DJ Paul Taylor of Retro nights at former Angels nightspot in Burnley all set to play Beat-Herder
Burnley DJ Paul Taylor has spun vinyl all over the world – but believes nothing compares to the annual celebration of ‘beats and barminess’ under the shadow of Pendle Hill.
The much-loved Beat-Herder is 21 in July with The Orb, Faithless, Dave Rodigan, Utah Saints and Roni Size all pencilled in for the four-day dance bash in the lush fields of the Ribble Valley.
He said: “Beat-Herder is my favourite gig of the year – it is the North of England’s Glastonbury.”
Taylor, who has missed just one Beat- Herder, adds: “I fell in love with the place straightaway. I was star struck. Visually, it’s fantastic and the boys who run it, Ian, Jamie and Nick, put so much imagination, care and ingenuity into every corner of the festival. You would arguably have to travel hundreds of miles to find a festival to equal what Beat-Herder offers and we are very lucky to have it in our neck of the woods.
“The festival has evolved but they still create that special Beat-Herder magic every year.”
Taylor will be lighting up the Beat-Herder retro boosters with a Saturday night slot on the Fortress stage. “I played in the trees (Toil Trees) last year, in between Woody Cook, Fatboy Slim’s son, and Gok Wan (TV presenter and chef).
“Gok Wan said ‘I was so happy that we were on the same stage because you are one of my favourite DJs - I’ve followed your career for years.’
“I thought that was very nice of him to say. Believe me, he can play too. Gok Wan is a very accomplished DJ. He mixes extremely well, knows how to get a crowd going and he looks the part. A proper entertainer and that’s what I like.
“I get annoyed when I see DJs putting their heads down during a set and having no interaction with their audience. I understand a DJ is an entertainer, but what I don’t get is the adulation of the so-called superstar DJs.
“I became a DJ because I loved it. I was never comfortable with the fame aspect of it. I just believed in what I was doing; and I did it on my own terms.”
The challenging financial climate in the UK since the Covid-19 pandemic has seen numerous festivals go to the wall with many struggling to survive. Paul added: “Beat-Herder has lasted because people wax lyrical about it and they come away with such a beautiful vibe that they don’t stop talking about it all year.
“When I’m out and about, folk often say: ‘Are you playing Beat-Herder, Paul?’ The festival has great staying power but also a real sense of community and that is what makes it such a special place.”
Beat-Herder festival, Thursday to Sunday, July 16-19. Tickets are available via the website www.beatherder.co.uk