BACK in 2013 one of the best loved partnerships in British dance music came to an end when pioneers Layo & Bushwacka! went their separate ways.
Since then, Bushwacka! has continued rocking floors all over the world as a solo artist and under his Just Be alias while Layo retired from dance music altogether and set out to explore his professional partnership with his sister Zoe as a restauranteur. The siblings have together grown a portfolio of successful and eclectic venues across London.
Aside from being two of the most accomplished DJs in the world, Layo & Bushwacka! played a huge part in the evolution of dance music as part of The End Soundsystem alongside great friend Mr.C. The iconic London club, The End, which shut its doors for the last time in 2009, was home to the duo’s legendary All Night Long monthly sessions and the club was also owned by Mr.C and Layo. Mr.C told us at the time:
‘Layo & Bushwacka! blew up as a formidable DJ and production partnership, releasing a plethora of cutting-edge house, breaks and techno on End Recordings and later on their own Olmeto imprint. These two mavericks stamped their authority on the London club scene and indeed dance-floors across the world from Ibiza to Brazil and beyond.’
Mr.C wrote a piece in The Sun about Layo & Bushwacka’s split back in 2013.
So to see Layo coming out of retirement and reunite with Bushwacka! last year at Glastonbury was a huge delight and while at first it seemed this may be a one off gig, the duo have slowly started playing more regular shows with them appearing together at Pacha in Ibiza this summer, an epic 5 hour set in Brighton last September, an impromptu pop up block party in Soho in July and now they are hosting a boat party on the Thames in London on Saturday October 13.
We caught up with Matthew Benjamin aka Bushwacka! this week to find out more about the reunion, what the future holds for the duo and whether there is any new Layo & Bushwacka! music on the agenda. Bushwacka! also recorded an exclusive mix for The Night Bazaar Sessions which you can listen to below.
After a five year hiatus what prompted the reunion of Layo & Bushwacka!?
Layo and I headlined the Glade at Glastonbury last year and Layo loved it so much it reignited his love of playing special parties. We don’t intend to tour full on, just pick select special shows and keep it magical.
How has it felt playing together again?
It’s great. All the old jokes between us are coming out again and we are buzzing off each other’s music which is a wonderful feeling.
Aside from Glastonbury last year what have been the highlights since you started playing together again?
For sure Glasto last summer was incredible. We have so far done a summer Pacha Ibiza show and a couple of small London gigs for fun! We are saying no to a lot of options at the moment and keeping it simple.
Tell us about the boat party in London you have coming up.
We have decided to throw a one off party on Saturday October 13th on the Dutch Master from 7pm till 11pm on the Thames. It’s a fantastic boat with an amazing sound system. We always love a good boat party.
Can we expect any new music from you both?
There are no plans for the studio right now as we are both very busy with other projects but it is possible we may get the itch.
Limited tickets are still available for Layo & Bushwacka’s Thames boat party on Saturday October 13. Click HERE for more details
