Creativity
Ammon Yeardsley Is Flipping the Island’s Nightlife on Its Head
It started with a few mates and a shared obsession with underground house music. Now, Ammon Yeardsley is behind some of the most creatively ambitious events the Isle of Man has ever seen. As a 2025 Gef 30 Under 30 winner in the Creativity category, supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council, Ammon and his team at Anima, a DJ events company, have been shaking up the island’s nightlife by turning unexpected venues into dance floor sanctuaries.
A Soundtrack for Self-Expression
Anima didn’t just appear overnight. The idea grew from Ammon’s years spent studying Music, Performance and Industry at Staffordshire Uni, gigging in local bands, and falling in love with the raw energy of the UK’s underground house scene. When he returned to the island, he and his core crew set out to do something more than just throw parties. They wanted to create inclusive, high-quality spaces where people could connect through music, leave their labels at the door, and just be.
‘Anima’ means ‘to play with soul’ in Italian, but also refers to the true inner self. That combination felt right to Ammon. He wasn’t just interested in the beats; he was interested in building something that meant something.
Not Just a Night Out
Running events on a small island comes with its fair share of curveballs. From unexpected cancellations and sky-high equipment costs, to transforming restaurants and odd spaces into fully kitted club environments, Ammon has had to get scrappy. But that scrappiness is part of the magic.
One of Anima’s earliest events took place inside Mrs Yang’s Chinese restaurant, complete with lighting, sound, a full DJ booth, and more. They’ve since repeated the trick in venues across the island, constantly levelling up the production while keeping ticket prices accessible.
‘The main goal is to create an experience that mirrors what you’d find in London or Manchester, but right here at home. For people who love house music, or just want something different, we want to make it feel like they don’t need to get on a flight for a good night out.’
High Pressure, High Reward
The work behind the scenes is intense. Last-minute changes, limited suppliers, venue hurdles, and big dreams on a small budget have forced Ammon to be equal parts creative and calm under pressure. But the pay-off, he says, is always worth it.
‘Being named a Gef 30 Under 30 winner means a huge amount. It’s not just a win for me, but for the entire Anima crew who give up so much of their time and energy. This has always been a passion project, and to have it recognised like this? Unreal.’
The People Make It
Ammon credits much of his journey to the people around him. His mum, for her perseverance, his dad for his business savvy, and his tight network of creative collaborators, both on-island and in the UK. These are the people who’ve lent gear last minute, helped tweak lineups, and pushed him to keep going when things felt impossible.
What’s Next for Anima?
Ammon’s not slowing down. He wants to take Anima island-wide, using spaces that haven’t seen a crowd in years, creating a sense of reinvention for the island’s event scene. There are plans to grow the team, the lineups, and the overall scale of what they do, all while staying rooted in community and creativity.
‘I want people to know this music isn’t just for a certain age or type. We’re mixing samples from jazz, funk, blues, garage – music that people of all generations can vibe with. And we want everyone to feel welcome.’
A Stronger Scene Starts with Us
Ammon hopes to see more collaboration and investment across the local music industry. That means brands working together, venues taking more creative risks, and a shift in how underground music is perceived.
‘If we can get more people spending locally and backing what’s happening right here, there’s no reason we can’t have a thriving scene of our own. It’s already happening, we just need to keep pushing.’
You must be logged in to post a comment.