2012 has been a seminal year for Matthew Charles, he has renewed his love affair with Ibiza, returned as resident at Café Mambo and fine-tuned his production technique, which has already resulted in numerous conversations with high profile labels about a couple of his tracks. As he gets set to return home to Dubai, he faces the challenge of juggling his already busy DJ diary in the Middle East with an ever increasing number of requests for his DJ services in Europe.

Matthew Charles cut his musical teeth in his home city of Glasgow, holding down numerous residencies, including iconic venues The Tunnel and Archaos, while working for UK clubbing bible M8 Magazine. It was through the magazine that he had his first taste of Ibiza in 2001, when a four week sales trip turned into a season flyering and selling tickets for Godskithchen before moving on to work for Roger Sanchez’s Release Yourself party at El Divino, which included décor duty at Café Mambo and selling tickets outside Savannah. Having dabbled in the dance world and enjoyed a season working in Ibiza, it wasn’t until 2003, when Matthew moved to Dubai, that he decided to take up DJing professionally. In 2004 he won the Heineken Thirst competition, chosen by Paul Oakenfold and Daniel Davoli, playing alongside the two judges the following night to an audience of 3000. From this point Matthew’s stock rose dramatically, high profile residencies in Trilogy and 360 followed along with numerous guest spots in the finest venues around the region.

During a chance conversation with Pete Gooding, then Café Mambo resident, at a gig in Dubai, he learned of an opening for a new Mambo resident. Deciding immediately to go after the exclusive residency, he contacted friend and long time Ibiza connection, Charlie Chester, who made the introduction to Mambo owner Javier Anadon. As his guests were arriving in Dubai the week before his wedding, Matt passed them in the airport heading to Ibiza and a meeting with Javier in Villa Mercedes at the end of which he was offered the Mambo residency. In 2006, Matthew Charles returned to Ibiza and a season that saw him play alongside the likes of Roger Sanchez, Erick Morillo, Pete Tong, Swedish House Mafia, to name only a few. The last few years have seen Matthew maintain his profile in the Middle east while working to develop the underground scene in Dubai. Along with a few friends, they created Dubai Underground Music Movement (D.U.M.M.) hosting parties in smaller, intimate venues and offering an increasing fan base a chance to hear quality underground music.

One of their biggest successes is their boat party ‘Never Get Out The Boat’, one of the most popular in the region. Tickets sell out well in advance of every party, resulting in the once fortnightly boat now sailing weekly. He still enjoys playing in Trilogy alongside some of the finest DJs/ producers in the world as well as adding many more venues to his resume, including the likes of Chi Lodge, Blue Marlin Dubai, Nasimi Beach and Sandance Festival. Throughout the region Matthew regularly plays alongside the biggest names in electronic music, including the likes of Sasha, Steve Lawler, Nic Fanciulli, Bookah Shade, Ame, Dixon, Henrik Schwarz, Yousef and Funkagenda. His decision to return to Ibiza in 2012 has proved to be a smart one, capturing the ears and hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to catch a set this summer, Ibiza promises to play a major role in the future of Matthew Charles. Remember the name!

Testimonials:

Yousef
“When I play in Dubai I always request Matt Charles as my support DJ. He not only plays great music but is also a mature enough selector to know how to set the mood, build the vibe and set it up for me and more importantly the crowd. I can’t recommend him highly enough.”

Funkagenda
“Its not often a warm up DJ understands the flow of a night these days. Matt manages to balance early set grooves with big room power and punch to get the dancefloor going. With skills like that I'm sure he'll go a long way.

Nick Warren
“Matt did a great warm up for Way Out West in Dubai.”