The man behind ‘Rockness’ – The Most Beautiful Festival In The World
Hi Jim, nice to speak to you pal – an amazing line up – The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Orbital, Super Furry Animals and The Flaming Lips all lining up on the banks of Loch Ness. The first event took place in June 2006, 20,000 tickets snapped up in one day and has grown and grown and grown. Year one saw Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox, X-Press 2 and many more – who was your favourite from that precedent event?
“Good to speak to you Dan. Hope you’re well. Well year one was Norman Cook’s Boutique extravaganza. He was certainly the star of the show, absolutely nailed it. Coxy was stupendous too. It was a magnificent event. Everyone was nervous because it was so North, but hey 20,000 tickets in one day…not bad.”
How did the whole Rockness festival originate – whose idea was it in the first place?
“It all started when my now two business partners Joe Gibbs and Robert Hicks who live locally to Inverness by Loch Ness approached Norman Cook. They’d found this out of this world venue for a dance event, well, Norman called me to ask me if I would produce it. I drove up, and it took me five seconds to shake hands on it.”
How did AEG, who came on board 18 months ago change things to the set up?
“Well we were keen to take on a partner, it got to a stage where we just thought, ‘okay – this can now go a huge step further’. We spoke to everyone out there but we felt they would give us the best financial security if we were going to up the stakes. They have been brilliant.”
Who has been the biggest ever Loch Ness Monster celebrity or DJ backstage at Rockness?
“Do you know what Dan, it’s not the artists or DJs – everyone is so knocked out about the setting it takes their breath away and they just really behave and enjoy the best festival in the world – it’s the clubbers who go mad, not one of them can believe where they are and who they and dancing to…”
So why did you quit running clubland’s number one night Cream in Liverpool with James Barton?
“It’s all very amicable Dan. He was Best Man at my wedding. We still work together on Creamfields, it was just that the operation was being run from London a few years ago but then shifted to Liverpool again and I wasn’t prepared to move back to Merseyside. I was getting work from the like of Bestival and Big Boutique and just didn’t fancy the trip up. Ironically, I moved back to Liverpool six months later as my girlfriend was from there and wanted to re-locate. “
What is the most beautiful part of your site on one of the incredible sites in the world tucked away in a natural amphitheatre and set against the rolling hills of the stunning Scottish Highlands…?
“There are two places. The moment you drive down the long winding road through the trees and suddenly stop in your tracks when your windscreen opens you up to the splendour of Loch Ness, the hills and this amazing festival site. It just gets you every time. We also have the highest point of the site – Nessiville, you can sit there on the hill and see the whole thing going on. I can’t put it into words.”
Did you attend the wedding of Ronald Davidson and Victoria Greig who got married in your Big Love inflatable church in 2008?
“Ha ha. I watched it from afar. I escorted them to their altar. It’s funny, we have had three applications this year, only one got their papers certificates in order, but we’ll be doing it every year. Things like this make a festival.”
2007 – fucking massive. The Chems, Manic Street Preachers, Daft Punk, Groove Armada – what was your highlight from that very special year?
“Daft Punk – so unbelievable. Even now one of the best sets I have ever witnessed. We had a capacity of 30,000, 28,000 were trying to get in. We had to take the sides of the tents down – anything to let people in. An unbelievable reaction, it took my breath away. It really did beat any Cream night, and no disrespect to my favourite ever club, ten times over. Rock N’ Roll – wow, the encore ‘One More Time’ is the best ever moment in my working life.”
How much is the fighting for the big live acts in Festival Promoter world these days, have prices come down for the big stars or is it still silly money people are throwing about?
“It’s still big money out there. The reason being that the big artists want today to do their own shows and pick up more profits. They have more control therefore on the show – so the few acts still who are interested in live shows at festivals, sure, they still demand the dollar.”
How do the Scottish and English ticket buyers get on – who are the maddest out on the dancefloor?
“Easy, the Scots and the Scousers…”
What one tip would you give to a festival virgin?
“Go with people who have festivalised before. The first time you go, go with people who have done this crazy trip before…”
Best ever Cream memory over the years?
“Paul Oakenfold. Year 2 of his residency when he took over The Courtyard. Simply jaw dropping.”
Also featured this year, your RockNess salute to your Scottish hosts with your fun Highland Fayre – what’s the furthest you’ve ever thrown a caber Jim?
“No comment Dan!”
What one artist out there that you haven’t had on do you really want on?
“I would love Arcade Fire Crew to play on the Friday next year. We are giving bands longer sets on the Friday, they would be great.”
There was also obviously the down sides to 2007. The festival goer who died from taking an overdose of heroin in the car park outside the main arena and camp site and the professional footballer Richie Hart who plays for Inverness Caledonian Thistle who was detained in connection with possession of cocaine and fined £300. 2008 also saw someone found unconscious front of stage, air lifted to hospital but died. As someone I know who has never taken a drug in his life, how do you feel about running club events and festivals and seeing your crowd completely off their knackers?
“Good question Dan. Well we’re not in the business to dictate people’s lives’, we can just advise people how to have a good time safely and get home in one piece. Tell them about what dangers could be out there, watch out for them basically.”
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s festival?
“I think Placebo are going to steal the show.”
Thanks Jim.
See you there…
Dan x
