The main thing I love about the entertainment industry is the sheer volume of innovation. We've all seen ideas suddenly enter the market, become absolutely huge, and then disappear just as quickly. Indeed, we have a special saying for this – "it's just the latest chocolate fountain!"

How did I end up sitting in a bar in Solihull until 6am with Toni Cavallo from Event Wizard? Well, like many DJs, it all started when I was young, surrounded by music from various members of my family.

I didn’t always want to speak on the mic. Like many DJs, I was happiest behind the booth, focused on the music, watching the crowd react. However, I was then asked to make a simple announcement. That moment hit me hard. My voice felt shaky, the sound wasn’t right, and I wasn’t sure what to say. It was uncomfortable, awkward even.

Sampling – the act of taking a small piece of another artist’s song and using it in your own – is not a new phenomenon. It can be subtle, akin to dexterously layering an instrument or voice so it enhances rather than dominates, or it can be bold, such as when the sample in question does all the heavy-lifting by way of the hook or even the lion’s share of the sound.

It’s 8.02pm. You've just announced your new wedding rate of £400 online. By 8.03pm, Facebook has you convinced your DJ career is dead. “You’ll never get that round here, mate.” “£200 tops.” “Absolute dreamer.”

Sound familiar? Welcome to the algorithm’s toxic dancefloor, where invisible code spins your mood, confidence, and business decisions like a drunk punter who’s grabbed your mic.

Wedding DJing has changed. It’s no longer just about dropping bangers from 7pm until midnight, watching the dancefloor go wild, and packing up when the last track fades. Today, it’s a more holistic experience, and clients expect so much more from their wedding suppliers. It’s a race for the latest trend; it’s a hunt for unique experiences. Being a wedding DJ now involves crafting a vibe, building a narrative, and paying close attention to the rhythm of the evening, even before the first beat drops.

Glastonbury Festival, affectionately known as ‘Glasto’, is not just a music event – it’s a rite of passage, a sprawling city of creativity, and a celebration of freedom and expression. Held annually (with some fallow years) in Somerset, Glastonbury is considered the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world.

Elsewhere in this issue we touched upon several cases where artists have got caught up in song sampling legal battles. It will probably come as no surprise that in-fighting, fallings out, and downright deception are so regular in the music industry that the sound of the court room gavel has pretty much developed a beat of its own. There are far too many instances to cover here in any great detail, but we’ve curated a playlist, if you will, of some of the juicier ones.

Are you onboard with the digital revolution or are you still sending out paper contracts for your bookings? When I first started my business, I used to print out two copies of the booking form and post them out to the client. I included a return envelope for a signed copy of the form to be returned. Back in 2003 that felt normal but now that seems like a lifetime ago and I can’t remember the last time I posted a physical copy of the booking form.