Melvin Benn on 'We Love... Homelands'

United Kingdom | | 06 March 2003

The managing director of Mean Fiddler, kings of the UK festival scene, reveals the secrets that make Homelands such a special, and in many ways, untouchable music festival.

What goes into the planning of the festival?
Just time, patience, a wee bit of experience and a love of the event.

Why have you chosen not to brand each arena?
Because time moves on and we have too. Where appropriate we will but Dance music is not about 'the club names' the way it used to be. It is about the core of the music policy and the dj's going into the mix of the genres and we are representing that now.

Where will you be at midnight on May 24th? [Homelands day]
Enjoying a veggieburger somewhere in the arena. It will be my first bite of the day probably.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
To do dance festivals with Darren Hughes.

What is your ambition for Homelands?
That it is respected and it entertains.

What keeps you awake at night?
That Ryan Giggs miss against Arsenal last week.

Who's on your speed dial?
I'm still in the last century. We go slowly.

Give three reasons why dance music will never die...
Evolution, Evolution, Evolution.

Which Homelands act will you are you most looking forward to seeing?
The one we cannot announce yet as well as Groove Armada.