(DJ)
Arguably the progenitor of EDM music and culture, Oakenfold—with more than three hundred hikers—made the thirty-seven-mile hike through Nepal’s remote villages and the Himalayan Mountains for a live concert, spinning a set at the base camp of Mount Everest.
Mt. Everest was definitely the craziest gig I’ve ever done. We had been working on it for a couple of years. It was really difficult to pull off because there were so many moving parts. We needed permission to do it. The time of year, with respect to the climbers, was crucial. Of the four charities I chose to do it for, two were local charities benefitting Nepalese children in the Himalayas because of the earthquake. The other two charities were London-based, representing youth and music. I didn’t really want to talk about the project until proof of concept, because I’ve never hiked in my life. I’ve never slept in a tent. I’m a city boy. Preparing was hard for me. I trained for five months, hiking and working out. I had to learn breathing techniques because you’re so high up. I asked how the equipment would hold up at that altitude, and nobody had any idea because it had never been done before. At night, it was sixteen below. It came together, and God willing, we pulled it off. I’ve only been back a few days, and I’m still exhausted. I’m physically and mentally drained.
I’ve never been a smoker. I drink, but I stopped drinking and got into a solid routine. I literally had never hiked before, so I had to knuckle down and focus. We raised a lot of money for the charities, and the Sherpas are incredible people. You talk about hard work. I had a backpack, but these guys were carrying equipment and everyone’s bags, packs, tents, and food. They’re born on these hills, and they’re really nice, good people. It was a pleasure to work with them. After the earthquake, tourism severely dropped. Hopefully I proved that it’s safe to go back up, and hopefully people will go on the trek of their lives. It really is an amazing adventure, and I’m so happy that I did it. If I can do it, I honestly think anyone can do it, if they have the will and determination. It will change your life in so many good, positive ways. Why shouldn’t we all experience something like that?
I never thought that I’d be talking about that week, thirty years on, and the birth of electronic music as it’s known today. We came back from Ibiza and started the whole thing. I was just a young kid inspired by the music I heard and inspired by the environment. I didn’t want to leave it in one place. I wanted to continue to have those wonderful moments and feelings. That’s really what it was all about. The generation of today is still doing it. They’re still listening to the DJ, feeling the music and jumping up and down. It’s the same thing as when we started it. The scene has grown up though. Electronic music has grown into a billion-dollar industry. We’ve done all the hard work, and we’re here to stay. Look at the work of some of my colleagues who have big, commercial pop hits, like Calvin Harris, Diplo, Skrillex, and Avicii. They really know how to make great music, share it with people, and have become very successful.
However, I don’t think art is corrupted by money. When I go into the studio, the canvas is blank. I want to come up with a creative piece of music. We make something from scratch. Let’s say we make a great song and are excited about it. You want to share that song with the world. If the majority of people like it and it becomes commercial, then it becomes a hit. What’s wrong with that? Do you want to go into the studio with me, and we’re the only two people in the world to hear it? Do you not want to go back to your friends and family and say, “Check this out. Listen to what I did with Paul”? That’s what music is all about! Music gives you a great feeling, and it’s there to share. If you can put a smile on someone’s face with a piece of music, then so be it. When I was on Mt. Everest and played music, there were people from all over the world in front of me. They were holding up their flags and coming up to me for photos. It was only about 300 people up there, but it was a special moment. I don’t want to make music that I’m going to be the only fucking person listening to it. I want to share things with people and make them happy. That’s what being an artist is all about.