Big Beach Boutique: Carl Cox to replace Norman Cook?

| 31 January 2003

Following his 'resignation' from the free Brighton beach party, owing to a combination of issues in his personal life and environmental and safely implications, Norman Cook has lined up his replacement. The rest is up to the council...

In an interview with 'This is Brighton' magazine, Norman Cook has revealed that he will not be doing the Big Beach Boutique again, although he is happy to advise Brighton and Hove City Council, should they wish to stage the event in 2004, and has an suitable heir to the throne in mind.

"I think Carl Cox would be the perfect person to take over from me", said Cook, "He lived in Brighton for 15 years and still lives in Sussex. It might change the atmosphere a bit, though. I think the fact that I'm good natured and kind of goofy affects the crowd. Carl's music is a bit harder edged".

Whilst there will definitely be no event this year, Council leader Ken Bodfish is entertaining the idea of a Big Beach Boutique resurrection in 2004: "We're certainly open to ideas".

Norman Cook gave birth to the event in 2001, his excuse to celebrate the city he loves and thank local people for their support. 60,000 people attended the party, despite torrential rain, and it was considered such a success that an unprecedented 250,000+ turned up on the seafront for the second one, on July 13, 2002. Chaos ensued, resulting in one death, 160 injuries and the beach reduced to a heap of bottles, beer cans and cigarette packets.

Cook was initially blasted by locals and the press, however, as the criticism subsided and he realised that the majority had had the time of their lives, and wanted him to do it again, he came round the idea and decided to hold a public referendum. If the people of Brighton voted 'Yes', Norm was prepared to give it another go. However, the DJ came to realise that it just wouldn't be worth "the grief and worry", and aborted these plans.

"We were really lucky the last time. The more I think about it, the more I think there could have been another Hillsborough. I don't think I'd ever recover from something like that. We were a hair's breadth away from a major incident and I don't think its worth risking it again."

He also appreciates that the next event would be far more controlled and lacking the wild spontaneity of the previous parties, most likely being held in a secure fenced-off area, and ticket-only. "I reckon go out on a high, thank my lucky stars that nothing too serious happened and move on".

Issues in Cook's personal life have also conspired to force a general slowing of his notoriously fast-paced lifestyle and intense DJ workload. He lost a close friend to cancer over Christmas, and his marriage to Zoe Ball is currently in jeopardy. He forsees a change of role to Producer rather than Performer, and is currently enjoying working with Blur on their new album.

Buy the Big Beach Boutique 2002 DVD (£12.99 incl. free delivery!)

Buy the Big Beach Boutique CD (£8.99 incl. free delivery!)