From Bonkers CDs to the Ministry of Sound: Portsmouth DJs Bring the Rave Home

Two Portsmouth DJs are having a whirlwind few weeks, taking their sound of UK Hardcore from the legendary Ministry of Sound in London to a rooftop pool party in Tenerife — before returning home for a huge night on South Parade Pier.

For Portsmouth-based DJs DjFatSteve & Dave Castellano, the last few weeks have been something of a dream come true.

The duo, who run Portsmouth rave brand The Secret Society and recently launched their own Secret Society Records label, have been making waves on the hardcore and dance scene — and their latest run of bookings has taken them to some seriously iconic locations.

Last Saturday saw the pair take to the decks at the legendary Ministry of Sound in London, making their debut for one of the most famous names in hardcore — Bonkers.

For two DJs who grew up listening to the iconic Bonkers CD series, it was a particularly special moment.

“It was a massive honour for us,” says DjFatSteve. “We grew up listening to the Bonkers CDs, so to actually stand in the Ministry of Sound and play a Bonkers event ourselves was one of those moments where you have to stop and think, ‘Is this really happening?’”

But there is barely time to take it all in before the next adventure arrives.

This Friday, the Portsmouth duo will be heading overseas to Tenerife, where they will be performing as part of a huge Ravers Reunited takeover weekend.

Their set will take place at a rooftop pool party, before the weekend builds towards a spectacular finale — a massive rave held inside a castle.

From one iconic venue to another, the pair are certainly keeping busy.

However, while the international bookings are exciting, it is their next Portsmouth appearance that means the most to the local DJs.

On Saturday 26th September, DjFatSteve & Dave Castellano will return to their home city for Clubland Live On South Parade Pier, running from 4pm until 11pm.

The event promises to turn the seafront into a celebration of classic dance music, with wall-to-wall dance hits, euphoric trance and iconic club anthems bringing back the sound of a generation.

The line-up is packed with names familiar to anyone who grew up with the golden era of clubbing, including Love Inc, Ian Van Dahl, Hixxy, Ultrabeat and BCXD, alongside more acts.

And the night will finish with the Portsmouth duo themselves. From 10.15pm until 11pm, DjFatSteve & Dave Castellano will close the event with their trademark high-energy vocal anthems, bringing the night to a full-throttle finale.

For the pair, playing the final set at such a major local event is another milestone — but this time, in front of their home crowd.

“We've been lucky enough to play some incredible places recently, but finishing Clubland on South Parade Pier is something we're really looking forward to,” says Dave Castellano.

“We're Portsmouth DJs, and The Secret Society is a Portsmouth-born brand, so being able to finish a huge night like this in our own city is a big deal for us.”

The duo's growing profile comes alongside the development of The Secret Society, the rave brand they have built from the ground up, and the newly formed Secret Society Records, which is now beginning to release music from the artists and DJs connected to their events.

Yet despite the bigger stages, overseas bookings and iconic venues, the message from the duo remains firmly rooted in their hometown.

From listening to Bonkers CDs as youngsters, to playing a Bonkers event at the Ministry of Sound, to taking over a rooftop in Tenerife — and now preparing to close one of Portsmouth's biggest throwback dance events on South Parade Pier — it has been quite a journey.

And for Portsmouth's hardcore and dance music fans, there is a chance to experience the latest chapter for themselves.

Clubland Live On South Parade Pier takes place on Saturday 26th September, from 4pm until 11pm, with DjFatSteve & Dave Castellano closing the night from 10.15pm.

Expect classic anthems, hands-in-the-air moments, huge vocals and a final set designed to leave the South Parade Pier absolutely rocking.