To help Digital DJ Tips celebrate its 15th birthday, we have a special series of podcasts bringing in friends of the school to talk about DJing past and present.
In this episode, Laidback Luke joins us to talk about his 30-year career and how he's stayed at the forefront of DJ technology throughout this time, championing new features and systems when no-one else believed in them and always looking for ways to push the culture forward. He talks about more than gear, though, covering music, mental health, how the scene has changed, and what the future holds.
If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:14 Episode overview
02:15 - Luke's artistic reinvention & Dimmak Records
04:40 - "Dance music hit age 7 and never grew up"
06:19 - Then vs now: from dancing crowds to phones
07:36 - Why this generation feels so alone
08:33 - DJ gear evolution: producer to tech pioneer
12:48 - Can a CDJ-4000 keep up with AI?
15:16 - Most pro DJs want familiarity, not innovation
19:08 - The truth about DJing on vinyl
22:16 - Mentoring legends: Avicii, Afrojack & changing times
26:19 - Mental health & escaping hustle culture
29:04 - "Lockdown made me appreciate touring again"
30:51 - What drugs & phones did to dancefloors
35:32 - Teaching evolution: from forums to structured courses
38:37 - The DJing fundamentals that never change
45:55 - Luke's one piece of timeless advice...