NEARLY four decades into his career, Judge Jules remains one of the most enduring and adaptable figures in dance music.
Since first stepping behind the decks in 1987, he’s been a defining force in club culture, from shaping generations through residencies on Kiss FM and BBC Radio 1 to selling out the world’s biggest festivals and clubs.
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His weekly Global Warm Up show reaches listeners in over 50 countries, cementing his role as one of electronic music’s most trusted tastemakers.
But in 2025, Jules is far from resting on a legacy. With a calendar packed with Ibiza to UK festival gigs and orchestral performances to his 10-piece live band project, he continues to push the boundaries of what a DJ can be.
“I’m still very grateful that I’ve made a lifelong career out of something that, for many people, is only a hobby,” he says. “The thrill isn’t just the gig, it’s the travelling, the expectation, the sitting in your record room thinking about what you’re going to play. No two Friday or Saturday nights are ever the same.”
The live band, Judge Jules: Live, is a concept he developed to fuse the energy of musicianship with the creativity of DJ culture. “Every track is a mash-up of different bits of different tracks, put together in DJ style,” he explains. “Each musician gets their own moment to shine, something an orchestra can’t do because they’re tied to a score.”
His recent travels have taken him from a sold-out tour in Australia to Dreamscape in California, where he says international scenes each have their own strengths. “Australia reflects the UK musically and culturally, while the US has real strong epicentres of dance culture, especially along the west coast. The greatest joy is being invited as the guest of people who really know their local scene.”
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Judge Jules live at Luminosity Beach Festival 2025
Jules’s long-standing relationship with Ibiza continues, though he acknowledges the island has changed dramatically. “It’s a bit more corporate than it once was,” he says. “When I first went there, it was freer and easier, nothing really closed. Prices are now hugely inflated compared to other parts of Spain. With venues like [UNVRS] adding more capacity but no more hotel beds in peak season, it’s an interesting conundrum.”
On the airwaves, his Global Warm Up show reaches audiences in more than 50 countries every week, a platform he approaches with the same mindset as live DJing. “Freedom with responsibility should be the mantra of all specialist radio DJs,” he says. “You can’t simply go off on a tangent without looking at the crowd, even if that crowd is listening at home.”
Away from the decks, Jules works as a music lawyer, representing many of the world’s top DJs and emerging talent. He warns new artists about the danger of rushing into deals. “People are so desperate to get into the industry they sign without advice. I often have to pick up the pieces, but sometimes it’s impossible to help once they’ve signed something really binding.”
When asked how he stays relevant, Jules rejects the idea of reinvention. “It’s more about evolution,” he says. “Tracks are shorter now, so DJs have to play more music per hour. You have to adapt while keeping your personality.”
Through it all, the spark that drew him to DJing in the first place remains. “You’re only as good as your next gig,” he says. “Treat every gig as if it was your first. After all these years, the buzz hasn’t gone, it’s grown.”
Read the full interview with Judge Jules at The Night Bazaar HERE.