Music > Interviews
Jo Whiley
30/05/19
So you’re coming to Norwich for your 90s Anthems show: for those who have tickets, what can they expect?
JW answer: It’s a celebration of the biggest Anthems from the 90s. Any old or young indie kids, clubbers, ravers it’s a chance to have a fantastic night out with your mates, have a dance and sing-easy!
How did these club nights come about? Was it something you’ve always wanted to do, always been doing, or something sudden?
JW answer: A few years ago I was asked to DJ at Racecourses and a few private events, It wasn’t something I’d ever really thought about doing before as I was more than happy doing my radio thing. However people seemed to really like what we were doing, especially when I played big songs from the 90s in the set like Oasis, Blur, Chemical Brothers & the Prodigy, people started going crazy. So we sat down and thought, hang on there are lots of people at these racecourses who are no longer 21, who are loving partying still - we need to give them a night out! Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems was born.
How do you compare DJing on radio to DJing at a venue?
JW answer: I became a radio DJ simply because I loved music. I used to go to lots of gigs, was obsessed with certain bands and loved being part of the music scene. Being on the radio was an extension to that. I was able to discover new bands and play them to lots of people instead of just a few friends. So in my head when I am on the radio it’s me and one person who I am playing the song to.
When I started DJing in front of a crowd, being shy by nature I was like ‘Woooah, hang on, not sure I can do this’. People presume that because you are on the radio you are gregarious and outgoing but actually that’s not the case for many broadcasters and performers. In my head, it’s just me and a friend and a song.
However, the reaction from the audience when you play a classic 90’s song that clearly means something very special to someone and they go crazy it is instantly rewarding. It’s now something I really enjoy - making people happy is the best job in the world.
Give me a tiny cut of the playlist?
JW answer: In the 90s I was very fortunate to be the music booker on the now legendary TV show THE WORD. I was given free rein by the producers to book whoever I liked, so I basically booked all my favourite bands. There were many iconic moments that made music TV history. Nirvana, who had never played on TV, were booked immediately and Kurt declared live to the nation that Courtneay Love was the best F*** in the world. L7 came on and dropped their trousers for a spectacular camera close up. There was Rage Against The Machine, Manic Street Preachers, Public Enemy, Primal Scream... It was a dream job.
I then found myself on Radio 1 (another dream job) and given the Evening Session along with Steve Lamacq. We were very lucky as all these amazing bands suddenly appeared out of nowhere; The Chemical Brothers, FatBoy Slim, Underworld, The Prodigy exploded onto the dance scene, we had Blur,Oasis,Pulp, the Manics - BritPop was born, It was an incredible time for music even though we had no idea at the time!
If you like these tunes, then you won’t be disappointed by the set list. Throw in a bunch of big club classic like The Source/ Candi Station, N-Trance, Living Joy - you get the idea!
Now coming onto your radio work, you’re a pioneer of women in the industry—how does this feel? How has it been working in this industry as one of the most successful women in its history?
JW answer: I am very flattered you have said that. Everyone has a role model and I have never hidden my respect for the likes of Annie Nightingale who I feel led the way.
I am very grateful for everything that has happened in my career as a broadcaster. As I said before I always just wanted to discover new music and play it to my friends, as far as I am concerned this is what I have done for my whole career. I never wanted to be funny (because I am not!), never chased being famous as frankly I am pretty shy, I do however absolutely love music, and also love interviewing musicians and artists about themselves. I am still a massive fan at heart. If I can encourage other women to follow my lead and get their voices heard on air or become key figures in the music scene then I’d feel my career has been worthwhile. There are still not enough of us working in music - don’t let anyone hold you back. Let your passion and voice be heard in whichever way best suits you.
How have you seen the music industry and structure change in your years as a professional in it—what kind of rise the bands have, how important radio is within it, etc?
JW answer: I’ve been doing this a long time……Vinyl went to CD, CD to downloads, downloads to streaming, then in some cases back to vinyl again!!! Music goes in cycles, festivals have become massive cultural events in the UK (ironic as our weather is so hit and miss). I think in the UK we have a unique relationship with music, I am biased but I think UK radio is a key player it that. We are an island, and have massive national radio stations playing a broad range of music. Look around the world and you’ll see that other countries and nowhere near as lucky as we are in the UK, in how diverse our radio stations are.
I think outside of a few stations in India, Radio 2 is the biggest if not one of the biggest radio stations in the world. In this country it has a huge influence. That’s why I believe so much great music has come out of this country.
What is your method for keeping music from the past alive?
JW answer: I am very lucky I chose 100% of the songs on my show. My audience loves to hear absolute classics and I am in the wonderful position in being able to play them.
What is your favourite type of music to DJ live?
JW answer: BIG INDIE CLASSICS-Blur, Oasis, Pulp, James are my absolute favs
So tell us what is your go to song or track when you are?
JW answer:
Sad - John Grant - GMF
In need of inspiration - Stormzy - Blinded by your Grace
Happy (or make you feel happier) - Lorde - Liabilty
Need to relax - Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
Need to let anger/frustration out? Green Day - Basketcase
You have interviewed so many acts, which jumps out as most memorable interview and why?
JW answer: David Bowie came into the studio while I was prepping for our interview, without me knowing - I looked up and he said ‘Mind if I sit down’? I said ‘Oh no but I haven’t got my make up on yet’, ‘and he replied, ‘Neither have I’
In terms of interviews Liam and Noel at the height of the Oasis success provided ‘lively’ banter and Bono is always great value-I have a soft spot for his passion for everything in life.
Chris Martin is just a lovely guy and a genius.
Ed Sheeran is both a lovely kind man and the hardest working person I have ever met,
Jay Z came around my house while I was doing a radio show and played basket ball with my kids (who later found out he owned his own team), chatted to my Mum and Dad and was an absolute gent.
Maybe the best moment was when I was interviewing Ja Rule who had got off a long flight prior to coming and in and actually fell asleep mid-interview - I thought he was pondering the question, when actually he was in deep peaceful slumber.
Does your huge knowledge of music come more from your experience in radio or live DJing?
JW answer: Radio, very much. That’s how I come across new artists. Live Djing is a new world for me.
Any plans for the future, either with these shows or radio?
JW answer: The reaction to these shows has been amazing, we’d like to make this as big as possible, that way we can go bigger on the production. We are already using screens and lot of visuals with lights/lasers. It’s a real show rather than me with a box of records. I want people to have a really great time so the bigger, the glitzier - the better. My radio show is on Radio 2 between 7pm-9pm Mon-Thursday - live music sessions from new bands and artists and great tunes, old and new, one after another.
Thank you
Word: Erin Bashford