The man behind the world’s biggest festival – Global Gathering
James. Gearing up for the biggest dance festival in the world – DJs and live artists always keeping their diaries blocked off for the last weekend in July every year to make sure they are part of a phenomenal weekend. You entered the festival market back in 2001 amidst a flurry of fellow Summer dance festivals, Homelands (RIP), Ministry of Sound (RIP) and the likes of Creamfields and the Gatecrasher event – the weather was great, 25,000, people rocked out and you even had a sneaky after-do party down at Code in Birmingham, now Air – were you part of the team back then?
“I certainly was, I spent most of the summer in Ibiza the first year as we
had our night at Amnesia running as well, but certainly made it back for the
week of our debut festival. It really could not have gone better and has
continued to grow year on year since.”
You are the main man behind Global Gathering, when does the work start for next year’s event after you’ve finally picked up the last bit of litter and moved off site? The next day?
“Global never stops! We’re already planning next year’s festivals’ all around
the world and also gearing up for the UK’s tenth anniversary.”
How many people does it take to put on such a huge event?
“We have 20 permanent full time staff at the Angel Music Group working on all of our events year round. Also, a whole host of freelancers who have now been
working with us for many years on the festival and have become a great big
team. The amount of crew, production people, security – and even down to the bar staff and traders totals about 5000 on site throughout the weekend.”
Everyone has played Global, Underworld, Tiesto, Groove Armada, Faithless, Sasha, Tongy, Calvin Harris, Sven Vath, Basement Jaxx, Paul van Dyk, Van Helden, Klaxons, Coxy, Eric Prydz, Pendulum – it’s like a who’s who of dance music, who has been the best ever artist AND DJ you’ve had on that has simply kicked the arse out of it?
“I would have to say Daft Punk, both from a personal angle and the festival goers in general. When they took to the stage in 2006 the cheer was like a football team winning the cup final in injury time. One of the all time ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ moments.”
Who really has surprised you with their set, maybe someone who didn’t know what to expect but pulled something really special out of the bag on the day, maybe a different set?
“A certain very well known DJ who will remain nameless. He was rubbish and
got booed off!”
What has been that one ‘tear in the eye’ moment at Global for you personally?
“When I crashed my Quad a few years ago. I cried lots as it really fucking hurt. In all seriousness though, it would have to be 2007 when we experienced the terrible flooding. Our whole festival team didn’t sleep for four days trying to get the site ready and whilst we were unable to really deliver what we wanted to
that year, it was a miracle we made the event take place for the 50,000 people
who turned up.”
Who are you most looking forward to this year? The Prodigy and Orbital headlining…?
“The Prodigy, their new album is brilliant and the performances they have
been putting in on other European festivals looks unbelievable. Orbital will
be great from the nostalgic point of view as we all thought they would never
perform again – so looking forward to that as well. Also, Armin in the
Godskitchen Boombox is another must see as he has already played in there a
couple of times and it always goes off.”
What other festivals do you rate out there?
‘Burning Man’ for its alternative angle, ‘Exit’ in Serbia is always great and
‘Coachella’ has become massive in a short space of time.”
How did taking GG to a two day event from a one day event change the face of your festival?
“2003 was the year we realised Global Gathering was becoming an established festival with DJs clambering to play it. By 2005 it was undoubtable that Global Gathering had become a major UK festival. It was a natural progression to make it a two day festival…the weekend has landed.”
Which artist over the years has given the craziest rider?
“I can’t reveal names but a certain artist asked for a hamster that parachutes and another asked for their grapes to be peeled – naturally we accommodated them.”
Why is Global Gathering so special?
“Because the team working on the festival push the boundaries every year to make the festival its best yet. Our production is second to none and has an atmosphere like no other festival which is why the top DJs and acts in the world make our festival a must play of the year.”
Do you get ANY sleep over the weekend?
“Sleep what’s that?! I was in South Africa with the Godskitchen Boombox tour last weekend – the atmosphere was electric. Next up its Global Gathering in Belarus this weekend and then Global Gathering in Turkey next weekend.”
How did you get into dance music/club culture in the first place?
“I took the wrong turn many years ago!”
Global Gathering has ripped up the world with its festivals, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Australia, South Africa all receiving the Midlands’ massive treatment. What have been the best events you have done out of this country – tell us some highlights from the worldwide Global tour…
“With 10 festivals across the globe, every single event has surpassed all expectations with top class electronic music artists and market leading production. Ukraine 2008 was definitely a highlight as was Belarus which had the most unbelievable crowd. The Godskitchen Boombox tour is out of this world and I can’t wait to bring it to the UK in the future.”
