I got in touch because I knew Will [Jameson, festival founder] through the Chibuku club nights he was putting on in Liverpool. So when Will was thinking about DJ’s to put on at Lake of Stars he knew me through that. I went out in 2005.
What was the Lake of Stars experience like for you?
Yeah, it was life changing! You know what, I’m travelling every week doing DJ gigs, and I do interviews with magazines and people always ask the question, “What is the most amazing gig you’ve ever done?” and I always say Lake of Stars. Without a doubt, it’s the one that stands out. Think about it – apart from anything else, on a typical week I’ll be playing somewhere like Southampton or Leicester so when one week I’m in Malawi – this place is going to stand out. For so many reasons it’s the most amazing place I’ve been to go and DJ.
It really just doesn’t compare – Lake of Stars is in a league of its own. It’s nothing like rocking up to Global Gathering, or Bestival, or something like that because there are loads of festivals in the UK every summer. I tend to be at one every week, so they start to just become just a field and a little bit samey. And the setting alone of Lake of Stars sets it apart. Being there right by the lake, it’s just not like being in the Midlands, is it? [Laughs] It’s a totally different story, on so many deeper levels than the setting, obviously, but that alone makes it something completely different.
As you know, the event is powered by volunteers. How has that changed your perception about how events can be organised?
Well it makes a huge difference to the event itself because when people organise something because they are volunteering, the whole event becomes about the passion for it, not just the money and that makes such a difference. I mean, some of the most commercial festivals , the festivals that make the most money, are the most soulless because everyone’s in it to make money. At something like Lake of Stars, everyone’s in it for the love of doing it, for the love of putting on a great event and knowing they are doing it for a really good cause – it’s so much more than people just going out and getting drunk in a field.
It’s almost like everyone’s got their own interest in it and everyone takes something back.
Well that’s the difference – people are involved because they’ve got some passion. Considering I’m DJing every week it’s not often it happens, but every few months there will be an event and I’ll be like, “Wow, everyone’s doing this because they’ve got a passion about doing it!” Whether that’s a passion for the music, or a passion for the cause or both, and you can tell that at an event straight away. It creates an atmosphere you can’t buy.
So, have you ever done any volunteering before?Well yeah, you know, my skills are DJ’ing so every now and then, when the time’s right, for the right purpose, I’ll DJ at something like Lake of Stars and it won’t be about getting a fee or doing it to make a living, and I guess that’s volunteering my services. I actually did a bit of a DJ workshop with some local kids when I was out in Malawi for the festival. In fact, I'm getting involved in a UK government initiative trying to get children into music, that’s. And that’s the same kind of thing, it’s not about making a living for myself, I just thought that was a good cause and a good thing to get involved in.
The Macabees [vinspired Lake of Stars 2009 headliners] have publicly said that they don't even think of performing at the festival as volunteering.Definitely. It’s life-changing, a real eye-opener, it really is, and it's about being involved in so much more than just a music festival. It feels like there's a real community spirit.
It’s an innovative approach to putting on a festival
Well, yeah - just putting on a festival somewhere different is always going to be something exciting and unique and different, but obviously Lake of Stars is also for a great cause. It’s in a really interesting place and it’s going to raise awareness about Malawi and the help that they need there. So for all those much more important reasons, yes, innovative is the very least you could call it.
Have you heard about the line-up at this year’s festival?
I think Radioclit’s a really good choice because they’re taking loads of African music and mixing it with electronic music. Esau Mwamwaya is amazing, absolutely amazing. They’re perfect for it. And SWAY’s amazing, yeah sounds like a really good line up this year.
What would you say to people going out to Africa for the first time to experience this vinspired Lake of Stars?
Oh wow. I think my main bit of advice really would be go to the festival, enjoy the festival, but try to include some extra days before or after it if you can to get out there and see the country. That’s what I did, there’s a lot more than just the festival in Malawi, it’s so incredible, the people are so amazing, and there’s a lot to do, so that’s what I would say. Don’t just go in and out.
If you're 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities on vinspired.com
Words by: Rosie Ponting
