Tim Westwood

07 March 2008

LAUNCHES THURSDAY 24TH APRIL 2008

Feeling the Vibe...

Urban DJ legend Tim Westwood is the pump and the grind behind Swindon's new Thursday urban night, VIBE, which is launching at the new Liquid Swindon in April with his guest appearance. He tells us why Vibe is where the UK Flava is at.

'It takes a tremendous commitment to do something regular with R&B and urban and it really is very exciting,' protests Westwood with his usual sincerity
and determined voice. 'You already have regular house nights and student nights, right? So Vibe is going to be a big edition to the regular palate.'

One of the most established urban DJ of recent times, Westwood is a pioneer. His passion for UK hip hop ­ heard by 1.5 million listeners via his two BBC
Radio One shows - has been one of the main catalysts in the evolution of a thriving UK urban scene. And it has won him Best UK Radio DJ at the MOBO awards three times. He also has the biggest selling urban compilation in history with Westwood: The Greatest Classic Jointz Vol 1-11. Not to
mention hosting MTV UK's successful Pimp My Ride show. And the big dawg is adamant: the future of urban music is right here on the
dancefloor: 'The clubs are really the essence of everything. They find the records people are dancing to. It's where the radio station meets their audience. We respect it so much.'

Having started off as a club DJ himself at Gossip in London, Westwood understands what VIBE can achieve. 'I really appreciate the challenge. I really get connected with the club and respect the DJ who is holding it down and making it happen. The secret is definitely the local DJ. It's up to them as to whether it will succeed or fail. They have to know what records to play. To be a resident is a tremendous skill. You know, they are a local hero in a humble way. They have to make the night interesting and varied. Yeh man, residents! I hold in high regard. They are breaking records at a grass roots level. They need our support.'
There is just no stopping this dawg. 'I love working when I go out,' he says. 'I like getting on the decks and filling a club with lots of energy.' His dedication has won him respect from the likes of Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Biggie and Wu Tang Clan and Kanye West. 'I have such a good time,' he laughs. 'I enjoy interviewing the big guys: Snoop Dog I think is very genuine. And it was great having RZA talking about his new album. That interview got more than 100,000 hits on YouTube. Yeah!'

Impressive hits! Thankfully hanging out with those at the top of the pile doesn't mean Westwood forgets about the grass roots. 'I love doing The Rap
Show, Sunday 10-12am introducing acts like chipmunk. We helped him get to a place where he can go forward and put in a tremendous effort.' And there's no doubt that the UK scene is growing. 'N-dubz and Bashy are really expanding the scene. In rap you have Lil Wayne. Tracks like 'Crank Dat,
Soulja Boy, coming out which is a monster at a club.'

Luminar, he says, has it all going on. 'The Liquid vibe is very exciting and I'm proud, grateful to be involved. It will put on some incredible nights. I'm only there for one night at a time, but if I can use the momentum I create, then that's great, but it's the local DJ who needs to create the right energy and bring the right music into the place. Swindon is a tremendous town. One of those best-kept secrets, and to have the big club there like Liquid will change the identity and help, you know, shape the town. It will be a hot venue man. A tremendous size, got a real good manager and door staff. The smaller room
is great too.'

Vibe is obviously touching all the right bases with Westwood. 'It¹s a tremendous thing. It's going to make an enormous impact. I think Radio 1 should make a commitment to bringing nights there. There are lots of new young people.'

Check out www.westwoodthegreatest.com.

VIBE LAUNCHES ON THURSDAY 24TH APRIL

Admission - Free B4 11pm/£4 After
All Drinks £2 All Night.