What are you most looking forward to about playing in Australia?
“Revolver Upstairs! For me its one of the best clubs in the world and always a highlight of Australia and my whole year to be honest!”
– Patrick Topping
[Rewind 2016]
It’s no exaggeration to say that Patrick Topping is one of the biggest tech house DJ’s on the planet. His tracks are consistently charting whenever it’s released, and his touring schedule is constantly filled with bookings. At the time of this interview Topping had only been on the scene for 3 years, in this space of time, he went from being a relatively unknown producer to his tracks being championed heavily by Pete Tong and Annie Mac on their legendary BBC radio 1 shows, performing live on Radio 1 as part of their 20th Anniversary in Ibiza show, and DJing b2b with Jamie Jones to millions of radio listeners and viewers on the Red Button TV.
In 2019 he launched Trick, a label and event brand, set up to provide a platform for his own music and to act as an incubator for up-and-coming artists, as well as a home for established acts. Trick is now over 30 releases deep, with 11 of those being the artists’ debut release with a record label. The label has also been graced by more established artists, Will Clarke, Justin Jay and Gerd Janson among them.
The Trick events are characterised by a focus on bespoke production, with careful consideration given to the visual presentation, as well as impeccable curation of some of the biggest and most cutting-edge names in the scene, from Floorplan, Ellen Allien, Luciano to Fjaak, alongside a host of label acts and residents. Whilst partnering with premiere promoters in key cities, such as Terminal V in Edinburgh and Thick As Thieves in Melbourne. The launch tour of five shows, starting with his hometown of Newcastle and The Warehouse project Manchester, Amsterdam ADE, Derry and London, was attended by over 18,500 people.
With his experience as a member of the Hot Creations crew, Patrick has been steadily cultivating a community around Trick. From the lesser-known artists he has signed and championed, to the regulars at his parties, there’s an innate desire to use his position to bring people together and give back to the culture he loves so much. Just as he was mentored by Jamie Jones, Patrick is now committed to passing on his knowledge and experience to younger artists. He’s formed a close bond with Elliot Adamson for instance, releasing some of his music and bringing him in to help with A&R. As well as seeing potential in the likes of Ewan McVicar and Ammara and welcoming them into the Trick family as residents and regulars on the label.
Still driven by the same pure, concentrated energy that inspired him as a raver, Patrick Topping is relishing the opportunity to live out his dreams while also keeping his feet firmly on the ground. A hard working, humble and visionary artist, he is bound to continue making an invaluable contribution to club culture; whether he’s on the decks, in the studio or through the new generation of young acts he’s bringing up with him…
You’ve played B2B with a huge number of high profile DJ’s across the globe including Pete Tong, Jamie Jones and Skream, what do you like about playing B2B and is there anyone on your wish list to play with?
You can learn so much through a b2b because you have to adapt to the other DJs style, so it opens up your own music collection to fit with theirs, so I end up trying out tracks I own but haven’t played out before. Also back to backs have taught me new techniques of mixing and ways of programming sets, by learning off who I’m playing with. They can also be really fun, when it clicks, it brings a new dynamic which can’t be replicated by playing on your own. I’d love to go b2b with Sven Vath! But I’d be a bit nervous.
This summer you completed your third residency at Ibiza’s DC10 on top of a number of bookings around the Island including the now closed down Space nightclub, how do you think the absence of Space will affect the scene Ibiza?
It’s obviously such a huge loss for the island, but I’m really intrigued and excited to see what happens with the Space building now it’s going to turn into a new club. Space can never be replicated, but hopefully this new venue can add something interesting to the island.
In your career so far, has there been a gig that has stood out as one you will always remember? If so, what was it and why?
There are so many! It’s hard to choose, so I’ll just have to mention a few. Well any one of the times playing at DC10, as that’s always special, as is Ibiza. B2b with Jamie Jones on Radio 1 & TV red button live from Ushuaia was amazing! There’s so many amazing festivals, one which does come to mind is Parklife this summer in Manchester, me and Richy Ahmed playing b2b to the biggest crowd I’ve ever played to, I heard 10,000 people and also 25,000 off someone else, either way it was unreal! Lost beach club in Ecuador also stands out, as does the 3 times I’ve played at Revolver in Melbourne. Last time I played there was the longest set I’ve ever done, 8 and half hours. But also NYD at the start of this year I played all night long at Mint Club in Leeds, that was 8 hour too and about 20 of mates came and it was such an intense atmosphere all night, loved it.
During tours, your visits to different countries are often brief, which city have you visited briefly that you would like to visit again for a holiday?
I would’ve liked to spent a bit more time in St Martin, in the Caribbean, that was so lush from what I saw when I was over to play SXM Festival last March.
As we’ve discussed, you have played all over the world. Is there a venue or festival that you is on the top of your bucket list to play at that you are yet to play?
Timewarp and Panorama bar are definitely top of the list! There was another festival in America which was equal top, but I’ve just been booked for it and can’t say anything just yet, but really can’t wait! 😀
You played the main stage at Movement in Detroit last year; did playing in the home of techno have any influence on the musicality of your productions or the music you played at this gig?
I nearly always play a few techno tunes in my sets, but to be honest on that occasion I kept mainly more housey as I was on quite early. That was such a buzz though and the festival is easily one of the best in the world.
This tour will be your fourth time in Australia, how does playing Australia compare to back in England?
The crowds can be quite similar in Sydney and Melbourne especially. The UK I think has maybe the strongest audience for this music and one of the best crowds to play too. Australia can also be very good and there also tends to be quite a few UK faces in the crowd. But yeah Australian crowds are really fun to play to, they are knowledgeable and up for a party!
Finally, what are you most looking forward to about playing in Australia?
It’s got to be Revolver Upstairs! For me its one of the best clubs in the world and always a highlight of Australia and my whole year to be honest! The venue is really cool, but it’s the crowd that make it, they go for hours and seem to enjoy a variation of styles, I usually play for as long as I can, because I know its one of a few chances where I really get to play so many tracks and so many styles. This time I’m going to ask to start even earlier because it finishes at 8 am and that’s never long enough haha.
Tour Dates 2016
Friday 18th November: Our House, Launceston
Saturday 19th November: Strawberry Fields Festival, Victoria
Sunday 20th November: Deep Valley @ Araluen Botanical Park, Perth
Friday 25th November: Bohemian Beat Freaks Festival, Byron Bay
Saturday 26th November: Greenwood Hotel, Sydney
Sunday 27th November: Summer Series @ Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne
Interview by Emily Williams
Patrick Topping Gigs
Patrick Topping Merch
Patrick Topping Insta
Patrick Topping Bookings
MGMT: sophie@frameartists.co.uk // gwen@frameartists.co.uk