A trailblazer with a passion for the job, Arielle Free is putting a spin on life that resonates planet-wide 

Interview: Cheryl Caira 

From the age of 12 and well into my later teenage years, this writer dreamed of being a DJ. “Dreamed” being the operative word: the closest I ever got was closing my eyes and envisioning I had an Ibiza residency as I listened to a Walkman mash-up of the Top 40.  

There are people that actually got on with achieving their dreams, on bona fide equipment rather than imaginary air decks. I’m sitting next to one such example, in all her energy-exuding glory. Scottish DJ, broadcaster and music maestro Arielle Free is back in her hometown of Glasgow for a short visit, and I’m raring to quiz her on a career that’s universally acknowledged to be on the high barometer of cool.  

Before Free arrives, I dance around the room (professionally, of course) to her most recent track release, ‘U Get Me High’. It has hands-in-the-air, 90s rave vibes – a definite feel-good three minutes.  

“I’m known for doing more classic house sounds, but with this one I purposely wanted to lean into that 90s rave piano sound,” she says. “It’s funny, because when you have the song title ‘U Get Me High’,everyone thinks you’re talking about drugs. I’m like: no – it’s about being on the dancefloor with your mate and getting that natural high.” 

Free started DJing in 2012, cutting her teeth playing at festivals around the country. She’s had crowds of thousands bouncing at events like Glastonbury, Creamfields, Parklife, TRNSMT and Tomorrowland, had residencies at Hï Ibiza (voted the world’s number one club for the past four years) and is breezing through the global tick-list of iconic venues. When we meet she’s about to head to Australia, embarking on seven shows across two-and-a-half weeks. Looking at her seemingly jam-packed schedule, you could be forgiven for being envious of the travel and experiences – but at the same time feeling a wee bit exhausted just thinking about it. 

“I love it, because I’m getting paid to visit places I’ve never been before. I was in Chicago recently, which was absolutely amazing. I got to play the ARC Music Festival, and Honey Dijon – who’s from Chicago – was headlining. I was on the same bill, in the home of house music, at the biggest house music festival there. 

“Before I did the early breakfast shift on Radio 1, I was a terrible sleeper. You have to get up at 3am, and I was exhausted, because I was DJing at the weekends until then. The best thing about it was it gave me this amazing ability to sleep wherever. So when I get on a plane, I literally pass out and then wake up in my next destination. So I’m quite lucky – it doesn’t feel relentless. I was on the road for 37 days at one point in the summer though, so I did take a couple of days’ break then.” 

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