Ministry of Sound Red Sea - Egypt

DJ Martin Doorly Interview

When did you first start DJ’ing and how did it all begin?

“I started about 8/9 years ago, I was a bar tender at the time and the DJ didn’t turn up. I had just bought a set of decks so I was terrible but I was cheaper so they gave me the job!”

Best gig of all time, either as DJ / punter, and why?

“Best gig as a DJ was doing my Radio 1 Essential Mix LIVE, the crowd were so behind me that I was massively pumped up so I nailed everything I set out to do. And having the most influential man in dance (Mr Pete Tong) stood behind you telling the world that you’re his favourite DJ right now is a pretty good motivator!

As a punter I’ve never witnessed anything else like seeing Daft Punk live! The whole experience was mind blowing, so much more than a DJ set. If you ever get the chance, DO IT!!!”

Which are you best three clubbing cities / countries worldwide, and why?

“I love Krakow in Poland. Being a poor country the crowd are so passionate about their music. And out of all of the cities I’ve played in Poland it’s got a really multi-cultural feel to it.

Obviously Ibiza ticks every box for clubs. Every night in the summer you can play to capacity crowds in any style of music.

I was also pleasantly surprised with the Egyptian crowds, pretty well educated and seriously up for it so definitely up there as some of the best gigs I’ve played.”

What does the Ministry of Sound brand say to you?

“Ministry is THE biggest clubbing brand bar none. I mean which other club brands can sell toasters with their logo on them? People are often quick to judge MoS based on their massive commercial success on things like the compilation CDs but the actual clubs still massively represent the underground house music scene. And the venues always lead the way in music and sound.”

Give us your first impressions of the Ministry of Sound Red Sea venue?

“Unbelievable!! The dance floor is sand, there is no roof, wicked sound system and comfortable surroundings. It’s the kind of place I could spend a lot of time in. The DJ box is perfectly positioned as well.”

With Ministry of Sound Red Sea and Hed Kandi Beach Bar both running successfully in Hurghada, Egypt – do you think we could be talking about a serious clubbing destination, either at present or in the near future? If so what else is required?

“It already seems to be a serious clubbing destination from what I’ve seen. There is a great scene here, a really good mix of locals and tourists. I suppose worldwide it’s still a bit of a clubbing secret so more promotion in worldwide mags such as Mixmag and the involvement of some other major British club events would open it up to a new audience. Give it 5 years and a couple more venues and I think a lot more British clubbers will flock to Egypt.”

What was the team at Ministry of Sound Red Sea like?

“Wicked! Very well organised, everyone has their own jobs covered and everything always ran smoothly. But my god they work hard!! 13 hour days in that heat!! They seem like a very happy and tight knit family which is so important when you’re working that hard.”

How was the actual club-night you played at?

“I played on the Friday at ‘Put Your Hands Up’. Not knowing about the buzzing little scene there I didn’t expect to get away with playing the music I did but the crowd were really up for it. I was blown away by the club and enjoyed every minute of it!”

What tunes got the biggest reactions on the night?

“I dropped a few classics which seemed to go down well (Prodigy / Josh Wink) but strangely enough the biggest reaction a seemed to get was from one of my own tunes ‘BON’ I have some great video footage of when it drops!”

How did the crowd differ from the normal clientele? Their response, musical preferences etc?

“The crowd reminded me of England 5 years ago before certain ‘downer’ drugs and minimal techno came into fashion. By that I mean the crowd are really vocal and lose their inhibitions which makes for an electric atmosphere. The problem in the UK at the moment, particularly in the south, is that people take their clubbing too seriously and care too much what they look like.”