Lists
10 iconic DJ Harvey moments
Dance music's last rock 'n' roll star
Finishing his set with a bang
Ever the performer, DJ Harvey is one of the most enigmatic selectors on the circuit and his 2010 performance at Meredith Music Festival in Australia is one of his most iconic moments ever. Like something out of a Black Sabbath dressing room, Harvey ended his set with a floaty disco number and a good old fashioned destruction spree. Seemingly annoyed about something, Harvey proceeded to smash his laptop, vinyl decks and anything else expensive in sight. Nothing was left but the table everything was sitting on and he stormed off stage only to come back on, take a bow, then leave again. Spare a moment for the people cleaning up after him, but at the same time you wouldn't see Ozzy Osbourne cleaning up the TV he'd just thrown out of the window would you?
Turning Beyonce away from a Sarcastic Disco party
Quick disclaimer: this was never actually confirmed, BUT if it’s true (and we’re really, really hoping it is) then it definitely makes a claim for Harvey’s most iconic moment. Started while lapping up the California waves, Bassett’s bi-annual Sarcastic Disco parties were the stuff of legend, galvanising a pretty dry LA scene with all night parties in disused warehouse on the fringe of the city. They brought his musical oddities and rarities to the foreground in marathon sets that could only be attended if you were invited. The fact they were hardly advertised didn't stop them becoming so popular that rumours of Beyonce being turned away wouldn't have suprised party regulars.
This photo
Bad. Fuckin'. Ass.
Starting a set with Willy Wonka's 'Pure Imagination'
Cast your minds back to the trippy tale of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, a classic, albeit creepy childhood movie. ‘Pure Imagination’ is the standout song that casts many minds back to their younger years. So when Gene Wilder’s haunting vocals played out during a Harvey Boiler Room set back in 2015, it was an inspired, if not little bit weird, choice of opener.
His 'Outstanding Contribution Award'
Back in 2014, Harvey was the chosen recipient of DJ Awards ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’. Awarded for his industry influence within EDM and his extensive body of work, he took to Facebook afterwards to thank his fans, claiming: “This ones for you lot out there to remind you to follow your wildest dreams.”
Being voted 10th in Rolling Stone's top 25 DJs list
Let’s be clear, this was not the most headsy list. Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Kaskade, David Guetta, Diplo and Skrillex populate the top 10 and while they’re clearly popular individuals who can DJ, it offers a pretty narrow view of dance music. Fair play though, Rolling Stone aren’t an electronic music magazine. But if there’s one DJ out there who fits into the rock n’ roll ethos that Rolling Stone once championed, it’s DJ Harvey. We’re glad they picked up on that.
