The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)

Idris Elba in the Groove at Loch Ness

Groove Loch Ness: Actor returns to his DJ roots for sun-soaked event

- BY JAMIE MCKENZIE

The spotlight was on Elba, Idris Elba, during this year’s Groove Loch Ness music festival on Saturday.

Festival organiser Dougie Brown said the actor, who is being widely tipped to become the next James Bond, had everyone talking as he made his Scottish DJ debut at the dance festival in Dores.

And Mr Brown revealed that Mr Elba said he “loved” the location after he and several other acts spent some time down by the loch during the day.

Mr Brown revealed the organisers have received “incredible feedback” from all performers, with the event living up to its billing as a “nightclub under the stars”, with music being played throughout a clear night into Sunday.

He added: “We really lucked out with the weather again.

“There was no rain, it was nice and sunny and the audience was really positive and well behaved.

“Idris was on at about tea time and got everyone really excited.

“It’s his first time up here, and with the extra talk of being the new Bond, there was a bit of a buzz about the place.”

Outside of acting, Mr Elba is a house DJ and producer, having pursued a DJing career long before his big break in the acting world.

He recently stoked rumours that he could be the next 007 with a Tweet which read: “My name’s Elba, Idris Elba.”

The crowds at Dores were also wowed on Saturday night by the late headline performer, Ben Nicky, a record-breaking star on the global trance scene.

Other acts included MK (Marc Kitchen), Hannah Wants, Glasgow DJ KC Lights and the north’s own Mark Mackenzie.

Early reports from the organisers yesterday suggested that about 2,500 revellers had attended the event.

Another Groove festival next summer would mark its fifth year, which was preceded by Rock Ness music festival at the same location.

Mr Brown added: “I think it’s possible to be back next year.

“We would never want to get to the size of Rock Ness, but there is definitely scope to look at ideas and try and make it a bit more different and special.”

Ahead of the event on Saturday, police encouraged music fans to enjoy themselves, but warned they would have a “proactive drugs operation” in place.

 ?? Photograph by Jason Hedges ??
Photograph by Jason Hedges
 ?? Photograph­s by Jason Hedges ?? POPULAR : DJ Hannah Wants in action at Groove Loch Ness music festival at Dores at the weekend.
Photograph­s by Jason Hedges POPULAR : DJ Hannah Wants in action at Groove Loch Ness music festival at Dores at the weekend.
 ??  ?? The crowds at Grovve Loch Ness had a great time in the sunny weather
The crowds at Grovve Loch Ness had a great time in the sunny weather
 ??  ?? Actor Idris Elba got everyone excited as he made his Scottish DJ debut
Actor Idris Elba got everyone excited as he made his Scottish DJ debut

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom