He’s an Ibiza diehard and Radio 1’s hot new star who gets the Saturday night party started with his Dance Anthems show. So can the 24 year old teach Fabulous a thing or two?
Where Paradise By Way Of Kensal Green, London
Danny and Fabulous’ Charlotte spin some hot tunes
You’ve had a crazy year since winning Radio 1’s Superstar DJ competition…
It was the career I always dreamed of. Then Radio 1 had an idea to bring back Dance Anthems and offered me the slot. If you’d told me this time last year all this would be happening, I would have laughed you out the room.
Were you a fan of Dance Anthems?
Yeah. Dave Pearce who used to present it is a legend. His show was focused on old school and classics. I play mainstream dance – what you hear in the clubs. I love that my show airs on a Saturday night – it’s my job to get people warmed up for their big night out.
What made you want to DJ?
My stepbrother had decks and I used to watch him mix, but I didn’t learn until I was 19 when I borrowed my friend’s. I eventually blagged myself a set at the student union [at Edge Hill University in Lancashire] and got my friends to go to management and say how much they loved the music. I got a weekly residency and started picking up gigs.
Sneaky! Is it true your Ibiza debut was so well received you got a set at Space club that night?
Yeah, I played 45 minutes for Radio 1 and then a spot became available at Space. It is one of the best nightclubs in the world so to get to play there was phenomenal. Ibiza is the dance music capital of the world. I love the place.
Tell us more…
You get so many different types of people and so many different types of electronic music. But Ibiza isn’t just somewhere to party, it’s a beautiful island. Ibiza Town has amazing old buildings and great restaurants. There are also lots of beaches that are quieter to chill out on.
Radio 1DJ’s Danny and Vernon Kay in Ibiza
When did you first go?
I was 20 and I’ve been every summer since. You never get bored. There are always nights you’ve not tried out. It’s like a second home.
Which Ibiza clubs do you like best?
I’ve had the best nights at Pacha. Erick Morillo, my god of all DJs, has a night there every Wednesday called Subliminal.
What’s the strangest sight you’ve seen on the island?
The Zoo Project. It’s a disused zoo that they use for a party. The DJ is in the old seal pit and everyone dances where the seats used to be. People dress up, so you can be dancing when a guy dressed as half a chicken and half a cow appears. Anything can happen in Ibiza.
Don’t we know it! Where would you love to DJ?
Australia, but I’m really scared of spiders. I’ve got two fears: spiders and being on a Virgin train and the door sliding open while I’m on the toilet.
Does your girlfriend Olivia [23, a marketing manager] like your music?
She’s a girlie girl and likes Rihanna and Beyoncé, but she is very supportive and politely nods along at my gigs.
Have you made her a mix tape?
Not yet. Maybe I should! I’ll remember that for Christmas.
● Visit Djdannyhoward.com for more info.
The damage
Cups of tea sipped 4
Trendy red earphones we tried to slip into our bag 1
Times we fought the urge to nip into the venue’s karaoke room 8
Number of knobs on the decks that confused us Millions!
The last word Dancebombing verb, busting a move in an unexpected place
