An Exclusive Interview with DJ Joshua Roberts
From Bedroom DJ to Global Star
Joshua Roberts always stood out from the crowd. At just four years old, while most children were playing with toy cars, Joshua was spinning records on his very first turntable—a gift that sparked his lifelong passion for music. By his early teens, he had already started collecting vinyl and playing at house parties. “I wasn’t interested in toys,” Joshua admits. “Music was always my thing.”
By 17, he was DJing professionally, and from those humble beginnings, Joshua has gone on to perform on some of the world’s biggest stages. From iconic destinations like Ibiza to high-profile events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and festivals like Sundown and Mint, Joshua has carved out an impressive career that spans the globe.
The Turning Point: A Radio 1 Competition
For every successful artist, there’s a pivotal moment that propels them forward. For Joshua, it was winning a prestigious Radio 1 DJ competition at the age of 16. Looking back, he remembers the moment fondly. “My friend Matt convinced me to enter, even though I didn’t think I stood a chance,” he says. Despite his reluctance, Joshua submitted a demo and was thrilled to find out he’d made it to the first heat in Windsor.
Hearing the roar of the crowd during his first live performance was a transformative experience. “It was addictive,” he recalls. “I knew from that moment this was what I wanted to do.” Winning the competition not only cemented his love for live performances but also opened doors that would set the foundation for his career.
The Rise of a Unique DJ Style
Joshua isn’t just a DJ—he’s a performer who constantly pushes creative boundaries. One of his most distinctive features is his use of live drums during his sets, a skill he stumbled upon when a friend gifted him an old drum kit. “We customised it to fit my DJ setup, and it just clicked,” he explains.
His live performances are now a blend of high-energy mixes, surprising edits, and drum accompaniments that elevate the crowd’s experience. “I love taking the audience on a journey,” he says. “Certain tracks just come alive with live drums, and it’s amazing to see the reaction.”
Career Highlights and Unforgettable Moments
Having performed all over the world, Joshua has countless memories to choose from, but a few stand out. Playing at the Ministry of Sound in Egypt remains one of his favourites. During a sunrise set, he played Tiesto’s “In the Dark,” and as the vocal kicked in, the sun broke through the horizon, creating a magical moment. “It’s something I’ll never forget,” he says. “There was a connection between the crowd, the music, and the environment that felt otherworldly.”
Other career highlights include boat parties in Ibiza, festival performances, and DJing at F1 events like the Monaco Grand Prix. “Each gig has its own unique energy,” he reflects. “Anywhere the crowd is expecting an experience, that’s where I thrive.”
Navigating the Highs and Lows of the DJ Lifestyle
The life of a DJ may seem glamorous, but it comes with its challenges. For Joshua, burnout became a serious issue after years of playing six nights a week while managing a radio station. “I loved DJing so much that I didn’t realise how much I was overworking myself,” he admits.
These days, Joshua has found a better balance. “I’ve learned how to switch off and just be a normal guy,” he says. His downtime now includes playing football (he’s a keen goalkeeper), racket sports, visiting art galleries, and enjoying quiet moments on the beach with a glass of wine.
Giving Back and Inspiring the Next Generation
Joshua’s passion for music extends beyond performing—he’s also committed to nurturing the next generation of talent. As Head of Programming at Select Radio, he’s dedicated to curating the station’s sound and mentoring young artists. “It’s about staying ahead of the competition and creating a platform that inspires others,” he explains.
During lockdown, he mentored a young musician named Rufus George, helping him overcome challenges and guiding him toward a career in music. “Seeing someone grow and succeed because of your guidance is incredibly rewarding,” he says.
Looking Ahead
As he reflects on his career, Joshua is focused on maintaining a sustainable pace while continuing to inspire others. “I don’t plan to go as heavy on the gig schedule, but I want to keep performing globally,” he says. He also hints at a return to music production when the time feels right.
Above all, Joshua’s vision is to create moments that matter—both on stage and off. “As Busta Brooker inspired me, I want to inspire others,” he says. “Music has the power to connect people, and that’s something I’ll always strive to be a part of.”
Full Interview Below with Joshua Roberts
Hey Joshua, thanks for your time. Can we start at the beginning. How old were you when you started to show an interest in DJing?
You’re most welcome guys, thank you for making time for me too! I got my first turntable when I was 4 years old and started collecting vinyl shortly after. My parents were trying as many things as possible to try and persuade me to have a normal gift but I just wasn’t interested in toy cars or action figures. I have a picture of me on my 4th birthday on my Instagram somewhere looking delighted next to the deck! Someone did point out recently that I had girls pyjamas on though, I guess my parents must have given me my sister’s hand-me-downs and never thought the pic would see the light of day! Hopefully, it started a trend! I began to play at house parties around 14 and then professionally from 17 onwards.
Growing up as a youngster listening to dance music, who inspired you?
There was all sorts of inspiration back then, I remember being given a Now Dance tape with likes of Robin S and Haddaway on it, this was on repeat in the house! I listened a lot to Radio 1 and Kiss and some of the pirates too but there was one DJ on a station called Vibe FM and he was called Busta Brooker. I would stay up late at night just to hear the latest records that no one else had heard yet, he would play House, Trance, Techno and even some Hip-Hop and Motown too. I looked him up a few years ago and he’d had a few run-ins with the law sadly, none of his former team would disclose his details either. If I’m ever able to track him down I would like to say the biggest thank you, without him, I doubt I would be into music in the same way, certainly not as a career.
Can you talk to us about the Radio 1 competition you won – was this a pivotal moment in your career?
Yes, absolutely! I always forget about this, but someone reminded me the other day that it’s been 20 years now (I’m still only 28, honest!). I was working in a corner shop at 16 and one of my best friends Matt Howes used to come in, chat, and flirt with girls. One day, the radio happened to be on and Dave Pearce announced they were doing a nationwide competition for young DJs. Matt was like ‘you have to enter’ and I point blankly refused. As the weeks went on he started hounding me, even calling me at weird times to remind me, he was adamant I would win. In the end, I gave in to the month-long harassment and put together an ok (not great but ok) demo and didn’t hear anything back. 2 days before the first heat I got a letter saying I had been accepted, I remember the first heat was in Windsor and looking up and hearing the roar of the crowd for the first time. It was addictive and I knew it was something I wanted to do. The next heats were amazing and the final was just on another level! I’m incredibly grateful to Radio 1 and UKCC for giving me that chance and for the friends that believed I could do it!
DJ Joshua Roberts | Exclusive Interview
Since then you’ve gone on to perform across the globe! Are there any particular places you most enjoyed DJing at and why?
Ibiza is always good, Egypt was great when I used to play there, the likes of Radio 1 Big Weekend, Mint Festival, Sundown, and Wakestock will stand out as some of the best memories, I’ve had many good nights behind the decks in London and the home town has its moments sometimes too! I think anywhere where the crowd are expecting an experience is usually good to work with.
Didn’t you also DJ for an F1 race? You really have been to some fascinating spots. Boat parties too! What fun memories spring to mind when thinking back about all the cool sets you’ve done?
I had to think about this as I’ve forgotten about so many of these gigs! I did burnout for a while which was bad so some of it is a blur, I played at the Monaco Grand Prix once and at Bahrain’s F1 too (I think!). Boat parties in Ibiza used to be wild, everything you can imagine and more! One of my favourite moments was when I played a Ministry Of Sound Sunrise set in Egypt, I dropped the Dirty South remix of Tiesto – In The Dark and as the vocal kicked in, the sun broke through to the amazement of the crowd, there was something about that moment I can’t describe, I felt truly connected to the universe through the crowd, the music, and the place, I will never forget that.
Talk to us please, about your original setup and performances because you also play the live drums! Can you describe your sets? What’s a party like with Joshua Roberts headlining?
Well, the drum setup was something I stumbled upon because my studio partner and good friend Amaka was having a clear-out, he gave me one month to do something with the kit or it would end up in a skip! On the last day, my friend Beepers came over and we customised it so it would fit as part of a DJ setup. I remember applying for a resident job at a cool spot in Notting Hill shortly after and all the others applying were actual massive names! The boss told me if you can play the drums whilst DJing, I had got the residency, I gave it a go and it hopefully sounded ok, they went for it which was a relief! Set-wise, it depends where I’m playing, but for clubs/festivals I try and make it a journey and an experience, certain tracks work well with certain drums. I also love surprising the crowd with mixes or edits they are not expecting, too! Lots of energy and lots of fun!
What are your top 3 tunes you’re playing at the moment?
- Unfazed – A Gira
- Atrip – Rainbow
- Sebjak, Samm (BE) – Holding You
How is your lifestyle? Being a DJ must mean lots of travel and late nights. So what is your lifestyle like and when you’re not “working” how do you wind down?
This has changed over the last few years I would say, I get more time to relax in the week now. I remember at one point I was playing 6 nights a week as well as running a radio station and it burnt me out in a really bad way. I loved DJing that much at that point plus the money, afterparties, and lifestyle can be so addictive.
I’m much better at switching off now and just becoming a normal bloke, I play lots of football now (keen goalie!), racket sports, catching up with friends and loved ones, going to art galleries, gym, a glass of wine either at home or on the beach is always a favourite too!
You’re also Head Of Programming at Select! How did you land the job and what does it involve?
There was a time I really fell out of love with DJing, I think watching the cringey sh*t people were doing on Instagram and the way it took over for a while (marketing over talent a lot of the time!) put me off a lot, so I wanted to do something else in the industry as well. When I took over the programming at Select I always knew with the right work ethic and team we could be a mainstay in the industry, I still love this job and I’m very proud of how we sound now. A lot of it involves just talking and engaging with the team, monitoring what content we put out and always trying to stay one step ahead of the competition. We’re always trying to be the best station out there.
Please tell us your top tip for someone looking to break through in the music entertainment world?
Do something that isn’t being done or approach from an angle that’s either different or that there’s a demand for. When you look at big names like Fred Again, he made himself an integral part of production for other artists, once he became known and loved in the industry, it was much easier for him to become an artist in his own right (his live shows also happen to be amazing!).
What is your vision for your career in the future?
I plan not to go quite as heavy on the gig schedule but still to be doing this across the world, the radio show is really starting to come into its own again. As Busta inspired me I want to inspire others too, I mentored a young lad called Rufus George in lockdown who had challenges and he’s gone on to study music tech at uni so it would be nice to do some more wholesome things like that!
I will probably start making music again too when I feel super inspired to do so, more than anything at the moment I want to make more time for friends and family.
Finally, can we end this interview by you telling us some good news that has happened in your life lately?
Lots of goodness but too early to reveal everything yet! However, the summer is almost booked up (but not too booked up!) and I think the group of people I have around me now are completely the right people.
Thank you for having me 🙂