DJ Gary Davies

Woo Gary Davies! The 80s DJ is one of many Radio 2 DJs to be spinning the decks at next week’s BBC Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford.

The DJs will be joining top acts over the weekend including headliners Bryan Adams and Def Leppard, as well as Ronan Keating, The Stereophonics, Marti Pellow, Kid Creole and David Gray, among others.

Radio 2 in the Park has been running since 2011 and is growing bigger in popularity year on year. Once only held in Hyde Park, the event now moves around the country each year, reaching even more audiences across the UK.

Gary, who has the country’s biggest 80s radio show on BBC Radio 2 (Sound of the 80s), spoke to us about his love for the event and how much he was looking forward to performing with his Radio 2 colleagues.

Are you looking forward to the weekend?
I can’t wait. It has been going for a few years but typically in the past, it has been done in London, in Hyde Park, which was great. But since we’ve taken it outside of London, it’s just gone up a notch. It’s so fantastic to get out into different areas where people are listening to Radio 2 and meet the crowd, and the energy when we did Leicester and Preston, the energy there was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before, it really is very very special.

Which performers are you looking forward to seeing most this weekend?
I love Bryan Adams. I interviewed him many, many times, in the past when whe was starting to become big here, so I’m really looking forward to seeing him. Def Leppard, I love, David Gray is phenomenal and Kid Creole and the Coconuts, wow! I’ll let you into a secret, back in the 80s, I was just in love with the Coconuts, didn’t care about Kid Creole but I loved the Coconuts! I saw them many times, and I think the last time I saw them live was actually in Marbella in the old ballroom near Puerto Banus, and it was so special to see them in that situation. And I don’t think I’ve seen them live since so I can’t wait to see them again.

When are you performing at the weekend?
I’m doing two sets on Sunday. If you’re an 80s fan, like we are, Sunday is the day to be there. I’m doing the DJ tent. I’ve decided this year, because we’ve just launched another four special Dance Sounds of the 80s shows which came out in August (which you are able to listen to on BBC Sounds), I thought I would do a Dance Sounds of the 80s DJ set in the DJ tent on the Sunday. That will be part one, and then I’m on the main stage warming the crowd for an hour before Def Leppard come on, so I’m going to do more of the big anthemic Sounds of the 80s. I’m working on my playlist right now, I’m so excited going through songs that I haven’t played in a long time, which I’m going to include in my playlist. There will be some nice surprises in there, we ‘re going to have a lot of fun.

How has DJ’ing changed through the years. Is it different?
No. Obviously the idea is to go out and entertain the crowd and it’s all about playing the right song at the right time and that has never changed. Technology has changed a lot. Back in the 80s I’d be breaking my back carrying 12 inch singles, and this and that. It’s a lot easier with my little USB stick and I’ve got everything on there.

Are you looking forward to the weekend?
I’d pretty much moved out of radio and had no intention of going back, but a series of happy coincidences led me back and I’m just delighted to be back at Radio 2. It feels to me like Radio 1 did back in the 80s, it’s the same atmosphere, same vibe and you know, one of the things that I love about Radio 2 in the Park is that we actually get together with all the DJs on the station because we don’t see each other. It’s just great that we’re all there. It’s like being on a school outing, when you used to go away on your school trip with all your classmates. Well, they’re all my classmates and they’re all going to be there. The bars will be very busy in the hotel, Saturday and Sunday night.

Radio 2 in the Park is in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, 5th-7th September. Tickets and info: www.bbc.co.uk/radio2inthepark