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Drum and bass ride brings rave vibe to streets

Summaya Mughaland
Greig Watson,Nottingham
News image@shotbygenaro DJ Dom Whiting gives a thumbs up to a rider taking a selfie@shotbygenaro
DJ Dom Whiting's post-lockdown brainchild has grown into an international celebration

DJ Dom Whiting has toured the UK and Europe with a massive sound system on his bike to bring people together post-lockdown through cycling.

He has been on a mission to turn cities into a stage with his Drum & Bass On The Bike events - and particularly wanted to come to Nottingham as the previous event was rained off.

On Sunday, Whiting returned to the city and was joined by up to 1,000 people, who set off from Old Market Square and cycled up Mansfield Road, along The Embankment and through the Lace Market.

Whiting said: "It's not like a club, it's not like a festival, it's not like anything. I think that is why it is so special."

Watch: Up to 1,000 people join Whiting on his ride in Nottingham

Whiting rides a specially adapted trike with a mixing deck and radio links to similar bikes carrying large speakers.

He said: "Nottingham is a special place. I was here in 2021 and it felt like unfinished business because it was raining and the ride got cut short.

"A combination of that and the fact my inbox was full of Nottingham is the reason we are back here!"

News image@shotbygenaro DJ Dom Whiting speaking into a microphone leads hundreds of riders through Nottingham streets@shotbygenaro
The ride led cyclists on a route around the city centre via the River Trent Embankment

The riders keep to low speeds with all ages welcome and participants can also walk, skate, or even rollerblade.

"I have just come back from Lisbon. It was amazing to come here and still have a similar energy," said Whiting.

"The ride was amazing, the drivers were loving it, everyone on the live stream was loving it, everyone here was loving it.

"It's quite hard to take it all in. I'm trying to mix, and you have drivers horning, buses horning, air horns going.

"It's only when I watch it back it's like 'OK, that happened' and it's an incredible feeling."

News image@shotbygenaro DJ Dom Whiting in Nottingham's Old Market Square@shotbygenaro
Whiting said it was difficult to take in the scale of the event while in the middle of it

Cyclist Anthony Porter, from Nottingham, was one of the crowd taking part.

He said: "I've followed Dom for years, and when he announced he was coming to Nottingham, I had to attend.

"Me and my friends love being out on our bikes and drum and bass. It was just the perfect blend and such a great day!"

The next event is in Belfast, and Whiting confirmed he hoped to be back in Nottingham next year.

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