The legendary DJ spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview on site at Creamfields about his strong connection with Liverpool
Fatboy Slim spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview at Creamfields(Image: Getty Images)
Creamfields has been running for almost 30 years, but Fatboy Slim will never get tired of the dance music festival. The legendary DJ, whose real name is Norman Cook, performed at the first ever Creamfields in 1998.
He was back the next year when it moved to Liverpool and now performs at the same slot on the Sunday evening in its current home in Daresbury. The 63-year-old spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview on site yesterday (August 30) as he said the mantra Creamfields was founded on has remained the same throughout the change in location.
He said: “My friends, the Barton family, had this idea of let’s get all the DJs, and all of dance music to have a festival for us, by us. And it was great idea. It was a beautiful thing and it’s still a beautiful thing. It’s a much bigger and stronger, beautiful thing.
“It’s the original and best dance music festival that was just for DJs and dance music culture. It’s a celebration and that’s why we all come and play every year.
“There’s very few festivals like this. If you’re still hot, you’re here. It’s the hottest DJs in the world in one big muddy field.” Torrential rain and thunderstorms battered the festival this year, but it didn’t dampen the mood as people remained in positive spirits.
Sunday’s show was the DJs third of the weekend and he had just arrived on site for his chat with the ECHO as he joked he felt like the odd one out. He added: “I’ve just arrived so I’m the only clean and dry person on the festival site. I feel like I stick out.
“How come you’re not covered in mud and soaking went. But I’m here and I’m ready to party.” The party spirit that defines the festival was born at Liverpool’s iconic Cream and Fatboy enjoys a special connection with the city through the shared love of dance music culture.
He said: “Scousers are such funny, warm, beautiful people. Whether you’re playing a gig to them or just wandering around it’s always a nice place.”
The DJ had chance to explore Liverpool last year as he was part of the first ever away supporters to watch a competitive game at the Hill Dickinson stadium when Everton defeated Brighton 2 – 0. Despite the result, he enjoyed the chance to soak up the occasion in the city as he said: “I don’t often get to soak up much local culture, but I got lucky with that football game. Apart from the score.
“All my friends from Liverpool and all the time I’ve had in Liverpool, it’s been with the friendliest and funniest people on earth.” He joked: “You’ve just got to get over that shy streak.”
The rich dance music heritage in Liverpool means the Praise You musician has enjoyed many special moments here. He shared one of the more surreal experiences in his interview from the heyday of the Cream nightclub.
He said: “My strongest memory is driving around on an armoured car/tank to go to Cream. For some reason, James Barton decided we should arrive that way.”
The stunt saw the car decorated with Fatboy Slim’s smiley motif, as he added: “It looked like a tank and we just sat on top of it and just drove around Liverpool. I have no idea why we did it and it was very surreal and very funny.
He added: “What a way to see the city. We were sitting on top of it. Everyone who had come to see us was already in the pub so we were just waving at random Friday night people in Liverpool.
“They were like who are you and why are you on an armoured car. We were like we don’t know.”
