Finally, on the 14th of October, the big day arrived arrived, and despite a lack of sleep caused by my Friday night gig, I couldn't have been more excited. At 6 AM and with a huge grin on my face, I hopped into my van and picked up my mate, Wazzi, who is also my video editor - we were on our way!

We decided to vlog the entire event, capturing the essence of BPM to share with the world on YouTube. Should you want to watch that vlog, head over to YouTube and type in ‘diary of a dj.’ We arrived and of course, like an excited kid on Christmas day, I wanted to get cracking. However, before we could dive into DJ wonderland, Wazzi needed to set up his camera. Seriously, Wazzi? After hours in the passenger seat, I just couldn't wait any longer. Eventually though, we stepped into what felt like Willy Wonka's factory for DJs.

Entering the exhibition space at Cranmore Park made me feel like a kid with a golden ticket. My initial reaction was to walk around gazing at all the lights, lasers, haze machines, speakers, controllers, and, of course, KIT, KIT, and even more KIT! Plus, the atmosphere was incredible, there was always someone performing on the PLAY stage, pumping out tunes that had everyone grooving. It was clear that the DJs who performed on stage were there because they deserved it – they were fantastic!

Wazzi followed me with his camera, capturing every moment as I bumped into old friends and made new ones. And I took every opportunity I could to touch and admire all the shiny DJ gear on display. Before arriving in Solihull, I had set myself a rule – I wouldn't buy anything; I'd just look. That rule didn't last long, I very quickly found myself drawn to the AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ headphones. I'd heard good things about AIAIAI but had never seen their products in person. I picked up a pair and was immediately impressed by the comfort. Even more impressive was the fact that I couldn't detect any latency in the sound when I tested a drum pad. I had been on the hunt for a new pair of headphones, and these ticked all my boxes. So, now I have a set, though I had already broken my rule.

A full roster of seminars led by experts in their field were on offer for the whole weekend, providing all who watched with valuable insights to help improve their businesses. I attended several and took away some great points that I plan to apply in my own business.

A highlight was the dedicated PA demonstration room. This provided a unique opportunity to hear different PA at regular intervals, something that can be challenging to achieve when spending significant money on what is one of any DJ’s main purchases. It was fun to immerse myself in the sound and really get a feel for what would work best for my gigs.

I also ran a fun competition over both days. I mashed up nine Mastermix DJ tracks and whilst walking around, handed out a pair of headphones in my own special version of ‘name that tune.’ Participants received points for identifying the track title and artist. And thanks to CHAUVET DJ, my prize was a fantastic Gobo Shot. This was a great way to interact with everyone and have a good laugh.

We had three winners, all with 11 points each, who all happened to be TikTok users, @bigandydj, @djdannicholson, and @adamsnowball. And all three of our winners proved to have huge hearts - they generously decided to give the prize to an up-and-coming DJ on TikTok rather than do a tie breaker. So, now there's a giveaway on my page, we are thrilled to support emerging talent.

After a long first day, Wazzi and I headed to our hotel, which was conveniently located nearby. We had some dinner and enjoyed a relatively early night, a rare luxury for a Saturday evening. I missed the after party, but from what I heard and saw on social media, it was a massive hit! Featuring guest DJs and a free bar, it will have been too much for both of us who needed to relax and absorb all we had seen and done.

On day two I wanted to make the most of my time and dive deep into all the DJ equipment on display. My first day was all a bit of a blur, now that I had a better idea of the lay of the land, I wanted to get hands-on with all the gear I wouldn't typically have access to. Wazzi accompanied me on the first lap, and we went live on TikTok to engage our audience and show them the exciting DJ equipment. After that I put the camera down and took time to myself to explore and experiment with all that was on display.

The best part of BPM for me was meeting people that follow and support my social media pages. It’s a weird feeling when people know you but you only know their usernames. However, during the weekend I managed to put faces to those usernames and connecting with everyone in the flesh was great.

I can’t individually name all of the people, products and brands that deserve a shout out for all of their efforts putting that show together, because we would be here all day and I wouldn’t want to miss anyone out. But you know who you are. You rock - you smashed it!

Looking back on my visit, I wouldn't change a thing. I absolutely loved my very first BPM experience, and I plan to attend every year as long as I'm available. The feeling of being surrounded by fellow DJs, the incredible gear, the inspiring seminars, and the overall vibe was an experience like no other. If you're a DJ and haven't been to BPM yet, you're missing out on a slice of DJ paradise. I can't wait for the next show – and I hope to see you there too!