Kai Smith reports

To celebrate 40 years in showbiz, Fatboy Slim is hitting the road in 2026 with his Acidball Room UK tour, with dates across Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, London and Glasgow. I was lucky enough to be invited along on Saturday 7th February, and it was nothing short of unforgettable.

The night kicked off with a warm-up set from Sasha Gigi, a London-based DJ and producer, who set the tone perfectly with a groove-heavy mix of house and tech house. Her set was the ideal build-up, getting the crowd moving early and creating the perfect atmosphere ahead of the main event.

As the clock hit 9pm, the legendary Norman Cook took to the stage, and the room erupted. Backed by striking visuals, Fatboy Slim delivered a two-hour set that celebrated every corner of his four-decade career. From iconic classics to newer rave tracks, the set was carefully crafted to keep fans of all ages fully locked in from start to finish.

What really stood out was how involved the crowd felt throughout the night. Fatboy Slim’s ability to connect with the audience remains unmatched, creating an atmosphere that was welcoming, euphoric, and full of positive energy. Whether it was your first Fatboy Slim gig or your tenth, everyone felt part of something special.

To mark his 40 years in the industry, Fatboy Slim is also celebrating with a book signing tour for It Ain’t Over… ’Til the Fatboy Sings. The book dives deep into his extensive archive of photographs, memorabilia, awards, and personal artefacts. Ahead of the show, he appeared at HMV Vault in Birmingham, where he took the time to chat with fans and sign copies.

He was genuinely lovely, and I had the chance to thank him for the influence he’s had on my life — from inspiring my love of DJing to getting me into radio. Of course, I had to tell him about Brumside Radio too.

If this night was anything to go by, Fatboy Slim is proving that after 40 years, he’s still very much at the top of his game — and absolutely worth seeing live.