Fatboy Slim: ‘I’ve played Glastonbury 100 times and never been paid’

Fatboy Slim is celebrating 30 years of his debut album Better Living Through Chemistry (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) ‘It’s amazing when you look back, isn’t it? It’s beautiful that we’re all still here.’ Norman Cook, AKA Fatboy Slim, is talking to Metro ahead of the most bonkers gig of his career – at London’s Royal Society of Chemistry. Nestled away from the capital’s rush hour at the majestic Burlington House, we’re questionably both wearing lab coats – but for a reason. The legendary DJ, 63, celebrated 30 years of his debut album, Better Living Through Chemistry, with a spectacular one-night-only event, transforming the building into an intimate dancefloor for a night of music, chemistry, and nostalgia. He’s now the second person to ever perform at the Grade II venue. Who was the first? Composer George Frideric Handel, who played there in the 18th century. ‘It was the first time I’d properly listened back to the album in ages. The years just roll by at the moment,’ Norman, or Dr. Cook as he’s known on the night, tells us. The performance marked only the second ever show at the venue since Handel performed there in the 18th century (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) ‘I don’t often look back in in my life career. But it’s always very interesting when you do, because you just think, God, what a different world it was and what a different person I was.’ A lot has changed since 1996. Norman now has a Grammy Award, nine MTV Video Music Awards, two Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello under his belt. But the music industry has also dramatically changed since then. More than half of the UK’s grassroots venues failed to make a profit last year, according to the annual report of the sector charity Music Venue Trust. London alone has lost 35% of its vital spaces since 2007. ‘This is how I cut my teeth, where I learned my chops, and so I’ve got a fondness for them,’ Norman says. ‘They’re part of the English music industry; they are the lifeblood. They are the feeder of our industry, and they’re where everybody who starts out learns their craft. If you take that away, it’s terrible. Small venues are the roots. And if you take away the roots, nothing else grows.’ ‘Small venues are the roots. And if you take away the roots, nothing else grows,’ Norman says (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) Norman is among several people, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, to back Music Venue Properties (MVP), an organisation which acquires live venue freeholds to protect their futures. So far, the project has secured 10 sites across the UK; from The Pipeline in Brighton, to The Croft in Bristol. ‘Small venues are at danger from their unscrupulous landlords. So instead, we become their landlord. The portfolio still gets the income, but they know we won’t throw them out or raise the rent. I’ve heavily invested in that,’ he says. ‘Andy Burnham has already done some stuff, and we’ve got the Music Venue Trust, which has good links to the politicians. If it comes from the top, it helps. There’s only so much bucket shaking you can do.’ Norman still has faith in UK festivals, which he says have become embedded in his calendar. So much so that he’s played 100 Glastonbury sets and has a loyal relationship with the Eavis family which he says ‘hasn’t been tarnished by money’. ‘I’ve never been paid to play there,’ he tells us. Norman has played Glastonbury 100 times (Picture: Mick Hutson/Redferns) ‘But at the same time, I’ve never paid to go there. Emily andMichael give me free tickets and allow me to do little quiet gigs in strange places. ‘I’ve played there so many times even when I’m not officially on the bill; some years I’m there in an official capacity and sometimes I’m just there as a sightseer. ‘For me, Glastonbury is the most fun, forward-thinking, beautiful human experience of alternative culture.’ As for who he wants to take the coveted spot of 2027 headliner? ‘It’s got to be Fred Again. We need to get him on that Pyramid Stage.’ The 30th anniversary reissue of Better Living Through Chemistry is available now. Arrow MORE: Coleen Rooney: ‘I’ve told Wayne to take some responsibility’ Arrow MORE: Peep Show star Matt King reveals frustrating effect of recent stroke Arrow MORE: Sense and Sensibility’s Frank Dillane ‘nervous about hatred’ for controversial character Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.