Paul Oakenfold has called for phones to be banned at Creamfields, arguing that clubbers would enjoy the music more if they stopped filming. The DJ, often described as the "Godfather of electronic music," made the remarks ahead of the festival at Daresbury, which is expected to draw up to 280,000 fans.
Oakenfold's stance on phones
Asked whether Creamfields should ban phones, Oakenfold told the Star: "Yes. If you take these away from clubbers, you'll get back to how it should be, and you'll enjoy the time and the music more. Trust me; been there and done it."
He added: "Unless we ban phones from clubs then people won't focus on the music and be in the moment, not filming. But hey, that is the world we live in now."
Creamfields 2026 lineup
Oakenfold has played at iconic locations worldwide and said the atmosphere at events has changed for the worse compared with the 1990s. Despite this, he remains committed to Creamfields, which this year boasts over 250 acts including Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, and Disclosure.
"I have been DJing at Creamfields ever since it began," he said. "It's truly one of my favourite festivals in Britain….they know how to look after the fans."
Other interests and future plans
Oakenfold, a Chelsea FC fan, expressed frustration with the club's ownership: "The owners don't seem to know what they are doing, so how would supporters like us have a clue?" He added that he has been in talks on-and-off with Chelsea to record a track for the team.
Reflecting on highlights from his Perfecto label, which marked 35 years last year, he recalled a show at Clapton Common where the police count was 70,000 people. He also mentioned Ibiza as a special place, saying, "You could never choose one most memorable night. Ibiza is not built for one night."
Looking ahead, Oakenfold said: "I'm more in the wellness space now, and not a partier anymore. I'm looking to launch a whole music brand around it, very soon. There are always personal goals to achieve. There are also a lot of other things to come, but I can't mention them at the moment, and don't want to spoil it."
Creamfields 2026 will celebrate 20 years at Daresbury, August 27-30.
