As Lakefest prepares to return to the stunning grounds of Eastnor Castle from 5–9 August, the line-up promises a vibrant mix of nostalgia, dancefloor energy and eclectic talent. Alongside acts including The Charlatans, Bananarama, Soul II Soul, Madness and The Lightning Seeds, DJ and producer Woody Cook is set to bring his infectious, free-flowing energy to the festival crowd.

Catching up ahead of his set, Cook is relaxed, gearing up for another busy night behind the decks. “Life’s good,” he says simply. “I’ve got a gig tonight, so I’ve just been getting some music ready.”

For a DJ who has become a festival regular, the secret to winning over a crowd is refreshingly straightforward.

“Everyone comes to a festival to let loose,” he explains.

“There’s always that one track that flips people into it—either something really dirty or something they know. But honestly, the main secret is jumping about and having fun. That’s why people are there.”

That spontaneity defines Cook’s approach. While some DJs meticulously plan their sets, he prefers to read the room in real time. “I notoriously don’t plan,” he admits. “Sometimes I’ll have the first track ready just to get into the right headspace, but after that it’s completely dictated by the crowd. I don’t even know what genre I’m going to play—it could be house, garage, jungle, drum and bass… anything.”

That fluidity extends to sneaking unexpected sounds into sets. “Even if I’m booked for one genre, I’ll see how much of other genres I can squeeze in without anyone noticing,” he laughs. “Music’s music—if it makes people dance, that’s all that matters.”

When it comes to standout moments, Cook points to the elusive Gorilla Bar at Glastonbury Festival as one of his favourite crowds. “You can’t get weird enough in there,” he says. “Everyone’s so up for it because they’re just happy to be there.”

But it’s not just the big-name events that leave an impression. Smaller Pride festivals have also delivered unforgettable energy. “I turned up to one and within five minutes people were crowd surfing in a tiny tent at 6pm,” he recalls. “It was carnage—in the best way.”

Offstage, Cook’s love of festivals is rooted in something deeper than the line-up. “It’s not about the artists you see,” he insists. “It’s about the people you meet, the adventures, getting lost. In normal life, everything’s mapped out—you can Google anything. At a festival, anything can happen.”

That spirit of escapism is something he fully embraces: arrive prepared, then switch off from reality. “Once I’m there, it’s just let loose. Don’t think about anything. The real world doesn’t exist.”

Looking ahead to Lakefest, fans can expect exactly that ethos translated into his set. “Energy,” he says. “A bit silly, a bit weird. Some stuff people know, a lot they don’t. For me it’s a workout—hopefully for the crowd it’s the soundtrack to their weekend.”

Despite a hectic schedule that can involve multiple shows in a single weekend, Cook is hoping to soak up some of the atmosphere himself. “There’s always something fun—whether it’s food, a ferris wheel, or just wandering around,” he says. “Lakefest is beautiful and the people are lovely, so I’ll definitely try and get stuck in.”

Beyond the festival circuit, Cook is on the cusp of a major next step: releasing his own music. While he already has material online, he’s working on the less glamorous side of the industry—contracts, splits and sample clearances—before launching properly on streaming platforms.

“It’ll be amazing to go on Spotify and say, ‘that’s me,’” he says. Sonically, he hints at an eclectic blend. “It’s dance music, but it moves around—house, garage, reggae, dub. A bit like Basement Jaxx or Groove Armada—stuff for the dancefloor but also to chill to.”

While many will still recognise him from his appearance on The Circle, Cook is clear about where his focus lies. Inspired by Tyler, the Creator, he’s determined to be known for his music first. “I want to be the DJ on TV, not the TV guy trying to DJ,” he says. “This is my passion—I live and breathe it.”

That passion is perhaps most evident in his connection to Pride audiences, where his DJ career first gained traction. “You’ll have a six-year-old next to a 76-year-old and everyone’s just enjoying it together,” he says. “You don’t get that everywhere. It’s pure joy.”

With that mindset, Cook’s Lakefest appearance promises not just a DJ set, but a full-throttle celebration of what festivals are meant to be: unpredictable, communal and completely immersive.

And if you see him there? “Give us a wave,” he grins. “I might be super focused—but hopefully I’ll see you in the crowd.”



Tickets And Full Line Up Here.