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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Debbie Hall & Steven Brown

Former West Lothian plumber turned DJ tells why he ditched tools for decks


A former West Lothian plumber has packed away his tools for good to DJ the main stage of a major dance music festival.

Christian Rogers, 23, from Bathgate ditched his career as a plumber for a full-time gig in DJing after releasing his music online which has amassed a following.

The multi-genre DJ is now due to perform on the main stage of Fly Open Air festival alongside many other big name performers which is due to happen next month.

Christian is now due to play the main stage of Fly Open Air on May 20 in front of thousands of people, he said: "It is always something I have wanted to do because it was normally me just going with my pals to see other DJ's and now it is actually me on the stage, it is a real bit surreal."

"I was actually really surprised to play the main stage as I was actually supposed to be playing a smaller stage at Fly and then I went and met Tom, the founder and he bumped me up to the main stage so it is absolutely a dream that I have been thinking about for the last few years."

"I can’t wait to join the Team at FLY and play Hopetoun House next month. It’s a dream come true.”

Edinburgh Live told how Christian left school and started off his plumbing apprenticeship at the new sick kids hospital in Edinburgh and before he knew it started getting DJ gigs regularly, started taking it seriously by producing his own music and released his music online.

The 23-year-old reflected back to the time of when he was still working hard as a plumber and working tirelessly through the night with the dream of becoming a DJ.

"I did enjoy my time as a plumber and it was decent money but it was never my dream job and I have always been properly been into my music."

"I would sometimes come back from work and be up till 2am, making music for DJing and go into work knackered because I was on my laptop all night long."

His music hit off on the popular streaming site, Soundcloud and one of his songs, ‘Give Me Your Love (Baby)’ has now amassed 1.6 millions streams in only five months which is almost unheard of for a DJ just making it to the big time.

His music has now been signed by the record label, Method who represent the likes of Sam Smith and Disclosure and is due to be released later on this year.

However, before his debut album is released he has to perform in front of thousands of people at Hopetoun House at Fly Open Air which he thinks is perfect timing, he said: "I am glad that it is coming out when it does because it could be a summer tune and it is perfect timing for the festival as well."

Tom Ketley, FLY Festival Founder, said: “Christian was set to play on one of our smaller stages but with all of his success in the last few months, we just had to bump him up to the Main Stage. He’s insanely talented and a great young talent for Scotland. At FLY we are all about giving homegrown DJs a platform, so I’m excited to see half of West Lothian down to see the man of the moment!”

Christian will be performing on the main stage on May 20 alongside many other well known DJ's known worldwide.

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