Allow me to introduce myself: I am known only as the Ghost of Clubbing (possibly because my existence is a myth), and I’d be delighted if you’d join me on a journey through time, to visit the past, present and future of DJ Marc Wilkie.
He’s the DJ that most of us have all known and loved for many years now, but we need to go way back to 1989 when this little tinker started his clubbing days (some of you younger club-heads would have only just been born!).
1989 was the year when Marc initially developed a healthy taste in house music, listening to the likes of Tony Walker and Steve Luigi on various pirate radio stations to quench his thirst for some newly born audible beats.
1991 saw him take his first few steps into club-land to nights such as Angels in Burnley to see Anne Savage (who was then known as DJ Fresh!) and Universe in Bradford to where he was a popular fan of DJ’s such as Jeremy Healy and Alistair Whitehead.
From here, Marc’s fate in club-land was well and truly sealed, and not long after these events in 1991, Marc purchased his first set of turntables. The pleasurably addictive sense that is often associated with “spinning tunes†certainly gave Marc a “Once you pop, you just can’t stop!†kind of attitude, and he knew from here on in where his destiny was to take him.
In 1993, Ark in Leeds was to be the next major influencing factor on Marc’s music taste, cranking up the pace a wee notch with the likes of DJ’s such as Rob Tissera, Anne Savage and Dj Sy.
1994 saw Marc’s first DJ’ing residency at Planet Venus in Bradford. Here, his early taste of what is now considered classic house blew the roof off week in, week out!
Shortly to follow this was the unforgettable “hard-house eraâ€, including us lots of us practically living in clubs such as Sundissential, Glasshouse and Sin:ergy. Following the likes of hard- dance guru’s such as Ian M and Lisa Lashes, Marc has a secret hoard of back catalogue mix CD’s which have practically been worn out due to overplaying from popularity!
Marc’s second residency took up in 1997 at Club 101 in Keighley where he not only became a local DJ’ing hero (complete with obsessive fans), but also promoted his first night aptly named “We Like It...BANGING!â€, ably assisted with his fellow entourage. This was to turn out to be a most memorable first event, largely due to effective promotions on the previously popular welikeitbanging.com website, which ran alongside all promotions.
We Like It...BANGING Club events were subsequently progressed through two other locations, Club 911 in Bradford and the hugely successful venture of Club Sin:ergy @ The Phoenix, Manchester in 2001.
Marc’s DJ’ing spots began to spread further a field into other clubs such as Sundissential in Birmingham and The Glasshouse, Leeds. The list of top name DJ’s that he’s played alongside with includes Rob Tissera, Lisa Pin-Up, K-Klass, Utah Saints and Paul Taylor.
Marc’s next successive triumph was his residency at the legendary Love2B nights in Leeds. It was here where his likeness of funky house grew into new areas, and once again he played to packed out audiences who were all treated with his unique and original mix of tunes and mixing styles week after week.
One of Marc most memorable DJ’ing events was his summer stint in Ibiza 2005, where he played for both Housewives Choice and Krystals Bar. Both highly successful sets, Marc is looking forward to the opportunity of return to the white isle this coming summer.
Then in 2007 things really looked up for him and now is a resident dj for Retro Heaven and Leeds loves Electro playing with the likes of Hoxton Whores, Whelan and Discala, Alister Whitehead, Graeme Park and more.
Marc Love the music and the crowds he plays to. See ya in the club.
