From chart-topping records to headlining DJ sets, not to mention numerous other projects in between, Norman Cook - aka Fatboy Slim - has been dominating dancefloors for decades.

When this year’s Creamfields festival takes place in the region he’ll not only be among the leaders of the line-up with his own performance, but he’ll also be bringing a whole arena of acts to perform as his ‘Smile High Club’ sets up camp. The superstar DJ took time out of his hectic schedule to talk about his plans for the event, milestone career moments and
performing 170 metres off the ground.

At next month’s Creamfields you’ll be hosting your own arena of acts for the first time, called the ‘Smile High Club’. Can you tell us a bit about the concept?

The idea is to create a club within a festival rather than just a branded tent. We want it to have a vibe of friendliness and collective euphoria/stupidity achieved through random acts of smileyness occurring in and out of the
arena. There will be many surprises but the day will begin with an attempt at the human smiley world record. Check social media for details of how to get involved!

You’ll be leading the Smile High Club lineup with your own set too. What can fans expect?

The same old acid house party nonsense. Hard but fair…

You’ve got a history of playing Creamfields and other Liverpool Cream events, including the club’s 20th anniversary. Any favourite moments?

At the first ever Creamfields the Gorillaz played behind a huge projection screen so no-one could actually see them. As I was going on next I had access to the stage so I could climb round the lighting rig, and I was the only one to actually
watch what was really going on behind the screen.

You were the first DJ to play the House of Commons and also performed on quite a unique giant illuminated octopus at the Olympics. If you could be the first to DJ in any other location or scenario, where would you choose?

The favourite shows have been those on Brighton Beach and a huge observation tower is being built exactly where the stage was. Imagine the thrill of playing to a packed sun-kissed beach whilst going up and down 170 metres!

You’ve had huge success with both making your own studio albums and playing anthemic tracks to crowds as a superstar DJ. Which do you enjoy the most?

Currently I am having way too much fun DJing to even get in the studio. That may be temporary but that’s how I roll right now.

You’ve held the record for having the most UK top 40 singles under the most names. What’s been the benefit of working with so many different acts and pseudonyms?

In the pre-digital age it was possible to have parallel careers under different names at the same time on different labels with different styles, but the information highway makes it hard to remain anonymous and record companies no longer require such complicated contracts!

What’s your biggest career moment and is there anything you’d still like to achieve?

I think I’ve already been blessed with some absurdly spectacular moments. Never say never but I think I might have been to the mountaintop.  I’d still like to score a whole film rather than contribute one track. It would have to be a very
good film though. One can dream…

Next year it will be 20 years since the release of your first Fatboy Slim record. Will you be planning to celebrate the anniversary in any way?

Perhaps a small cake? I’m still working out how to celebrate my 30th year in the business before 2015 ends! I quit my day job in 1985.
The industry and the way you work on your music must have changed a lot in that time. What’s had the biggest impact and how have you stayed at the top of the game?
There have been two revolutions during my career. First is the maturing of dance music from underground nightclubs into the worldwide acceptance and popularity today. Secondly, the digital age has had an astounding impact on how we consume music. Ideas fly at such a breakneck speed round the world when before they would slowly osmose from one tribe to another. At the same time downloads and streaming mean more people have access to music but artists struggle to make a living from the tiny royalties.

What are your plans beyond this summer’s festival season?

A Dimbleby debate (I kid you not), big things in Mexico and I promise to try and get back in the studio at some point.

Fatboy Slim will be performing at Creamfields, which takes place during the Bank Holiday weekend from 28-30 august, before jetting off to Cream’s closing party in Ibiza on 17 September.  For tickets and information visit www.cream.co.uk

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