DJ Andrew Marston

I’ve not only spent more than half of my life behind the record decks - but I’m also the longest serving new music presenter at the BBC. I'm also a musician, having played piano and keyboards since the age of 6. I’ve always had an ear for a hit - and never failed to get a dancefloor pumping, which is why I've always been invited back to every place I've ever played. Which, incidentally, was 125 gigs in the year leading up the the pandemic! I’ve also hosted takeovers on BBC Radio 1’s In New Music We Trust, LakeFest at Eastnor Castle on BBC 6 Music as well as multiple broadcasts from the Hay Festival - so my portfolio is vast. I've also chosen EVERY song you hear broadcast on my local BBC - from breakfast to sport, drivetime to the gardening phone-in! Some of the things that make me unique… 1. I’m also a Video DJ. Whenever I DJ, I’m actually mixing live video. But unless I have a projector or set of flatscreens - you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. If I’m booked at a venue that has this installed, simply hand me an input cable and voila! I also tour with a rather funky projector screen, so while many people may be in love with their 55" flatscreen, this one is 3.6 meters (or 142" if you want to go by TV standards)! Display wise - anything is possible - from music videos, photo slideshows, visual effects, promo videos, animations, etc. I often make video slideshows to accompany my sets - click on videos to see some examples. I offer these as standard. * Don’t confuse this with a Zoom DJ - I will actually be at your event! 2. I regularly tour with a saxophonist, rapper, vocalist and percussionist. As a piano player, I can also walk around the dancefloor playing synth…so if you fancy hearing Zombie Nation performed live…! Let me know if this is something of interest as I’ll need to check availability of other musicians. I have often had conversations with clients who are not sure whether to book a DJ or a band. Sometimes they’ll spend a fortune by having both. I’m able to offer the perfect hybrid - performing non-stop, without breaks in the music (and most importantly - in the set) while bringing a combination of singers and musicians on-and-off stage to perform live. Having been at the helm of BBC Music Introducing since 2005, I’m in no shortage of finding the very best talent. 3. Everything I do involves music. I read a wonderful blog where an industry professional said “you wouldn’t ask a hairdresser to service your car - and you wouldn’t let a mechanic audit your accounts”. I’ve met so many DJs who play records at night and, by day, work in a shoe shop! Discovering music is what I do - and I refer to my best discoveries as my “secret weapons” - tracks that will blow the roof off any venue. Every week I listen to in excess of 400 tracks - so my collection is VAST. If you want a dance set, no problem. Or house, trance, drum ’n' bass, indie, rock, 60’s soul, 70's funk, 80's disco, Motown, Old Skool, UK garage, hip-hop and RnB - I’ve got it all! I also carry request forms with me and I’m happy to take suggestions on the night. 4. If your event requires equipment, this is where I really stand out. Having spent thousands on the best gear, while making sure it's all extremely portable, my setup is both subtle and impactful. For example, my speakers are of festival grade (I actually bought them off the person who does the acoustic stage at Glastonbury!). They come with built-in feedback eliminators and anti-distortion limiters, so no matter how loud or quiet you’d like it, the full range clarity of sound will ensure nobody will be leaving with raging tinnitus. For live projection, I install a 3.6M screen between both speakers and backwards project, meaning you won’t see any cabling. My lights are DMX controlled and range from stage-grade moving heads, nightclub-grade strobes, moonflowers, lasers and smoke (if permitted!). I normally operate from a DJ booth away from the setup meaning people can request songs. Of course, all of this depends on space. Having run a variety of club nights for a number of years, I’m also able to recommend bands, fire eaters, stilt walkers, table magicians, photographers, videographers, casino table operators, chocolate fountain providers, photo booth suppliers and plenty of other professionals that can really put the 'wow factor' into your event. Just drop me a message! Notable sets: BBC Radio 1 (regular sets), The BBC Introducing Mixtape on BBC 6 Music, Ibiza Rocks in San Antonio (several shows), Scala in London (former resident), Naughty But Nice in Hereford (Organiser/Promoter), Velvet/Tramps Nightclub in Worcester (former resident), LakeFest at Eastnor Castle (10,000 people - annual sets), The Upton Sunshine Festival (6,000 people - annual sets), Mello Festival (5,000 people), the opening set at Into The Woods in Herefordshire, the opening slot of the Nozstock Festival (7,000 people) and closing off the Wychwood Festival (10,000 people - annual sets). I've also held residencies at more than 10 venues across the Midlands for more than a decade. The BBC: Presents a weekly new music show on the BBC / Select playlist tracks for BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra / Recommends “ones to watch out for" for BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, BBC Asian Network and BBC Television / Chooses all of the music for BBC Hereford & Worcester / Receives in excess of 400 promos a week / Selects artists for stages at Glastonbury, Reading + Leeds, SXSW, Radio 1's Big Weekend, T In The Park, The Montreal Jazz Festival, Worcester Music Festival, Nozstock, Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park, The Great Escape, Bestival, LakeFest and the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. • "Andrew has been DJing at our club for the last two years, or so. Not only is he the best DJ we have ever had, he is also completely reliable. His knowledge of music and mixing is excellent." - Charmaine Danter, Jacqueline's Nightclub • "Andrew is one of the most entertaining DJ's we've had, whether solo or with other musicians. Highly recommend him." - Paul O'Neill, Artistic Director, Lakefest • "A hugely enthusiastic and dynamic DJ, bringing much fun to every party he plays.” - Graeme Merifield, Director, Wychwood Festival • "Having worked with Andrew with regard to DJing, event promotion, and live performance, I can happily say I found him to be intelligent, insightful and reliable. His professionalism allowed me to relax and concentrate on other facets requiring my attention, safe in the knowledge he had things covered. Recommended.” - Andy Passman, Founder of Naughty But Nice • "Andrews's talentspotting record at BBC Introducing stretches back over a decade - and puts him at the living, beating heart of Hereford and Worcester's thriving music scene.” - Tom Robinson, Musician & BBC 6 Music Presenter