The globetrotting DJ Wayne G loves his food, has his pick of the parties and can’t wait to visit the Maldives.
Where are you from originally?
London, Old Kent Road to be precise. I think they have knocked down most if not all of the Aylesbury Estate now, which used to be my playground. It was certainly eye opening as a kid growing up there.
And where do you live now?
I move between London and San Francisco. I was in LA for a while but recently relocated back to San Fran. I love the contrast between the two. San Fran doesn’t feel like a city at all. And I love the fog rolling in most days – it’s kinda creepy, in a good way.
What do you love about London?
The culture, the people, the skyline, the food – I still love my pie ‘n’ mash, fry ups and Sunday roasts, and miss them shit loads when away. There is a buzz in London that you cannot replicate anywhere in the world, the whole city has it. You don’t realise it until you have spent a chunk of time away from the place.
What was the first gay venue you visited?
I jumped head first into Heaven and Trade at Turnmills on the same night in 1991/2. I was wearing white jeans and a blue and white polka dot silk shirt from Next. It was a tragic outfit that was ruined the next morning upon stumbling from Trade into the daylight. The jeans were black from the dancefloors – try explaining that to a mother that had no clue what you were up to. I remember kissing a man for the first time behind a fruit machine in the arches at Heaven and it was all downhill from there. Take That were performing that night. In their underwear. Ah, good times…
Favourite club/bar/venue in London and why?
Club is easily XXL at Pulse – the club is spectacular, a world-class venue, and with a DJ line up including Pagano and Moto Blanco. My absolute favourite bar and venue is the Royal Vauxhall Tavern; I just love the place, the crowd, the staff, the space. It’s an institution and somewhere I have been going to since 1991.
What was the last theatre show you saw?
The Book of Mormon and Kinky Boots, and I loved them both. I am not a big musical theatre type I am afraid, I didn’t get that gene. But Kinky Boots was particularly close to home as I had worked on making two of the songs from it into dancefloor hits. So it was great to see the songs in the original context.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I have two. The first is the TV show Little People of LA/Atlanta/New York. It’s a whole show about little people and I adore little people. The second is simple: a Twix. I miss English chocolate when abroad, so stock up on them when I am home and ration myself far too often with them when I’m away.
Best gift you’ve ever received?
A simple T-shirt with a black and white image on the front that is a skeleton dressed in a suit and a top hat and he is DJing. It was from Andy Bell’s husband, Stephen. I fell in love with it while he was wearing it and the poor queen had to take it off and hand it over. It wasn’t forced, honestly…
What has been the highlight of your career so far and why?
Gosh, there are so many. I love my job, so with each gig comes a great memory. The Grammys was a highlight for sure; being the first gay DJ to spin that party was unreal and an absolute joy to perform at. My first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, where they had me headline the main hall for five hours, will live with me forever. My final night as main floor resident at Heaven in 2004, after nine years, was a lot of tears and some great memories all rolled into one. I could go on for hours…
What’s the best party you’ve ever been to?
Oh Lord, well Trade was certainly a place to beat for clubbing events, especially in the early days through the 90s – it was amazing. Sydney Mardi Gras is always a great party, especially if Kylie is performing. White Party Palm Springs is always such fun, dancing in the desert under the stars. And of course Atlantis cruises are like no other. I am spoilt for choice when it comes to great parties and it’s hard to choose.
If you could go back in time which year would you choose and why?
The 1970s. I love everything about the 70s, the clothes, the people, the music – God, I love the music – I would have killed to have been a part of Studio 54 or The Saint in New York City. Those clubs define that era.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
My granny used to say “When nothing goes right, go left.”
Who is your LGBT hero and why?
Marsha P Johnson, drag queen and trans activist. She was legendary and the first to throw a brick at the Stonewall Riots. She fought intensely for trans rights way before it was popular and is often overlooked in history books.
Who are the most entertaining people you follow on Twitter?
Cher is bloody hilarious, as is JK Rowling lately, and Bette Midler. But I am not that big on Twitter; I really need to get back into it.
Where in the world would you like to visit before you die and why?
India and the Maldives. Both worlds apart but both have appealed to me for sometime now. One for the food and vibrancy, the other for their beauty. Both are on my bucket list.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you were younger?
That things would get better, then get worse, then get better. We spend so much of our life worrying over the simplest of things. Things have a habit of working out. The universe moves in mysterious ways.
Wayne will be DJing at brand new party Love Station this Sunday (26 Feb) from 10pm at the Prince of Wales, 467-469 Brixton Road, London, SW9 8HH.
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