Handsome's Mark Westhenry

A long-time resident of Ministry of Sound, Space Ibiza, and DTPM, Mark Westhenry is back for Handsome's Dreamlover Valentine's party this Saturday. We asked him a few questions.

Mark Westhenry: A Journey Through DJing

What's your most epic memory as a DJ?

One of my most memorable experiences was with the DTPM team. I had the incredible opportunity to DJ at São Paulo Pride. OMG, what an experience! There were twenty-two double-decker buses, and I was on the top deck in the open air. A Brazilian flag bearer led us through the vibrant streets.

You started on vinyl. How has technology changed DJing?

Vinyl mixing is an art form. It offers a very different experience, a manual craft based on physical media. Back then, I had to carry big record boxes for each set. There were no beat syncs or BPM displays. I had to quickly calculate the BPM or time it at home and write it on the sleeve. Many live music edits or disco tracks didn’t run in a metronomic way. I often needed two copies of the same track to loop a sound or used a tape to create effects.

Digital innovations have truly democratized DJing! Software like Serato DJ, Traktor, and Rekordbox introduced features such as sync buttons, hot cues, and live looping. These tools allow DJs to remix tracks on the fly.

The Evolution of Clubbing Culture

How do you think clubbing has changed since you were playing the superclubs back in the 90s and 00s?

Social media and mobile phones have fundamentally altered the atmosphere on the dancefloor. In the 90s, the dancefloor was a private, "off-the-record" space. Today, many clubbers feel that smartphones are ruining the experience. Many use them to film themselves instead of losing themselves in the music. However, if the music is good and the crowd is into it, a dance floor can still be a magical place.

What was your worst/funniest DJ story?

Do you mean other than the usual, "Can you play some 'normal' music? Something I know? Please play house music (er...), anything by Eminem; it's my mate's birthday!”

You asked me about playing on vinyl. One Saturday evening, I was on a flight back from Ibiza to London to do the main set in the main room at Ministry of Sound. My record boxes were locked and loaded in the hold, and everything made it through. However, there were two record boxes on the shelf behind the decks, but when it came time to unlock them... no keys! I had to start my set playing from the first DJ’s records until the team managed to get some bolt cutters. Eek!

The DJs Who Inspire

Which DJs are still exciting to you, and who would you go out to see?

Great question! I still love catching up with the Horse Meat Disco boys. Last summer, I was in Ibiza and saw Josh Baker, a Manchester lad who combines some of the old rave sounds with today's beats. I still enjoy hearing Carl Cox, Louie Vega, and Kerri Chandler—the greats!

DTPM was a seminal London queer Sunday party. As one of the residents, what did it mean to you?

I have many fond memories of DTPM, the club, and of course, the people. My big break came when the club started at Fabric. I remember my first set there like it was yesterday. I was so nervous taking over from Alan Thompson, who was a tough act to follow. It was a hallowed space, and I knew this had to be one of the sets of my life. From then on, it became my home for around seven years. The New Year's Day parties were legendary; the atmosphere and the people were amazing. DTPM was like a family, and I still miss it.

Advice for Aspiring DJs

What advice would you give to a young DJ starting out now?

As we've discussed, DJing has transformed into a digital, social media-driven industry. However, the core principles of music selection and crowd management remain key to success. I would say, master the fundamentals and learn to mix by ear. Don't rely solely on the sync button. Create your own unique musical identity. In this era of unlimited digital access, the value lies in your taste and digging ability. Finally, be professional, network (the industry is built on relationships), and never forget you’re there for the crowd—make it count!

Handsome, Saturday 14th February. Free before 10 PM.