Interview with Calvin Harris Ahead of his Huge Gatecrasher Weekend

Electro-pop master Calvin Harris is set to make spectacular return to Gatecrasher next weekend.

After a road-blocked NYE at Gatecrasher Birmingham in 2009, DJ royalty Calvin Harris returns to Gatecrasher to celebrate the Royal Wedding weekend in style – with TWO Gatecrasher appearances in one weekend.

Following an Australian tour with megastar Rihanna, a new track which premiered on Annie Mac’s Radio One show and an album on the way, Calvin Harris is seriously hot property at the moment.

Before his headline Gatecrasher appearances next week, the King of electro-pop sat down to answer a few questions about new track ‘Awooga’, Miami Music Week, and what Rihanna’s really like.

We hear you’ve got a new album out this summer. Can you tell us anything about it?
The album will actually come a little later, I'm going to be releasing a lot of singles over the summer. There will be a lot of new music from me this year!

Can you tell us anything about the Kelis collaboration?
My new single features a vocal from Kelis, she sounds amazing on it... You'll hear it in the next couple of weeks.

You recorded your new video this month at Surrender in Vegas – how did that go? When can we see it?
It will be up and available online very soon. It was great fun shooting it in Vegas, it really is a stunning location for a video. Kelis looks amazing, I look alright, it's a good one!

Your current  track ‘Awooga’ went down a storm during Miami Music Week  - you must be pleased with the reception the track has had?
The crowd reaction is so big for that track, and the fact that so many DJs that I look up to were playing it just absolutely blew my mind. I'm very, very pleased!

How was Miami for you this year?
Really good, I played four shows over there. It's always a great party. Miami gets me excited for the summer! The highlight for me was the Swedish House Mafia party on the beach, it was huge and the crowd were so up for it.

‘Awooga’ is a clear change in musical direction for you. Is this a one off or indicative of future Calvin Harris releases?
I'm going to be releasing a lot of different music this year, some tracks designed strictly for the clubs, and this was one of them. It's only available on Beatport which is designed for electronic music only. The track with Kelis is more on line with what I have released in the past and that is the 'proper' first single.

The track is an out and out club banger, did you create the track with clubbers in mind?
Yes, it is meant for the clubs, to get people dancing and going off, and so far it's been doing a great job of that so everybody's happy.

What do you think of the UK club scene at the moment?
The UK club scene is unrivaled. I think it's still the home of dance music, and there is always so much going on here.

What was it like DJing on the Rihanna tour?
Great fun, her fans go absolutely crazy and she's a very down to earth girl so the whole thing felt really easy, and I felt very welcome on the tour.

Do you prefer DJing to live performances?
I stopped the performances with the band as I wanted to focus on building an amazing DJ show - as my music has changed, the show with the band wasn't relevant anymore. So I've changed it up and there will be a big production DJ tour some time in the future.

Are you looking forward to Ibiza this year? Where can we catch you?
Absolutely. Ibiza is always so much fun. I'll be doing a date with Pete Tong at Pacha, and then about 10 dates for Cream at Amnesia which I can't wait for. Amnesia was my favourite club to play last year, it was incredible.

You’re DJing at a lot of festivals this year. Do you have a favourite?
Creamfields is the best in my opinion - the line up is consistently unbeatable!  And the crowd they draw know their music and love to party.

If you were putting on a dance festival, who would be your top three headliners?
It would have to be Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia and Afrojack - that would be a hell of a party.

You’ve played at Gatecrasher a few times. What do you think of the clubs?
Great! The Nottingham one is a really nice size main room, big but it still feels intimate. I've had some great shows at the Birmingham club too.

What can Gatecrasher clubbers expect from your set?
Loads of bass, and BIG tunes that will make you dance!

See all Calvin Harris news, events and info

Calvin Harris plays Gatecrasher Nottingham on 30th April and Gatecrasher Birmingham on the 1st of May.

Tickets are available below:

Tickets for Calvin Harris at Gatecrasher Nottingham

Tickets for Calvin Harris at Gatecrasher Birmingham