venues, the kind of red tape involved, all of that. And even though we're all close friends, that can be a double-edged sword. You've got six big personalities, and it's all fun until you're in the thick of it, working on a big project. That was definitely something we had to navigate."
"Music taste is specific to the individual, but a good time is universal," Mehmet says, summing up tmtl. 's sonic ethos. Their fresh approach has paid off, especially with the launch of their signature event series, tmtl. rooms. Set for November 9th, their final event of the year promises everything from "R&B and pop classics, street love songs, sexy Afrobeats, and slow dancehall—with a tmtl. twist." It's a mix of familiar yet surprising genres, perfectly aligned with their nostalgic but inventive brand.
Beyond the music, tmtl.'s visuals make a statement—they're colourful, cartoon-inspired, with a laid-back vibe that makes the brand instantly recognisable. Even their merch carries that same playful energy, amplifying tmtl.'s unmistakable aesthetic.
The collective vibe is what drives tmtl. 's events. "When we launched, we wanted people to see us for what we are—a group of mates out here just making it happen," Mehmet says. "At the events, we don't stand on the sidelines. We want everyone to feel part of something fun and different. The whole goal is to give people an experience where they're like, 'Yeah, I've never been to an event quite like this.'"
tmtl. 's debut year has seen them stand out in London's event scene. They've built a reputation that's both unpretentious and welcoming—a scene within the scene that pulls you in and makes you feel like you're part of the crew. With new concepts on the horizon, tmtl. has transformed what started as a casual idea in Mexico into its own community, proving that there really is more to life than the ends. And they're inviting everyone to come and see it.
The Culture Crypt: So, can each of you share your favourite event you've put on so far?
Dayo: "Brixton Jamm. The energy was through the roof—the vibe was unreal. The DJs absolutely killed it, delivering exactly what was needed to keep everyone hyped. And, of course, it was summer; the sun was out, and everyone was buzzing. It all just made sense."
JJ: "Our launch event was special to me. I felt accomplishment, euphoria, and a real sense of belief. It felt like that first big step—we got a foot in the door and knew we could do it. Euphoria because the day was packed with emotions and just pure fun. And belief, because it made us realise this is something we can keep building for the future."
Mehmet: "Yeah, just building on what JJ said, the first event was huge for me. We were still determining what we were getting into. When people came up asking questions—'Where's this? Where's that?'—I remember thinking, wow, we're actually doing this. This is more than just us going out to have a good time; it's something bigger. The words, I don't know, capture that thrill of diving into something new and unexpected. It felt like the start of a journey, full of questions we hadn't thought about yet. So yeah, the first one was special for sure."
From a consumer's perspective, what's one standout experience at a tmtl. event—something you think other events don't offer?"
Dayo: "Thinking from a consumer's view, the one thing that really stands out at tmtl.is the community aspect, no question. There's no way you're coming to a tmtl. event and not feeling like you're instantly part of our circle. Right from the start, you're welcomed by one of us, and it feels like you're an extension of our crew. Like JJ said, from the minute you walk in, you get your photo, a wristband, and something fun and creative to engage with. There's always something to bring you into the vibe, whether getting you involved or just creating that connection."
JJ: "For me, it's about bringing more variety to our events and doing them at an even bigger scale. That's definitely on our vision board for 2025—expanding the types of experiences we offer and growing our audience while truly embracing our tagline: there's more to life. We want to keep pushing that idea forward."
Have you guys ever had to change gears creatively for the sake of the collective?
JJ: "Yeah, of course. We actually do listen to our guests and attendees. We're receptive to our audiences' needs. For example, before the Brixton Jamm event, people said there's sometimes too much Afrobeats or too much of one thing and not enough of another. So for that event, we chose to put a bit more focus on pop, and it went really well."
Talk to us about your artwork, promotional posters and visual communications
Mehmet: "I'll start with the design. Our approach is to think outside the box and keep things playful, mainly since a simple, fun design—like a light-up toy or a signboard—really sticks when people are in party mode. We aim for bold, bright colours over complex designs. It's more memorable that way—people notice a colourful poster even if the design itself is simple.
The challenge is finding designers who align with our vision, so there's often a lot of back and forth. What really works is recreating the venue as a cartoon, adding details that reflect our vibe. For example, for Brixton Jamm, we took a sunny day photo of the venue and transformed it into a cartoon with characters who look like us doing the things we do. When Hennessy sponsored us, we even put a bottle of Hennessy in the sky with flames coming out—simple but creative, and it makes people say, 'Wow, I haven't seen that before.' We're all about bringing new concepts to life and standing out."
“Music is key. There are six of us, and we each have different tastes and influences. We all bring something to the table, whether it’s the tracks we share on Instagram, the stories we post, or the music we want our DJs to play. We’re all serious music lovers, so we keep a close eye on what’s happening in the scene—what’s fresh, what’s classic, what’s trending, and what our audience wants to hear. From Miley Cyrus to Migos, we cater to all. ”
Congratulations on your first anniversary. What's coming up on the horizon for tmtl.?
Mehmet: "We've got one more event lined up this year, and it's set to be our biggest yet - at Lafayette, one of London's most iconic venues, with more capacity, bringing a whole new level to end 2024 with a bang." Mehmet makes it clear that tmtl.'s. the year-end event will deliver something different and memorable. "We want to end the year on a high note, doing something unexpected that shows our growth. Our last event of the year is coming up on November 9th. We're excited for that as it's like the culmination of everything we've done so far."
Grab tickets for tmtl. rooms: Lafayetmtl Edition here on DICE.
