Fatboy Slim to play sold-out grassroots gig

Superstar DJ Fatboy Slim is to play an intimate gig in Brighton on Sunday, tickets for which sold out in just 15 minutes.

The musician and producer, who lives in Hove, will perform at The Pipeline as part of Everywhere At Once, a nationwide grassroots music festival taking place across the weekend.

The 62-year-old, whose real name is Norman Cook, described such community-based venues as where "it all started" for him, adding that he was "more than happy" to take part.

Other artists taking part in the festival around the UK include Tinie Tempah, Rizzle Kicks, Glenn Tilbrook, The Divine Comedy and Toddla T.

Cook said: "I've been lucky enough to play huge stages all over the world, but grassroots venues are where it all started for me and where music scenes really begin.

"It's where artists learn their craft, where communities form, and where people come together purely for the love of it.

"These spaces are vital for culture and for local people, so if there's anything I can do to help shine a light on them, I'm more than happy to be involved," he said.

"And if you care about music, go out and support your local venues by buying a ticket, discovering somebody new and keeping the scene alive."

Delivered by the charity the Music Venue Trust and powered by The National Lottery, the festival will be supporting causes such as War Child, Nordoff and Robbins, Help Musicians UK and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Cook, who celebrated 40 years in the music business last year, shot to fame in the 1980s with bands like The Housemartins and Beats International, before carving out a successful solo career.

With millions of followers on social media, he has gone on to win a Grammy Award, nine MTV Video Music Awards, two Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello Award.

In 2023, he was awarded the Guinness World Record for the most UK number-one singles by one musician as a member of different acts.

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