NEWS; Weymouth DJ takes on 36 Hour Set for Charity

We welcome to the Antix Class of 2022 Ben Hadwin - a DJ from Weymouth, who’s making his mark in the scene in a tough and challenging way.

Ben is about to embark on a 36 hour DJ marathon, raising money and awareness for The Veterans Hub Weymouth

We spoke to Ben to get more about the challenge.

Frazer Mitchell; Hey Ben, nice to chat to you today, I hope you’re keeping well! Welcome to the Antix team! Tell us a bit more about yourself as a DJ, your experiences and why you got into DJing in the first place.

Ben Hadwin; Hi Frazer, 1st of all thank you for your support and taking the time to interview me. I’ve always had a love of music which comes from my dad and older brothers, I started out as a bedroom DJ, when my older brother moved away leaving his 1210s at home. From there onwards I first played out in Bar 2012 in Weymouth where Jerry Read and Pete Healy gave me my 1st sets. I then went on to Banus, Bar 118, Ayya , Dolce Vita, Batida, Lizard and most recently The Closet Bar. Last year I played at my 1st festival and looking forward to two more this year. I’ve been very lucky to have been on the same line ups as MistaJam, DJ Spoony, Lovely Laura & SASH this year.

I play a very wide range of music. I believe in reading a crowd and playing to them, My big love is funky house and jacking house.

FM; So the main reason for doing this interview today is about your charity event - tell us a bit more about it!

Ben;  Well I work for MKM Building Supplies Weymouth and each year we help support a charity or local community project, this year we have chosen The Veterans Hub Weymouth.

So I’ve  decided to do a nonstop 36 hour DJ set, I know I’m mad. This will take place 05/03/22 09:00 - 06/03/22 21.00. The venue will close Saturday midnight to public and re open in the morning, don’t panic we will be live streaming at that point.

I’ll explain why I’m doing the event

Coming from a military family and having close friends that have served I know first hand what The Veterans Hub can do. Most recently my stepdad serving with the Royal Engineers having been based in northern Ireland and the Falkland's , a close colleague of mine Jason Smith serving with the Royal Logistics Corp in Bosnia, where he tragically lost one of his legs.

One of my first memories was listening to my Great Uncle Ken who was a para trooper during WW2, where his was awarded the Legion d’Honneur for the liberation of France.

Listening to horrendous stories from My Great Uncle Pete who fought in Burma campaign. It was one of the most magnificent – and arduous – feats of arms in military history. A million men, from more than 20 nations, fighting a powerful and implacable foe through thousands of miles of intractable, malaria-ridden jungle, doggedly ploughing on, despite suffering a series of shattering early reverses.. Where he was awarded the Burma star.

FM; That's an incredible story, and a very selfless thing for you to do. So as you’re playing for 36 hours, what sort of music can we expect from you throughout? Where do you find that many tracks, and will you be taking requests?

Ben; seeing that it’s 36 hours I’ll be playing a wide range of music from ABBA to Paul van Dyke, I have no problem with requests on this occasion. I’ll be playing off turntables, CDJs and usb to make sure I have enough music and cover if anything goes down. I must also say thank you to Richard Swannie & Pete Healey for the PA and equipment.

FM; Will this be open to the public? Will we be able to come and support you, or will there be an online stream of the event?

Ben;  Absolutely this will be open to the public, it will be held at the Lugger Inn Chickerell. The venue will close to public at a certain point, this is when live streaming will happen.

FM; Most importantly, where can we donate to the worthy cause? I hear you’re looking for raffle prizes to give away too?

Ben; you can donate on my just giving page also we will have collections on the weekend with raffles, face painting etc going on. I would love more raffle prizes, I have had a few already which has been greatly received.
You will also be able to pop into MKM in Weymouth where they will have a collection tin out.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ben-hadwin

FM; Well best of luck to you Ben, I hope it all goes really well for you; you’re much braver than I am!

Ben; Thank you Frazer for the support and taking the time to interview me. Could I say a huge thank you to MKM for the help and support with the event.
Another massive thank you to Liam Coles of the Lugger for holding the event.
And of course The Veterans Hub for everything they do for veterans. And a big thank you to all that is supporting me throughout the event.


Make sure you follow the journey over on Facebook and at the Lugger's Arms, in Weymouth Dorset, starting on the 5th March 2022.