UP to 280,000 fans will descend on Daresbury next weekend to worship at the Mecca of dance music – Creamfields, but one superstar DJ wants them all to hand over their phones first.
Paul Oakenfold is often called the “Godfather of electronic music” and loves nothing better than getting the Creamfields massive moving.
However, after over four decades in the business he’s noted a massive change in how people party and spoken out against the modern habit obsessing over smartphones, advocating for restrictions to preserve the authenticity of dance music culture.
Asked if Creamfields should ban phones Oakie told the Star: “Yes. If you take these away from clubbers, you’ll get back to how it should be, and you’ll enjoy the time and the music more.
“Trust me; been there and done it.”
Oakie has played at iconic locations across the world and long argued that the atmosphere at these events has changed for the worse, especially when you think back the halcyon days of the 90s.
He said: “Unless we ban phones from clubs then people won’t focus on the music and be in the moment, not filming. But hey, that is the world we live in now.”
Fortunately Creamfields punters love their dance music and for Oakie he’ll always return to the Cheshire bash which this year boasts over 250 acts like Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia and Disclosure.
“I have been DJing at Creamfields ever since it began,” he gushed. “It’s truly one of my favourite festivals in Britain….they know how to look after the fans.”
Oakie is also massive Chelsea FC fan and was hoping to make sweet music with the premier league club. However, after a couple of less than memorable seasons nobody seems to know what is going on at the football club.
“The owners don’t seem to know what they are doing, so how would supporters like us have a clue?” he spilled. “But I’ve been in talks on-and-off with Chelsea to record a track for the team.”
They’ll be hoping for silverware first, but at least they’ve got support from pop royalty. The Queen Of Pop Madonna has been visiting Stamford Bridge of late and having supported Madge on three world tours Oakie is keen to watch a match with his pop pal: “I haven’t been to a game with her, and I haven’t heard the new album, just yet, I’d always go and support her – wherever she goes, if I’m there.”
Last year marked 35 years of his iconic label Perfecto and given clubbers loads of memories, what are his highlights? “There have been so many, it’s hard to choose one, but one that comes to mind was the Perfecto show at Clapton Common where the police count was 70,000 people.
“(And) Ibiza still holds a special place. You could never choose one most memorable night. Ibiza is not built for one night. Clubbers might not be partying the same way as they used to but Oakie hasn’t given up the ghost. His exploits are legendary – from hanging out with Jack Nicholson to sharing absinthe with Hunter S. Thompson…so who’s left on the wishlist?
“I’m more in the wellness space now, and not a partier anymore,” he smiles, slightly unconvincingly. “I’m looking to launch a whole music brand around it, very soon.
“There are always personal goals to achieve. There are also a lot of other things to come, but I can’t mention them at the moment, and don’t want to spoil it.”
Creamfields 2026 will celebrate 20 years at Daresbury, August 27-30.
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