This weekend sees some big DJ names in town courtesy of a W Hotels beat throwdown with big aspirations. After a Fri evening beach session on Samui, DJ Lab 2013 (Sep 28-29. W Bangkok, 106 Sathon Nua Road, 02-344-4000. Tickets B950-B2,900, http://www.thaiticketmajor.com) will head up to the capital on Sat (Sep 28) to deliver the beats, starting at 8pm. We spoke to headliner and XXL DJ name Paul Oakenfold on the eve of the Bangkok show.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FESTIVAL TO PLAY AT IN THE WORLD?
I have a few favourites, one of them being Glastonbury in England. Why it's amazing for me is because it's not just electronic music, it's a combination of all kinds of music and I enjoy coming across new acts. Also Burning Man, which is primarily an arts festival but I love the creativity that comes with it. And Coachella is just a great vibe to be there and come across a lot of friends - a good place to be at. I recommend it.
DO YOU HAVE A STAND-OUT MOMENT FROM YOUR CAREER THUS FAR?
I've been very fortunate thus far, from doing my own show at the Hollywood Bowl, to supporting the two biggest artists in the world - Madonna and U2 - in front of hundreds of thousands of people in stadiums. But I would have to say that my own show in London when there were 75,000 people in front of me and it was just my show really meant a lot.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT IN THE BOOTH?
Yes I have! I was DJing in New Zealand on stage in front of 5,000 people, and if you can imagine all the lights were on me, and I could not see anything because of the lights directly in my face. The side of the stage was very close to me and the stage was black so I couldn't see where it ended. I took two steps to the left and fell off the stage! Jumped up as quick as I could hoping the thousands in front of me didn't see. Of course they did and we all laughed together, but by god was that embarrassing.
HOW IS THE ELECTRONIC MUSIC SCENE CHANGING AT THE MOMENT?
Well, we all know the scene has exploded in America and I find it a very exciting place to be. We have been living with this scene in Europe for many years, and in some respects it seems to be a little bit jaded there. I also love the idea that pop music is finally embracing electronic music in the United States and it gives the scene an opportunity to make records that a lot more people get to hear.
HOW DO YOU KEEP THINGS FRESH BEHIND THE DECKS?
It's not about keeping things fresh so much as embracing new music, new trends and staying connected to what you believe in. With that comes accessibility to new music and from that you choose the best tunes that you like and share them with people, and that usually works.
TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK OF THE MOMENT.
It's by a DJ out of the UK called Danny Howard who is a presenter on Radio 1. He has done a slamming club tune that I'm getting tremendous response from called "Spire". Check it out.
WHAT CAN YOUR BANGKOK FANS EXPECT FROM THE DJ LAB CLOSING EVENT?
They can expect a good time! They'll hear some new music from my new artist album Pop Killer that comes out next year and a couple of party favourites. I'll be playing a lot of cutting edge trance too.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT YOUR VISIT?
I love the culture, I love the food and I've got some great friends there from over the years.
