Homelands 2003: Pete Tong Interview

How does Homelands compare to all the other UK festivals?

As it still runs on the original Creamfields site - this festival will always represent to me, the first time a dance festival was run by people 100% committed to the scene... it's also the first of the year - the official start to the festival season.

Tell us about Radio 1's involvement at Homelands this year?

The sound stage will be on site again - a phenomenal piece of kit compared to the Radio 1 roadshows of the 1980's! We will also be doing stuff with the essential mix and radio 1 online.

You usually record your own essential mix live at Homelands, will you be doing the same this year?

Not my set this year - Jeff Mills!

What's been your favourite Homelands moment?

When the sun shines.

And your worst Homelands moment?

The year of the mud - we all got stuck!

Will you be sticking around and making a day of it at Homelands?

Once I arrive yes.

Who should we look out for this year?

Keep an open mind - go see someone you don't know.

Tell us about Radio 1's plans for the rest of the summer...

Radio 1 will be covering Glastonbury, Love Parade, Creamfields and Reading to name a few!  My show will come live from Ibiza every week (almost) this summer - and the Radio 1 weekend runs 8/9/10 August with the Essential Selection live from Punta Es Moli and the Essential Mix live from Eden. There is a bunch of other stuff as well like my appearance on the Space Terrace on the Sunday pm.

What's your hot tip for 2003?

Be happy.

Tell us about your own personal Ibiza season and your Pacha residency...

A great thrill to be invited to host possibly the most prestigious residency in the world - Friday nights at Pacha - a quality experience is what we aim to give the audience; from the art work to the décor and the music... it's the clubs 30th birthday too, so every Friday will be a birthday party!