Ministry of Sound to host memorial event for Midnight Riot co-founder Andy Williams, AKA Yam Who?

A memorial event is set to go ahead this month for Andy Williams, AKA Yam Who?, who passed away “suddenly and unexpectedly” in March.

Dance For Yamz celebrates the life and legacy of the Midnight Riot co-founder, with funds raised from tickets to be given to his family, including his wife and two children.

The event is set to go ahead on Thursday, May 15, at Ministry of Sound, with performances from Horse Meat Disco, Melvo Baptiste, Colleen Cosmo Murphy, Dave Lee Jn, and more.

The bill also includes artists from “the Midnight Riot label family”, featuring a total of more than 40 DJs in a tribute to “a man who gave so much to the music world”.

In March, Faith Fanzine reported that Andy had passed away. A fundraiser was later launched to help support his family with funeral costs and other expenses following his untimely death.

“[Andy] left behind a loving wife and two beautiful children,” the fundraiser read. “As well as very much being a family man, a very loving husband and father, Andy was a wonderful friend and support to many.”

Andy Williams worked as a DJ, producer, label head, and journalist throughout his 30-year career, known under aliases including Yam Who? and Qwestlife – a moniker in which he collaborated with Tom Laroye.

Andy helped to found labels including ISM Records, Midnight Riot and Black Riot, with releases from the likes of Amp Fiddler, Robert Owens, and Eli Escobar. He was also the disco editor of Mixmag from 2016 to 2020 with a monthly column in the magazine.

Find tickets to Dance For Yamz here, and check out the line-up below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter