From Across The line to across the airwaves of the UK

Having missed the 2004 ‘Big Weekend’ festival in Londonderry because he was grounded for skipping school, Phil is excited that his first ‘Big Weekend’ festival as a Radio 1 presenter will be in his home country this weekend.

He said: “It’s such a big deal and I’m so happy that it’s coming back, it’s going to be amazing. I have never been to a ‘Big Weekend’ so for it to be my first one in my home country, just up the road from my house, I couldn’t be more delighted. We have the biggest pop stars in the world playing over three days in Ebrington Square. Everything seems to be coming up Derry for 2013.”

While an undergraduate student at the University of Ulster Phil won the prestigious BBC/Skillset Young Broadcaster of the Year award before beginning his BBC career as an assistant on BBC Introducing in Northern Ireland.

Hard work and a lot of time spent networking led to the Omagh-man finally securing his first presenting role on BBC Radio Ulster’s Across the Line before making the ransition to the coveted Radio 1 slot formerly occupied by the legendary John Peel.

Although Phil is keen to stress that he didn’t come by this success easily, he said:

“The best way to get into my line of work is to go to your local radio station and make the tea, listen to a lot of radio and get inspired by listening to people you admire. If it’s what you really want you must have patience, be available and practice your skills by making radio shows that no-one is ever going to hear. I had to work really hard to get here I am and even now I’m not as good as I want to be so I’m still working very hard, still learning and still listening.”

Keeping it local the DJ has chosen Northern Irish band Two Door Cinema Club as his top pick for the weekend.

“I think Two Door Cinema Club are going to be the big ones to watch, being Northern Irish boys they have huge home support and it’s really great to see things come full circle for them, from playing gigs in in Sandinos to stages around the world. Kendrick Lamar is going to be a really good one as well, his album ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ was one of my favourites from the last year,” he said.

If you haven’t managed to secure a ticket for the festival, don’t panic, the DJ is predicting that you may be lucky enough to spot your favourite artist in the most unlikely of places.

“Its going to be crazy to see all these huge hip hop artists and stars just walking about Derry, they’re going to be about during the day as well. Imagine Rita Ora after her set walking up Shiquay Street, Jared Leto and all the lads just having a pint in the Metro and Calvin Harris in the Bound For Boston arguing over the kareoke mike, it will definitely be a weekend to remember.”