Paul Oakenfold was probably the first global superstar DJ, and on top of that he wears the hats of a record label boss, a hit-making re-mixer, producer and songwriter, and he pioneered the use of contemporary electronic soundtracks for Hollywood films and video games. He was responsible for introducing “underground” club tracks and the genre to the mainstream.
Paul opened the doors for international DJ culture and global touring playing to huge crowds for several generations of DJs, and his passport still gets filled fast with stamps from a zillion countries, as an in-demand star performing live across the globe every year. His UK appearances are few, so when he is booked to do his thing on home-soil, those shows sell out in the blink of an eye.
His next gig in the UK is as one of the headliners at the annual pop and dance event, Reminisce Festival at Sherdley Park, St Helens near Liverpool on Saturday 6th September 2025. His name on the billing helped sell out the capacity 25,000 tickets for the event; which has eight stages and is run by top promoters In Demand.
The 11 hour bash – 12 noon to 11pm – boasts a stellar line up of the best acts the 90’s club scene enjoyed, including Paul Oakenfold, David Morales, Seb Fontaine, Jeremy Healy, Judge Jules, Ultra Nate, Rozalla, N Trance, K-Klass, Urban Cookie Collective, Cascada, Gok Wan, Tiffany, Boyzlife, Tiffany and many more.
Oh, and the one and only Chesney Hawkes! With a huge arena featuring eight stages, there’s far too many names to list here, but it really is a who’s who of the best of 90s live music and DJ scene.
Paul Oakenfold grew up in South London and began his career as a rare groove DJ in Covent Garden, and was soon also an A&R man for hot labels Def Jam and Champion, working with such acts as Salt ‘n Pepa, Beastie Boys and Public Enemy.
For his 24th birthday in 1987, Paul and some DJ mates including Danny Rampling, took a trip to Ibiza and were captivated by the party scene over there and the sounds integral to it. Inspired by that scene and vibe, Paul started “Spectrum” and “Future” club nights back in London, to recreate the Ibiza experience and established himself at the forefront of the British dance music and “trance” revolution.
Paul then ventured into music production and song writing, and his first success was with The Happy Mondays’ album “Pills, Thrills, ‘N Bellyaches” in 1990 and included his co- writes “Loose Fit” and “Bob’s Yer Uncle”. He then was in demand as a producer and remixer with such stars as U2, The Cure, Madonna and the Rolling Stones. Paul launched Perfecto Records in 1989, one of the most successful dance labels of the 90s and still in action today after 36 years.
As a composer and song writer for film and TV, Paul has contributed to soundtracks for major studio releases such as “Swordfish”, “The Bourne Identity”, “Collateral” and “The Matrix: Reloaded”, and co-wrote the “Big Brother” UK TV theme, which reached #4 in the UK Singles Chart when released in 2000 under the artist name Element Four and is still used on the series almost 25 years later.
Paul is still as creative as ever, which his latest collaboration will confirm: A club-ready reworking of Nancy Sinatra’s timeless hit “Bang Bang”, with Jessica Sweetman on vocals; on the Perfecto label.
In 2009, Oakenfold co-wrote and co-produced Madonna’s global hit “Celebration”, one of three new songs featured on her third greatest hits album of the same name. It reached the top five in many national charts, including Italy and Sweden (where it attained #1 status), Canada (#5), France (#2), Germany (#5), Netherlands (#3), Japan (#5) and the United Kingdom (#3). At the 52nd annual Grammys, the song was nominated for the ‘Best Dance Recording’ award.
He is a three-time Grammy award and two-time World Music award nominee. He was voted the No. 1 DJ in the World twice in 1998 and 1999 by DJ Magazine.
In 2003, the late Queen Elizabeth II awarded Paul Oakenfold on behalf of the British Empire as a “Pioneer of the Nation” for his contributions to dance music.
As the first global superstar DJ, he was booked to play the main stage at Glastonbury Festival and has had Las Vegas residencies; was the first DJ to play Stonehenge, Area 51, the Great Wall of China, and base camp at Mount Everest – and when he played at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi, his set was broadcast to over 760 million worldwide households.
Paul Oakenfold’s syndicated Perfecto Radio show draws circa 25 million listeners internationally on a weekly basis to hear him spin his latest tunes and dancefloor discoveries.
- Paul performs at Reminisce Festival on Saturday 6th September, Sherdley Park, St Helens.
STOP PRESS: There may a few tickets available from the original 25,000 capacity sold, from those who paid deposits on tickets and then failed to pay the balance, so those tickets can now be re-sold: https://reminiscefestival.com/
Paul’s Track Record:
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
The Beatles: “She Loves You”.
2. First single you owned?
T.Rex: “20th Century Boy”.
3. First LP/album you owned?
Pink Floyd: “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”.
4. First CD you owned?
“ABBA: “Greatest Hits”.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
I generally don’t buy music. I get it all sent as promo’ to play and support on my
radio show.
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
“The Best Of U2”.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
“Now That’s What I Call Dance #125”.
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one
if need be)?
Marvin Gaye: “What’s Going On”. [1971]
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music
collection?
I have over 40,000 records – a vast array of various different music from reggae,
poetry, blues, dance, and of course rock.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Music means everything to me. It’s my first love and will always be. I’ve dedicated
my whole life to music. I would die with a record in my hand.
11.Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
The Eagles : “Hotel California”.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
There hasn’t been one made yet!
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
“Perfecto Record’s Greatest Hits”.
14.Best song or album for a romantic moment?
Art of Noise: “Moments in Love”. [1983 song].
15.Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are
married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
“I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
Anything by BTS!
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific
memory/memories?
“Blue is the Colour” by Chelsea FC.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
U2 and The Rolling Stones.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Bono, and Pavarotti.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“I’m Still Standing” by Elton John.
