The Dead Spot

At every Rockabilly festival, there comes a moment when the last band of the afternoon has played their final encore. There is a two hour gap until the next act. The small hall closes, and a DJ starts playing in the cavernous large hall where the evening's entertainment will take place. This lacuna is usually taken as an opportunity for the audience to get a bite to eat, take a nap, and get dressed in their vintage finery for the evening. For DJs, it is known as "The Dead Spot" - the emptiest room of the day to play to.Every DJ has to play the dead spot at some point. Most dread having to do it. But it can be an opportunity to serve up some excellent music that won't be heard anywhere else that weekend. This year, on Friday night at the Rockabilly Rave, it was my turn to work The Dead Spot. It often is. Here are the records I spun for a tiny but appreciative audience of yawning record stall workers and unconcious alcoholics. Want to hear The Rockabilly DJ play at your favourite music festival? Ask the promotors or organisers to book me!