I am social secretary at DJ, Mix & Production at the University of Derby. I’ve never played in front of a ‘real’ audience. I’ve played empty rooms, house parties with friendly faces and house parties with very unfriendly faces. Nobody really takes you seriously until you give them a reason to. So, I took this idea and ran with it. After a year of learning music in a completely different way, I’ve started teaching other people how to DJ, passing on good vibes and helping people start a hobby that they can truly enjoy. I didn’t really care much for opportunities that arose, I don’t think I took them seriously enough. Being offered gigs is difficult for me, it’s a tie between wanting to be DJ’ing, and wanting to be playing music you love. Tonight finally gave me that chance to do what I love.

5:00pm (Practice)

I can’t explain a pre-gig feeling. Butterflies in my tummy, an emptiness in my head. I couldn’t even speak to my best mate about it because I didn’t even know how to explain it, how can you explain something you can’t even comprehend. I’d lied to a promoter to warm up for Thomas Jules (Vocalist, songwriter and general legend from Rudimental). 

-

9:00pm - 10:30pm (Dan Jackson) 

So I turned up to my University, absolutely shitting a brick. The fact that it’s a Graduation Ball doesn’t help. The people are at least 3 years older than me, everyone’s in Tuxedos and ball gowns and hello, there’s me arriving in all black, trainers and peak cap to match. I feel like a complete utter bellend. Nobody’s dancing, tonight is truly going to flop.

However, I was very impressed with my Student Union for hiring so much equipment! The stage was a full LED coverage with looping graphics, behind the booth was a camera, displaying on 12 different tv’s in the room. I notice my DDJ-SX2′s that look absolutely tiny next to Thomas’ CDJ’s. (I totally fangirl Nexus 2000′s - I’ve never touched them in real life).

-

10:30pm - 11:00pm

The vibe started to change for me, I was singing along happily on the balcony of my Student Union, watching my friend play his heart out. His concentration face was something on a next level. So, fuck it? If I get scared I’m gonna be shaking and my set’s going to be shit. If I play my own music, keep my flow and just keep singing I knew I could do it. I’ve done it a thousand times in my room so why not try and blow these speakers too?

- 

11:45pm

Rudimental has just walked on a shook my hand, he asked my name and I turned blank. I was honestly in my own zone. It took me a couple seconds to process and I politely say hello and tell him that he is literally the most off putting thing in the entire world (and a couple more fan girly things.) Bringing down the levels on 9TS baby, sick of hearing gold teeth and lemon lemon on repeat. The packed out crowd dancing away stops, everyone stares at me as if I’ve kidnapped someone. I click play. 

Right Here, Right Now. 

After a 32 bar intro, fresh from the drop, Rudimental walks out, (UNPLANNED) picks up my mic, and he’s hyping along. To Fatboy Slim, he gives me a shoutout, high fives me. Now anyone who knows this song knows how epic it can drop at a rave, a true classic. I enjoyed

every

single

second

-

1:00am-2:00am 

I really don’t like calling him Rudimental because he’s not, he’s Thomas Jules and he’s such a lovely guy. 

After Tommy finishes his set, I ask him to hang around for a drink. Of course I’m going to take advantage of every second with this guy, hanging around behind a curtain in my University with a guy who’s sold out in tours in Australia? I’d be mad not to. 

After a complete buzz from the crowd’s reaction I’m back to my confident self. The beats are changing from slow rhythmic jams that you feel in your hips, to a more offbeat, off key drum and bass. I see my best friend, Tom B killing the stage with next level underground vibes. With conversation flowing between Tommy and I, I offer the guy a lift back to his hotel. It’s not much of a big offer but nether less, it’s all I have to offer so fuck it.

-

3am 

I have spent the last hour with Thomas Jules, in his hotel room, with my best friend and his flatmate. Listening to unreleased Anne Marie tracks and he’s asking MY opinion!? Obviously I was loving every second of it, I’d seen her video go viral on Facebook and had been following her for a while. She’s got a voice with range like Jessie J and the attitude of Lily Allen. It’s incredible, such raw, beautiful talent. 

-

Tonight, Thomas has asked Travell, Tom B and I to a sold out Rudimental show in March. We swapped contact details (Yes I have his phone number) and I smoked a spliff with Rudimental. 

and that’s the story I’ve been telling everyone.

I smoked a spliff with Rudimental. 

With peace and love, Whiddett x