Andy C is recognised the world over as one of drum & bass’s biggest DJs.
But on a trip to Japan 20 years ago, Andy C had his first encounter with Keith Flint of The Prodigy, who tragically passed away earlier this month.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Andy said: ‘It was many moons ago when I met the guys then. The music is such an influence – I’m a Prodigy fan, first and foremost.’
‘[Keith] was just so full of life, funny, soul of the party, kind, caring. I remember being up on stage in Estonia last year, just watching the guys play live and standing at the side of the stage.
‘It was a masterclass, watching the way he conducts the audience and his interaction.’
Andy C may have started out a fan, but as he honed his craft and drum & bass grew in popularity, Clarke started to play at the same festivals as The Prodigy.
In 2016, on the snow-lined slopes of Mayrhofen, Austria, Andy C was one of the top artists at Snowbombing – where The Prodigy were headlining.
In two weeks time, he’ll return for the festival’s twentieth anniversary.
The drum & bass legend told Metro.co.uk: ‘I love coming back. Snowbombing holds a special place in my heart. I’ve got fond memories of playing at the Racquet Club, and then ending up at an impromptu after-party at Arena with Example and Skream – pretty good all night vibes.’
‘You can feel the party spirit of the place as soon as you arrive in Mayrhofen. You get up near the hotel and everybody’s up and down the street: music’s blaring, fancy dress is going on. It starts down there and ends up high in the mountains.’
‘It’s just a wonderful, wonderful week.’
Andy C has played at festivals across the world, but he acknowledges there’s something different about pumping drum & bass in a jaw dropping Alpine valley.
‘It’s a unique proposition. It’s the reputation that comes from Snowbombing. It’s the vibe of skiing, the free spirited nature of skiing and snowboarding, and being up in the mountains.’
A loyal fanbase is the mark of a legendary artist, but Andy C’s ability to regularly draw huge crowds is unmatched in the world of drum ‘n’ bass.
It’s no small wonder that he became the first drum ‘n’ bass artist to play Wembley last year, followed by a sell-out 13-week residency at XOYO – his second in two years: ‘It’s a mad trip. I just keep enjoying it year in, year out.’
‘We’ve had an extremely strong year, but if you draw a timeline through anybody’s career, it’s just… We’re all having a good time, we’re soaking it up. Drum and bass is foundation, isn’t it? Everyone keeps coming back and we love that.’
The megastar knows his audience just as well as they know him, and the gorgeous Snowbombing environment doesn’t change that relationship.
Andy C told Metro.co.uk: ‘I just go in and go hell for leather and we work it out. That’s all you’ve got to do. The [Snowbombing] crowd are very receptive to the music. It’s not like I’m playing to a load of skiers that are used to rock and roll – they know what they’re going there for. I start my set hell for leather as always and then we get into the groove.’
On the Snowbombing crowd, Andy said: ‘Nutters, absolute nutters. That’s what makes it brilliant. Heads want to have fun. Everybody out there wants to go and have a good time.’
One thing that won’t be bothering Andy C is whether to bring skis or a snowboard. His answer to the age-old snowsports debate, in true Andy C-style, was one word: “Après.”
Snowbombing festival runs from April 8th-13th in Mayrhofen, Austria, with festival packages starting from £269.
