Young DJ, aged 11, meets idol Fatboy Slim

Young DJ Efan Williams, 11, described meeting his musical hero Fatboy Slim as "a dream come true" after performing at a festival.

Known on stage as Efan Electro, he shared a high-five, a hug, and a conversation with the legendary DJ backstage at Kendal Calling in the Lake District during the summer. The encounter was filmed and will appear in an upcoming episode of the S4C show Stwnsh Sadwrn later this month.

Hailing from Llanllechid, near Bethesda, Efan called the 45,000-strong festival "his biggest gig yet." He credited Fatboy Slim as the main inspiration behind his DJing journey. "I love DJing and producing music," Efan said, mentioning that his musical sets include house, techno, hip hop, and electronic dance music. "Fatboy Slim is my favourite DJ he's the reason I started this."

His father, Rob Williams, called the meeting with Norman Cook, Fatboy Slims real name, "a really special moment." He added, "Efan is inspired by legends like him, and you can hear that influence in the music he plays."

Efan received his first DJ decks as a Christmas gift at age eight, after his family organized many home discos during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Since then, he has progressed to professional-level equipment and has developed impressive skills.

Reflecting on the festival, Rob said, "Kendal Calling was an unforgettable day for Efan something he'll always remember."

Fatboy Slim, who also started DJing at a young age of 15, rose to fame in the 1980s with bands like The Housemartins and Beats International before establishing a successful solo career. Over the years, he has won a Grammy Award, nine MTV Video Music Awards, two Brit Awards, and an Ivor Novello Award. In 2023, he earned a Guinness World Record for the most UK number-one singles by one musician as part of different acts.

The episode of Stwnsh Sadwrn featuring Efan and Fatboy Slim airs on S4C at 9:40 AM on 20 December and will be available on BBC iPlayer.

Author: Zoe Harrison