Fatboy Slim on the verge of tears as he hails special Scouse trait

Fatboy Slim was close to tears as he shared a moment that will stick with him forever. The legendary DJ, who's real name is Norman Quentin Cook, chatted to the ECHO shortly before he was due to take to the Steel Yard stage at Creamfields on Sunday, August 25.

In the 80s, the musician was the bassist for the Hull-based indie rock band the Housemartins, who achieved a UK number-one single with 'Caravan of Love'. After the Housemartins split up, he formed the electronic band Beats International in Brighton, who produced the number-one single 'Dub Be Good to Me. He then played in Freak Power, Pizzaman, and the Mighty Dub Katz with moderate success.

It was then in 1996, that Norman adopted the name Fatboy Slim and became a household name with hits such as Praise You and Right Here, Right Now. The dance and electronic DJ spoke to the ECHO on what makes Creamfields special, his favourite memories of the festival and what separates a Liverpool audience to other UK crowds.

Describing Creamfields, Fatboy Slim said "it's beautiful" and added: "Everyone is here and it's a very special festival. I played the very first one and I'm still coming back. It's one of those ones that everyone comes back. Everyone wants to be here.

"It's the epicentre of dance music for one weekend. It's very important to me. At my age, I'm just glad to still be coming back."

The DJ also described his favourite Creamfields memory which happened more than 20 years ago. He said it was the first time the Gorillaz had ever played live and to hide from the audience they performed behind a screen.

He said: "Because I'd sneaked around the back of the screen to see him, I just sat on the scaffolding on my own. I was the only person in the world who actually got to see them play live. That's my favourite memory. In the 20 years since I've never topped that memory."

When it comes to Scousers, Fatboy Slim said they have some special qualities and the city is in the "cutting edge of the music scene". He added playing on the last night of Creamfields is always special.

Speaking to the ECHO, he said: "Scousers aren't shy, are they? Let's face it. They're not ones to beat about the bush and they're not ones to shrink away. [Creamfields] is great because I generally tend to finish the Sunday night.

"Lots of people have been here since Thursday and they've been through quite a lot. Especially with the weather this weekend, so it's whatever they've got left comes out.

"Whatever inhibitions they turned up with on Thursday, they're out. So there's such a feeling of love and stupidity in the last hour of the festival and that's quite special for me. It gets quite emotional. I've had quite a weekend as well so I'll be close to tears."

He added: "It's up there with the most important cities to play. It's quite a discerning crowd and it's in the cutting edge of the dance music scene. Like I said, Scousers are such an easy crowd to play to. If you've got them on your side, they will go with you.

"London can be a bit snooty. It's educated and enlightened but still entertaining.

"I prefer the ones when I'm in the tent rather than the main stage. A good sweaty tent here is one of the nicest places in the world."

On his staying power, Fatboy Slim said he believes the key is enjoying doing what he does and that "it never feels like a job". He added how he evaluated the importance of what he does during lockdown when he couldn't perform.

He told the ECHO: "I evaluated how much what I do is - and it's quite a lot. Without it, I was just a dad sitting home with his kids. There's something very special that happens.

"It's not just wandering around the world and massaging your ego. I have a relationship with the people in the crowd. And every night it hits different, and every night you make new friends and you share something together.

"Something special happens, especially on a good night. You just feel like 'I've connected with my fellow human beings' and that's what I love about it. To share music that I love and share that connection with people who are losing their s**t."