A one man festival, a rave vaudevillian, Fatboy Slim makes his long-awaited debut at Ally Pally this weekend. As we prepare for a live show that will feature over 2.5km of cables, 2000 watts of power, 135 lights, 16 lasers, one giant inflatable smiley crossbones and an acid converter, we talk firsts, festivals and the future with the legendary DJ.
Once you’ve finished reading, we’ve pulled together a playlist inspired by his Beatport chart to get you suitably excited for Saturday night.
You’re making your Ally Pally debut, what does it mean to you to be playing this venue?
“Immense pleasure to be allowed to throw a party in such an inspiring and iconic venue. I have waited a long time for this….”
Have you ever been to show here?
“I vaguely remember a trip to the Brit Awards around the turn of the century but it is a little sketchy. Must have been a good night!”
Now you’re finally playing Ally Pally, if you could play anywhere else in the universe where would it be and why
“The Thames Barrier. Great acoustics, lots of scope for production but quite weather dependent…”
The response to the Ally Pally show was huge with people of all ages due to come. What is it about dance music that brings so many people together?
“The power of collective euphoria amongst so many like-minded individuals is a wonderful thing to experience. Younger people aren’t allowed into nightclubs and some of my older friends cannot stay out past midnight so it is a perfect excuse to bring all the tribes and generations together under one roof for a collective escape to the smile high club.”
What are you listening to before stepping out on stage?
“Hodor from House Stark at Winterfell, Middle Earth.”
To the uninitiated, what can people expect from a Fatboy Slim show?
“Rave vaudeville; smiling faces, twisting hips, a barefoot jester, confetti, lazers and squelching noises…”
You’re celebrating 20 years of “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” this year. Which up and comers would you tip to be selling out shows in the next 20 years?
“Elrow!”
Alexandra Palace has played host to some spectacular live shows. Are there any shows you’d travel back in time to see?
“I would gladly swap a testicle to have been at the 14 Hour Technicolor Dream. A seminal moment in counterculture, sadly I was only 4 at the time and my mum wouldn’t let me go…”
In celebration of your first time at Ally Pally. Can you recall…
First memory of Alexandra Palace?
Falling out of a car in front of the paps right from the off
First record you bought?
Suzi Quatro – Devil Gate Drive
First live show you saw?
The Stranglers, Crawley Leisure Centre 1977
Your First DJ set?
A house party in Redhill, circa 1979
First Festival?
Glastonbury, 1986
“You’ve Come A Long Way Baby” will be reissued on 16 March.
