We all had dreams when we were kids. Can you remember yours? Inspiring the next generation of creatives is at the heart of what we do. Offering opportunities for our community to ignite a new spark of interest in the arts. A chance to explore the worlds of performance and music alongside sport and science, nature and environment, wellness and food.
Who was inspired? Ethobeat
What and when inspired you?
I’ve loved attending festivals with my family since I was small. Boomtown was one of my first festivals, and I especially loved the drum and bass and ragga.
The first time we went to Elderflower Fields aged 10, we spent most of our time at the Moonshine Fandango because of the brilliant DJs (and my mum’s love for middle-aged raving!). That’s where I first saw a young DJ called George, also known as Llama G. I remember saying, “I’d like to do that.” Up until then, I’d only had piano lessons and hadn’t even thought about DJing.
What did you do as a result?
I joined a DJ workshop at another festival and loved it so much I went 3 times over the weekend. That Christmas, Mum and Dad bought me a DJ set. I was so excited, but found it a bit tricky, and my parents weren’t much help! I was lucky to meet Bradley (aka Triple B), who offered to help me and even give me some lessons.
All that practice led to an incredible opportunity: Elderflower Fields offered me a 30-minute set supported by none other than Llama G – the same DJ who first inspired me. I struggle with anxiety and was incredibly nervous, but everyone was so supportive. It was an absolutely amazing feeling to get up there and entertain the crowd. They thought I might need a flight case to reach the decks, but I made it!
What are you up to now?
Since then, I’ve played an hour-long reggae set at Folk in a Field, performed with Rascal Raves at Camp Bestival, and even been asked to host a regular slot on a local radio station. I’m also booked to DJ at a 50th birthday party, and I’m really excited to support my mentor Bradley in January at Voodoo Daddy’s in Norwich. And best of all, Elderflower Fields have invited me back next year!
I feel really lucky to have met so many supportive people on this adventure. Even though it’s not always easy to get up there and face my nerves, seeing how happy music makes people is totally worth it — and I’ve discovered that I really love DJing.
Follow the adventures of Ethobeat on Instagram here
