In two days time I travel to the Big Chill.
Ten years ago this weekend I went to the first Big Chill at Eastnor Castle. It’s been an annual summer highlight for me ever since.
Over the past couple of years much has changed: for me personally, the booze has given way to buggies (I’ll be attending with two under-3s!); for the festival Pete Lawrence and Katrina Larkin have moved on and Festival Republic are now at the fore. But, for me, the spirit of the festival remains.
As excited as a kid at Christmas for the last few days, I spent this evening getting my Big Chill shit together. And then I had a thought….
I want to play at this year’s Big Chill festival.
Sure, the event’s a couple of days away. Yes, Kanye et al were booked up months ago. But, surely, there’s a half an hour DJ set there for me somewhere?!
I’m not after a Mr Scruff style 10-hour marathon set. And I’m not suggesting for a second that the Chemical Brothers get bumped to make way for me.
All I want, which I appreciate is a stupendously ridiculously massive request, is 30 minutes at some hard to fill slot in the deepest corner of the furthest away field. Next to the dirtiest toilets on-site will be fine.
Why should the Big Chill give me a chance?
I could spend 1500 words begging, I could personally agree to be Melvin Benn’s man slave for the next few year’s (although Saturday’s could be an issue Melvin). But, I hope the next 5 short reasons persuade you and the Big Chill organisers (including you, Lord King Melvin McFantastic of Big Chill land, your honour) that giving me a short slot this weekend is the right thing to do.
1 – I’m free. Gratis. No charge.
Now, I don’t want to spout idle gossip but I heard that Mr Kanye West has demanded over £500 to headline on Saturday night. Honestly, I kid you not – he’s on a monkey. 20 ponies. For a couple of hours messing about.
I, on the other hand, already have a ticket. And I wouldn’t dare of asking for anything more than a little bit of electricity on my rider – to power some technical things I’d need to play a couple (probably 8-10) nice songs from pre-recorded media on. You may already have such equipment on site? So I may as well put it to use?
2 – I’ll play some pretty acceptable music
I love the Big Chill. There, I’ve said it. Over the past 10 years the festival has influenced my musical taste and helped me discover lots of new music.
I mostly play soulful, funky cover versions of classic and new tracks that get people’s heads nodding and toes tapping – perfect for a sunny Eastnor Saturday/Sunday afternoon.
And let’s be fair, if (somehow) I pull this off and get to DJ this weekend – put me on somewhere remote when Norman Jay MBE is playing.
In all probability the maximum number I can then piss off, and only very mildly, is approximately: 14 humans, 3 stray deers, a badger, 17 squirrels and around 4 million of those bloody bugs that bite you if you go too near the trees.
3 – I’ve gone and done a Spotify playlist for you
To illustrate my knowledge and understanding of all things Big Chill I’ve put together a brief 10-track Spotify playlist titled: Big Chill Covers – Celebrating 10 years at Eastnor.
You can listen to it by clicking on that bit of text above where I said what it was called. But to make it easier for you I’ve linked all of this text to it too. So you can just click here. Or here. You don’t even have to move your mouse.
Rather than being a random collection of tracks, I’ve put a lot of thought in to this playlist. Honest. It starts in 2002 with a cover of headliners Royksopp’s Eple and works through to 2011 with a track from big names from each subsequent year – covers and great remixes. Playlist below:
2002 – Eple -3io
2003 – Golden Brown – The Wurzels (stick with me people, they were there in 2003, honestly)
2004 – Get a move on – Quantic Soul Orchestra
2005 – Pastime Paradise – Youngblood Brass Band
2006 – Miracles – Arrested Development
2007 – Theme from Shaft – The Chosen Few (the late Isaac Hayes Sunday headlined)
2008 – Witness (Slugabed remix) – Roots Manuva
2009 – Good Luck – Basement Jaxx vs Metropole Orchestra
2010 – Unfinished Sympathy – Maxence Cyrin
2011 – Gold Digger (Sugar Down mix) – Curtis Jones
4 – There’s always a chance I’ll actually soil myself…
If you, Big Chill Supremos, do give me the nod, there is always the distinct possibility you will have a legendary anecdote to tell friends, family and colleagues:
‘Do you remember when we gave that guy a DJ slot at 3 days notice and he actually shat himself during his first mix?’.
Regardless of which slot and stage you give me, I can guarantee a little bit of wee.
5 – I’ll donate a minimum of £100 to charity
You know those ‘experiences’ you can buy online?
Stuff like: a ’Summer Spa Sensation’. Which turns out to be 15 minutes sat in a shopping arcade opposite a slightly racist lady called Vera while some confused looking goldfish nibble at your bunions.
Well what I’m asking for here is the real deal, a proper experience. One money can’t buy. But, as a token, and I appreciate it is just a token, I’d donate £100 to charity (East African appeal) for the privilege – and more if I can raise it.
I also promise to jump up and down for the whole 30 minutes in a Craig Charles-esque fashion.
So, will you help me?
If you’re somehow involved in the Big Chill and are able to help grant my wish (feel like I’m writing to Noel Edmonds now) please contact me via Twitter http:/www.twitter.com/coveritupsounds
If you’re reading this and aren’t involved in the Big Chill I’d be grateful if you could retweet a link to this page. Preferably before Friday!
And I hope you enjoy the playlist. Thanks for reading!
An upbeat foot tapper from ratpack legend Sammy Davis Jnr. Originally written and recorded by Ray Charles in 1954.
