The Festival Experience with... Mar-T

Image: Mar-T (credit)

Ibiza favourite Mar-T is undeniably one of the most well respected names to hold an Amnesia residency, with his White Isle love in beginning in the late 1990's. The Amnesia Underground disc series' he was part of were many adored, favouring a more gritty, house sound in response to the more funky elements that the genre had been embodying. 

As well as being a slick selector, creating a hedonistic aurora at whichever dancefloor he visits, the Barcelona born DJ has had remixes released via Get Physical and Madtech, as well as hooking up with Italian talent Luca Donzelli for an EP release via Davide Squillace's This and That label.

As if this wasn't enough, Mar-T founded house and techno label Wow! in 2006, using his A & R talents to deliver fresh, contemporary releases from the likes of Valentino Kanyazi, Marco Nastic and Paco Osuna. The label also looks to bring a Spanish house style to cities around the world with heaps of their own parties creating a friendly vibe, whilst being soundtracked by some of the world's best DJs.

This summer, Mar-T will deliver explosive sets at two of the biggest dance music festivals in the UK, coming to Creamfields and South West 4, performing b2b with Cuartero at the former, while the latter will see Amnesia Ibiza host a stage that features Marco Carola, Sven Vath, Loco Dice and more.

Ahead of these dates, we spoke to the Spaniard about festival season and more.

​Hi Mar-T, how are you?

I’m good thanks! Currently working hard on some new productions and events in Ibiza, where I’m currently based. 

How has this year been for you so far, is everything going as planned?

Yes, it has been a great year, I’ve had several releases and remixes out on great labels such as Saved, Form, Lost Records and Vatos Locos. I also just signed with Steve Lawler for Viva Limited and Ivav Records. I also have Creamfields and South West Four and my residency at HYTE (Amnesia), plus many other gigs which have also been great. 

What does a normal festival season usually hold for you, lots of flying around the world I would imagine?

During the summer season I’m based in Ibiza and I don't fly out of Europe so my flights are reduced, at least the long flights! Honestly I don't have too much of a crazy agenda, I still have a reasonable amount of gigs but not too much!

What has been your favourite festival set so far this summer?

So far I’ve only played at Ostend Beach Festival, it was quite small so I’m definitely looking forward for the bigger ones to come! 

Talk to me about your involvement with this year’s SW4 festival.

I’m representing and organising the Amnesia stage. This includes taking care of the production side of the event, ensuring it reflects the values and ethos of the brand. 

​Why have you chosen the acts you’ve gone for to play the Amnesia tent?

The line up is amazing!!! There are not many times you see so many big names playing on the same stage. Many of them are residents at Amnesia, which I think helps to reflect what Amnesia is all about.  

You are also playing Creamfields, how aware of its legacy are you?

Creamfields and Cream have also been a very important part of Amnesia, both brands grew up together in many ways so I’m totally aware of the amazing legacy of Creamfields. I feel very honoured to play there! 

What was your first ever festival as a music fan? Who did you see?

My first festival was Sonar in Barcelona. It was really small, maybe there was 4000 people there maximum... but look what it is now, probably one of the most important festivals in the world, at least for electronic music.  

What is the most memorable moment you have experienced backstage at a festival?

It was some years ago at Creamfields, I played in the VIP arena and afterwards I ran to the backstage of the main stage to see Gorillaz perform for the first time. I was stood behind the stage with two friends, I guess a bit too near to the stage which I didn’t realise until I had a guy running up to me just before the show started asking me if I could move backwards… it turned out it was Damon Albarn hahaha! We then watched this amazing show from a perspective where we could see the cartoons and at the same time the band.

Who would make up your dream line up of DJs, dead or alive?

I think the one at SW4 this year is basically what it would be...

Find Creamfields tickets and SW4 tickets below

Creamfields 2017

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SW4 2017

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