DJ Dearie plans 15-hour dance music fundraiser

A mammoth celebration of dance music courtesy of nine DJs connected to the isles will be held in Lerwick later this year.

The 15-hour Battle of the Beats event will take place in the Legion and Captain Flint’s on 3rd September.

Organiser Geoff Dearie, who is based in Glasgow, used to DJ in Shetland in the early 1990s.

He said he has strong connection with the isles, having paid regular visits since the age of 12.

Dearie said it was the first time such an event has been held in Shetland, with sub genres including deep house, trance, techno and club anthems.

He will also be making a financial contribution to the mental charity Mind Your Head, as well as donating sponsorship money from Allied Taxis.

“There has been a resurrection of dance music in Glasgow – old school dance music – and there has been a resurrection all over Britain,” Dearie said.

Gigging under the name Mouse with fellow DJ Gerbil, he has fond memories of playing music in Shetland and said they built up quite a following – spinning records at the likes of the Tingwall Hall and The North Star.

Dearie said he had the idea with plenty of people in their 40s were going out clubbing in Glasgow and folk were keen to relive their youth, and wanted to make amends to the community.

Asked why people were going looking back to older dance tunes, he replied: “A lot of music these days is manufactured and a lot of popular culture. Those days were never like that. These DJs went out with a pile of records and blended them together.”

DJ’s from Inverness, Glasgow, Oban and Shetland will be taking part. Dearie also plans to hold an auction, as well as have his chest waxed to raise funds.
Craig Gunn, John Collins, Brian Shearer and Fraser Hardie will be performing at Captain Flints from 11.30am to 4.30pm, with light sticks, whistles, dummies and CDs on sale.

Meanwhile the DJ line-up from 4pm to 1am at the legion is Brian Shearer, John Collins, Nadia Dedman, Martin Fraser, G Whizz, Mouse and Gerbil.

To support Dearie and Mind Your Head go to www.gofundme.com/2eeyb93w