The big one!

Can you feel it? Voting has closed, anticipation is building, and the time is close at hand. Who will be voted the world’s No.1 DJ in DJmag’s Top 100 DJs poll 2009? The people have made their feelings felt and the nervous expectation that’s swept the industry for weeks is about to end, with an unforgettable night of high-spirited celebrations, disappointment and controversy, the reverberations of which will rumble throughout 2010 and beyond. Yes, it’s time for the Top 100 party!

London’s Ministry of Sound flings open its doors on 28th October, and this year promises to top even 2008’s road blocked party, which saw hundreds of late arrivals turned away, whilst inside the capacity crowd watched the countdown, hosted on stage by Beardyman and broadcast throughout the venue on huge screens, before partying the night away to an all-star line-up including Deadmau5, David Guetta, Fedde Le Grand, and of course, winner of the number one spot, Armin Van Buuren.

If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from the years of shock results and baffling omissions, it’s that there’s nothing like a good old popularity contest to stir up the various tribes of the clubbing community. Like the Premiership, everyone thinks they know which of the big three is destined for the top spot (even if they wonder who supports them), but the poll always throws up a whole catalogue of stories and successes, as youth and experience clash, and different genres emerge or fade away, making it a unique snapshot of the state of dance music worldwide.

“I was really caught off-guard, because winning it twice in a row is exceptional,” admits current world No.1 Armin Van Buuren. “It was amazing. But the reason for it isn’t necessarily to select one DJ in particular, it’s to have a discussion about dance music in general. When people start comparing DJs, no matter how much you like or dislike that, I think it’s good for electronic music.” 

It wasn’t just the surprise of being 2008’s highest new entry that Deadmau5 had in store at last year’s Top 100 DJs party.

“Someone turned my computer off and it took 15 minutes to reboot!  After that it was a really wicked atmosphere. It’s a great party, because there are so many different styles of DJs playing with all their different fans there.”

For the first time ever, this year’s party will also be beamed directly into your living rooms, courtesy of web TV channel Be AT TV via be-at.tv. Having covered the likes of Space, Ibiza’s opening, DJmag’s pool party at the Winter Music Conference, and every major festival, Be At will broadcast the action in HD on multiple cameras, another clubbing first, including a live set from the world’s No.1 DJ. 

By adding an additional audience of up to half a million online, it takes the action closer to the global community of voters who make the poll so important, and makes this the most highly anticipated countdown yet.

“It’s a privilege to play when you know that the eyes of the world are on you,” reckons house hero Fedde Le Grand, one of last year’s highest climbers.

“Just like the DJmag poll, Be At TV is about showcasing the best electronic music in the world,” adds founder Ray Smith on why they’ve chosen the event for their most high-tech project yet. “Although we will be going live, the content will also be available on demand, so that clubbers all over the world can get involved virtually whenever they like, and attendees can re-live their best bits.”

“The Top 100 DJs has become an internet poll, so it’s great to give voters something back for their time,” reckons defending champion Armin. But does it add to the pressure of going for a third consecutive No.1?

“Of course! There are a lot of DJs in there that I admire. Being No.1 has really opened some doors for me, and I can’t stress how important it’s been.”

Tickets for this year’s Top 100 DJs party are available on the door only, priced at £10, which allows us to give even more spondoolicks to our chosen charity RNID (Royal National Institute For The Deaf). Get there early — you snooze, you lose, as last year’s latecomers discovered. See you there! 

We’re giving away four VIP tickets to the Top 100 DJs 2009 party at Ministry Of Sound. Here’s your chance to rub shoulders with the world’s biggest DJs, producers and industry bigwigs — and, of course, get stuck into the free booze!

To win, answer this question:

Who was last year’s highest house DJ on the poll? Send your answer, full name and a contact number to [email protected]. Comp closes 21st October. 

Send your answer, full name and a contact number to [email protected]. Comp closes 21st October