BBC ‘explainer’ newsreader Ros Atkins on how his Glastonbury DJ set came about

19 June, 2024

Ros Atkins wearing a suit

Ros Atkins’ forthcoming DJ set at Glastonbury has caught a lot of people by surprise, so the BBC newsreader has explained how it all came about on X/Twitter.

Atkins, who’s known for his ‘explainer’ videos, announced last month that he was “astonished” to be on the line-up for this year’s festival, and it seems as though he wasn’t the only one.

“As I may have mentioned a couple of times, in an unlikely development, I’m going to be doing a drum’n’bass set at Glastonbury,” he began on Twitter/X. “And, not at all unreasonably, quite a few people have asked me variations on ‘How did that happen?!’ Well, there’s a bit of a story here.”

It started in 2022, when he discussed his past DJ’ing in an interview. He was then asked by BBC Radio producer Matt Tasker if he’d like to do a set, while Soho venue The Social also asked him if he’d like to do a gig.

Some of his Atkins’ drum’n’bass “heroes” got in touch, too, including Ray Keith, who gave him a lesson. He said, alongside a photo of the two together, “For two hours, Ray ran me through everything from the kit, to mixing techniques, to tune selection. I soaked it all up, taking notes as we went along. In this shot, I’ve the look of a man who can’t quite believe what is happening. Which was very much the case.”

He explained that he worked with Keith to figure out what equipment he needed to practice at home, and they decided to play at The Social together. He added, “I think I just about hung it together – with Ray watching on! And everyone seemed to have a good time … I was up and running. I kept practising. And we did another night last year – this time with the brilliant Chinese Daughter too.”

After the second night, Carl Gosling of The Social broached the possibility of Atkins playing the Stonebridge stage at Glastonbury, which is organised by the team from the venue.

As a result, Atkins will be playing from 3.30pm to 5pm on the Saturday (June 29), alongside huge names like Annie Mac, Idris Elba, Rudimental and Groove Armada.

“I haven’t remotely got used to the idea,” he concluded. “I’m incredibly grateful for the invite – and to BBC 6 Music, Ray Keith, The Social and others who’ve encouraged me along the way.”

Also making their Glastonbury debut this year are Voice of Baceprot. The metal trio will be the first Indonesian band to play the festival, too, and singer Firda Marsya Kurnia told NME: “We’re so proud and happy, but to be honest, Glastonbury never made our list. We thought it was so out of reach that we should take things step by step. Don’t shoot for Glastonbury right away.”

Glastonbury Festival 2024 is set to take place from June 26-30. Check out the full line-up with stage splits and performance times here and the most frustrating set clashes of the weekend here.

Meanwhile, the early weather forecast for the festival is currently predicting mixed conditions.

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