Eats Everything: Small Town Boy

During its initial explosion, some of rave’s main outposts were oft-neglected towns like Stoke-On-Trent, where Sasha had a residency at Shellys, or Essex towns like Braintree and Romford, where much of the hardcore scene was based. Now, more and more, everything seems to happen in the big cities. And in big cities in the UK – particularly London – there can be an undercurrent of dance music snobbery, which is perhaps inevitable when there’s so much choice on offer. People complain about the crowd based on what people are wearing and their age. I’ve found that there’s a bit less of that in smaller towns; people are just happy to be able to go out and have a proper party, which is what I’m all about. Playing smaller towns is about supporting the grass roots of dance music, but a lot of DJs will tell you that it’s also those little places that really go off, and any DJs who just stick to the big cities – because the fees or the crowds are bigger, or because it’s that bit more convenient – are really missing out.

I still feel incredibly lucky to tour the world and play world-class clubs, but there’s nothing better than playing to a home crowd in the same area that I’ve been playing for 20-odd years under various guises. I can’t wait to go back to old haunts and make some great memories – whether that’s for me, the gang that’s with me helping to make the tour happen, or the raver on the dancefloor.

I’m lucky enough now to not have to worry about the costs of travel, but you can’t expect everyone who loves dance music to move to London or another major city, or hop on a plane to Ibiza. For most kids, going out in London or Ibiza is completely out of their price range. I still remember saving up for months to go on a holiday to Ibiza or even for a night out in London – and it’s ten times more expensive now! Young people shouldn’t be prevented from seeing big names live because of price or location; it’s those early musical experiences that shape you the most, and where future DJ careers are made.

The Eats Meets West tour takes place this November around south-west England and Wales