Dubai's party people welcome Digweed to da house!

One of the pillars in the house music genre, John Digweed’s [2]ascent to the top started in 1993. And he hasn’t look back since: he started his Bedrock label in 1998 and has been instrumental in bringing talents like Danny Howells and Jimmy Van M to the limelight while manning DJ sets that have huge fan following and helping him secure a spot in DJ Mag’s annual top 10 list from 1998 to 2008.

And he’s now bringing his progressive house set to Dubai. [3]tabloid! caught up with him before his show at Nasimi, Atlantis The Palm, on Thursday. 

Q: You’re one of the most established DJs on the scene. Why do you think you’ve been able to hold your ground for so long?

A: I think people see that I am 100 per cent dedicated to what I do, I live and breathe music 24/7, 365 days a year and I strive to play the best music out there. I don’t jump about or dance — for me the music is centre stage and for me that is the most important thing that I want people to take away from one of my gigs. I want them to dance but also to listen to the music they might not have heard before but make them want to find out where they could get it. 

Q: The advent of the internet has seen music reach global audiences — does this mean you play similar tunes everywhere you go rather than catering to what’s popular in the country?

A: The digital age has changed things in so many ways, People can have access to so much music all over the world at the click of a button, I can be constantly updating my set on a daily basis when I am on tour so my set can be changing from gig to gig. My back does not hurt from carrying two big boxes of vinyl around with me. I think it has allowed so many more people to enjoy electronic music [4]which can only be a good thing. 

Q: How would you say your style of mixing has developed over your long career?

A: I still like to do long running mixes that melt into each other so much it’s hard to tell when one track has ended and another one has started. 

Q: What’s your take on house music today?

A: I think it’s hard as there are so many sub-genres of house music, from the deeper to techy or techno to the commercial sound, I just try and play the very best underground house music. 

Q: When someone once asked you which actor would play you in the film on your life you chose Paul Scholes. Why?

A: That was me just messing about, I really don’t think anyone is going to make a film about me.

Q: Who’s your most overrated and underrated DJ in the world today?

A: To be a great DJ is something that should be judged over a period of time that shows that they have been consistently good week in week out and moved and changed with the times, 

Q: What can we expect from your Dubai performance?

A: I have so much great music with me at the moment I am really excited to be playing this Thursday. Make sure you come with a open mind and of course, your dancing shoes.

By Yusra Farzan

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