ABSOLUTE.: ‘There’s fire inside me to create a more fun and equal society’
From Torquay to Glastonbury: the DJ and producer talks with GAY TIMES about his “insane” year and finding queer liberation on the dancefloor.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNIE REID
STYLYING AND CREATIVE: LIV LAWRENCE
GROOMING: SVEN BAYERBACH
FASHION ASSISTANT: NICOLE ALONZO
With pulsating dance-house bangers String Theory, Fauna and Stuck in Love, ABSOLUTE. is blazing a trail as one of the most innovative DJs and producers in the UK. As a small town “little queer kid” who would “haggle” for decks to beatmatch to Pete Tong, the London-based performer (birth name Anthony McGinley) didn’t envision a future where he would be remixing George Michael and raving with audiences around the world to his original electronic beats. This year alone, however, ABSOLUTE. has performed at Glastonbury, Printworks and DC10, in addition to touring Europe and the United States. Speaking from Mexico, the Torquanian artist and activist describes his “insane” year with GAY TIMES.
“[I’ve] got to play at so many places that have been on my bucket list,” he says over Zoom, just a few hours after he toured the pyramids and participated in a “drum ceremony in this ancient cave” with a spiritual healer. (He’s come a long way from Torquay!) “Also, I’ve met so many incredible people and we’re created such a nice bond that, not only am I getting to live my dreams, but I’m getting to do it with my best mates.”
Teasing a “next level” 2023 for his artistry, we caught up with ABSOLUTE. to discuss his dance music origins, how he found liberation through queer nightlife and why it’s crucial for him to use all the tools at his disposal to “create a more fun and equal society”.
As I was researching for this interview, I discovered that we were both born in Torquay. I’m a Paignton gal, however…
No way! Look at us, representing the English Riviera. I lived in Paignton for the first 17 years of my life and then I moved to Torquay. Do you ever go back?
All the time, my family is still there so I go back to QED when I can!
No way. I was really close to you. You know Totnes Road? I was five minutes away from the zoo. That’s so mad. No one’s from there!
No one. It feels weird to be interviewing someone who knows of and has most probably been to the Spinning Wheel?!
I know! We need to try and coordinate, then. We’ll have to have a night in the Bay.
