BnB Interview | Robert James & Richy Ahmed
Written by the B&B Crew
Thursday, 30 June 2011 18:55
Interview - Crosstown Rebel DJs Robert James & Richey Ahmed talk about their gig at tomorrow's Hideout Festival in Croatia as well as other festival (mis-)adventures...
Tomorrow's the big day: Croatia's brand new Hideout Festival is destined to put the East-European city on the map of electronic music with an event remarked by the creme of the DJ industry. Situated on the island of Pag, Hideout presents two outdoor stages, one indoor/outdoor venue, two outdoor swimming pools and a large VIP area, each equipped with a lineup consisting of both big names as up and coming acts. We recently sat down with Crosstown Rebel DJs Richy Ahmed and Richard James, who will both be playing at various Crosstown Rebels parties during the event...
Robert James
What are you most excited about playing at Hideout this weekend?
The venue and the people. I’ve been looking at some photos of the site and it looks amazing. Also I know so many people who are going. So it’s going to be good seeing everyone in the sun having a good time.
What is your favourite festival (and why)?
My favourite is Glastonbury and I’ve only been once, last year. The place is unreal and the energy of the festival is crazy, a lot of smiling people. I wasn’t able to go this year unfortunately due to gigs, but the gig was amazing so can't complain. Roll on 2013 for the next one.
What is your fondest festival memory?
Trying to remember as they’re always a bit of a blur ha. Probably last year DJing at Glastonbury in a pink tank after watching Stevie Wonder. Last time I was in a tank was when I was fighting for the British Army in Iraq so this was a bit of a different situation haha.What is your most bizarre festival experience? Glastonbury again. Me and two mates stumbling across the Rabbit Hole bar. Its a nice chilled little bar go at night at find a man dressed as the mad hatter in the corner near a tiny little door in the ground. Answer the riddle go through the tunnel and you will find out!!
What are your essential festival items?
Good mates and plenty of supplies…
What is your life-saving festival tip?
Bog Roll, nothing worse than needing a dump and there isn’t any toilet paper.
Richy Ahmed
What are you most excited about playing at Hideout this weekend?
I'm most excited about going back to Croatia, as it is one of my favourite European destinations. The country is absolutely beautiful. Plus I have never been to Pag, I hear it’s a gorgeous Island. The Crosstown Rebels boat party is also something I'm really excited about.
What is your favourite festival (and why)?
This is a really hard one and something I was in a debate about tonight. My top three are Glasto, Burning man and Sonar, and honestly they are all totally different animals so they shouldn't really be compared as it isn't really fair. I will say that the single best time I have had at any festival/party in my life was Glastonbury last year, my first ever one. The weather was amazing completely dry no mud (shock horror). The choice, scale, vibe and quality of the place was something that totally blew me away. I had the best time and listened to the most amazing and varied mix of music that topped with the production and choice of the night time arenas the place blew my mind. Complete mission at times though but everything worth it in life is.
What is your fondest festival memory?
Playing the Nexus at Burning Man playing in front of around 2000 people going back to back with Jamie Jones. What is your most bizarre festival experience? Doing a fancy dress catwalk show dressed in a vicars robe with a pink tutu at burning man.
What are your essential festival items?
Good company and a Bose battery operated iPod dock for when the music stops.What is your life-saving festival tip? Don't do what I do and pack loads of pointless crap you don't need and never use, it will save you a lot of hassle.
