For over two decades the Hungarian-born producer has been putting on huge shows featuring some of the most recognised musical superstars. The 2017 lineup will be made up of creative talent including Leslie Mandoki, Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), Nick Van Eede (Cutting Crew), Tony Carey (Rainbow), Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Randy Brecker, John Helliwell (Supertramp), Bill Evans, Bobby Kimball (Toto) and more!

For tickets and more info visit http://craftbeerrising.co.uk 

HAVING CEMENTED HIMSELF IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE SOUTH WEST FOUR FAITHFUL FOLLOWING AN UNFORGETTABLE HEADLINE SET IN 2010, THIS SUMMER MARKS THE RETURN TO THE FESTIVAL OF THE INIMITABLE NORMAN COOK AKA FATBOY SLIM. IN 2015 NORMAN DEBUTS HIS BRAND NEW PROJECT THE ‘SMILE HIGH CLUB’ AT SW4, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO INVITE HIS FAVOURITE ARTISTS TO BE A PART OF A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE THE ‘SMILE HIGH CLUB’ WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE EVENTS BRAND NEW 10,000 CAPACITY INDOOR MAIN STAGE AND WILL INJECT SW4 WITH A HUGE DOSE OF RANDOM ACTS AND GIANT SMILEYS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE BIG MAN TO DISCUSS HIS SUMMER PLANS AND HOW HE INTENDS TO TAKE THE FESTIVAL BY STORM.

SO SMILE HIGH CLUB’ – WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COME UP WITH THIS CONCEPT AND WHY?

COMING BACK TO PLAY CLAPHAM COMMON FOR THE 3RD TIME AND WANTING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WE DECIDED TO HOST AN ARENA RATHER THAN TROTTING OUT THE SAME MAIN STAGE SHOW YET AGAIN. WE WERE KINDLY GIVEN OUR OWN ARENA AND SO THE NEXT QUESTION WAS HOW TO MAKE SOMETHING WARM AND INTIMATE RATHER THAN JUST PUTTING UP A FEW BRANDING BANNERS. WE WANT IT TO FEEL LIKE A CLUB RATHER THAN JUST ANOTHER ARENA AND GIVEN MY OBSESSION WITH SMILEYS THINGS JUST SNOWBALLED.

WHAT CAN THE SW4 FAITHFUL EXPECT FROM YOUR ARENA?

A LOVINGLY AND PERSONALLY CURATED LINE UP OF LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS GETTING COZY. STOOPID AND FULL OF SMILES.

CAN YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHT INTO THE SURPRISES WE CAN EXPECT FROM ‘SMILE HIGH CLUB’?

IF I TOLD YOU THEN THEY WOULDN’T BE A SURPRISE WOULD THEY? THE NAME OF THE GAME IS RANDOM ACTS OF SMILEYNESS. THEY WILL BE RANDOM, THEY WILL MAKE YOU SMILE. THERE WON’T BE ANY RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS, THAT’S FOR TREE HUGGERS…WE’LL BE OUT ON THE RAZZ.

WHAT OTHER LITTLE TRICKS ARE UP YOUR SLEEVE TO RAISE THOSE SMILES AT SW4? WE HEAR THERE WILL BE SOME “SMILEY INFECTIONS”?

WE WILL BE DRAFTING IN EXTRA HOSTESSES/HOSTS TO BRING EXTRA GRINNAGE. WE DID OUR FIRST SHC ON THE HOLY SHIP AND IT INVOLVED ON DECK SACK RACING, SMILEY EGG AND SPOON ETC, DJ-ING BACK TO BACK WITH THE WINNERS OF THE GAMES AND THEN GLASS ELEVATOR DANCE OLYMPICS. IF YOU ARE STRAIGHT, WE’LL MAKE YOU HIGH. IF YOU ARE HIGH WE’LL MAKE YOU HIGHER. IF YOU’VE GOT STRAIGHT TROUSERS WE’LL GIVE YOU FLARES.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE ACTS PLAYING ‘SMILE HIGH CLUB’ AT 5W4?

GREEN VELVET RECENTLY PLAYED BACK TO BACK WITH CAJMERE. I BET THAT WAS SURREAL FOR SHC HE WILL BE GOING ONE ON ONE WITH PATRICK TOPPING IN A MORE

TRADITIONAL DJ SOUNDCLASH. PETE TONG WILL BE HAVING A SIMILAR TRADE OFF WITH GORGON CITY. THERE COULD BE SPARKS… HANNAH WANTS IS MY FAVOURITE DJ

IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW (AND A GUILTY PLEASURE). I WILL PROBABLY COME IN MY PANTS WHEN KOLSCH PLAYS THE PIANO RIFF OFF ‘DER ALTE’ LIVE ON THE PIANO…

WHAT ARTISTS ARE INSPIRING YOU AT THE MOMENT?

CHOCOLATE PUMA CONTINUETO STUN AND AMAZE ME WITH THEIR PRODUCTIONS. I’M OFTEN FOUND SINGING HERVE AND TREVOR LOVEY’S ‘JACKING WITH YOU MUM’ IN THE BATH.

YOU HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME INCREDIBLE MOMENTS ON CLAPHAM COMMON OVER THE YEARS FROM NEAR STAGE INVASIONS TO HELPING 5W4 MOVE FROM A 1 DAY TO 2 DAY EVENT – WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?

NEAR STAGE INVASIONS ARE NO GOOD FOR ME, I WANT REAL ONES. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO PLAY THE FIRST ONE AND IT IS NOW PART OFTHE FURNITURE THOUGH

SLIGHTLY LESS CHAOTIC!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PLAYING IN LONDON?

ALWAYS A GOOD CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH OLD FRIENDS. I ALWAYS FORGET HOW MANY PEOPLE I KNOW UP THERE, ITS QUITE A BIG CITY APPARENTLY…

YOUR SETS ARE LIKE AN ENERGY BOMB – DOES THIS COME NATURALLY TO YOU OR DO YOU VIBE OFF THE CROWD?

TEE HEE. IT’S ABOUT 25% ME AND 15% THE CROWD. IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO!

FROM SELLING OUT BRIXTON ACADEMY TO ATTRACTING 250,000 TO BRIGHTON BEACH WHAT IS YOUR MIDAS TOUCH DOWN TO?

I THINK OVER THE YEARS I HAVE GAINED A REPUTATION AS A PROVIDER OF DANCING AND SMILING. I TEND TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND I GUESS IT MUST BE INFECTIOUS…

CAN WE EXPECT ANY NEW MATERIAL FROM YOU TO BE PLAYED AT SW4?

THERE WILL BE SOME BITS AND BOBS NO DOUBT.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT PLANNED FOR THE REST OF 2015?

SADLY MY GUEST APPEARANCE ON VIC AND BOB’S HOUSE OF FOOLS NEVER CAME TO FRUITION SO I WILL STICK TO DJ-ING. IBIZA TO BALI VIA MAYERHOFEN…

FATBOY SLIM PRESENTS ‘SMILE HIGH CLUB’ AT SOUTH WEST FOUR, CLAPHAM COMMON ON SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST. FOR TICKETS AND FULL LINEUP HEAD TO WWW.SOUTHWESTFOUR.COM

SMILE HIGH CLUB

AT SOUTH WEST FOUR

SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST

WWW.SOUTHWESTFOUR.COM

BM Soho have made a statement explaining that “unfortunately due to contractual dispute over the building that has been home of BM Soho for the past 25 years we have been forced to temporarily close. Our landlord has been certain that our address will join the massive gentrification of Soho and regrettably we could no longer afford to fight the legal battle to stop that happening anymore.

“Unlike many businesses that have closed recently, BM Soho BeatControl was performing well, so it is a massive shame to end this way. Fear not though we plan to be back bigger and stronger than ever very soon in central London. Until then we remain open for equipment in Edgware North London and online at bm-soho.com. Thanks to all our loyal customers and friends, cheers for all the support over the years. We will keep you updated here as soon as we have news!”

Further details:

http://www.factmag.com/2015/02/27/london-record-store-bm-soho-formerly-black-market-appears-to-have-closed/

Reaction from fans:

http://www.gigwise.com/news/98518/djs-and-fans-mourn-loss-of-black-market-records

Flying Squad London would like to wish the Black Market Records team the best of luck with the transition and we all look forward to the opening of their brand new store very soon!