Fatboy Slim Makes Rock in Rio Debut and Says Being in Brasil Is Like Meeting Family You Didn’t Know Existed

British DJ and producer Fatboy Slim closed out Rock in Rio at the New Dance Order stage on a night featuring Brazilian and international music legends.

João Bosco performed on the Global Village stage at age 80, Gilberto Gil performed on the Mundo stage at age 84, and Elton John came out of official touring retirement to headline the Mundo stage with a historic performance. Fatboy Slim completed the lineup on the New Dance Order stage.

The New Dance Order stage functioned as an afterparty, drawing an audience of all ages from children to seniors before festivalgoers headed home.

Despite touring Brazil dozens of times during his career, this marked Fatboy Slim’s first time performing at Rock in Rio as he closed out the festival’s first block of shows.

In an interview with Billboard Brasil from his home in Brighton, Fatboy Slim discussed his affinity for Brazil. “Honestly, I don’t know what explains this connection. I think my mum slept with a Brazilian and never told anyone,” he stated. He added, “When I arrived in Brazil, it was like meeting the rest of your family that you didn’t know existed.”

Commenting on sharing the Sept. 7 lineup with Elton John and Gilberto Gil, Fatboy Slim said, “It’s wonderful, because I know both artists and have huge respect for both of them. So being on the same lineup is an honor.” He further noted, “I feel like I’m representing electronic music from England. It’s a position of great honor, but with it comes great responsibility.”

Fatboy Slim collaborated in the studio this year on “Funk Drunk (feat. 7KY)” alongside Brazilian artist Carola and producer Felix Da Housecat, a partnership that originated after the São Paulo-based DJ sent him a track remix years prior.

His set featured big beat, breaks, and decades-spanning samples, combining catalog classics such as “The Rockafeller Skank,” “Right Here, Right Now,” and “Praise You” with newer electronic tracks.

In July 2002, Fatboy Slim performed a free concert on the beach in his hometown of Brighton for Big Beach Boutique II, attracting over 250,000 attendees, which was four times the anticipated crowd. The event became one of the largest gatherings recorded at a UK music event and was the subject of the 2023 documentary “Right Here, Right Now.”

The first weekend concluded with performances celebrating MPB, romance via Roupa Nova and Guilherme Arantes, rock and pop via Elton John, and electronic music via Fatboy Slim.

–This article was written by Vitória Zane for Billboard Brasil