[DJs Aiming for a Global Career, Go!] BBC Radio 1 Host Pete Tong Appears at Circus Tokyo in Shibuya on Friday, July 5

Familiar as a BBC Radio 1 host, DJ Pete Tong is apparently coming to Circus Tokyo in Shibuya on Friday, July 5.

Recommending Pete Tong's Japan visit calls for a slightly unusual approach… Honestly, it is somewhat underwhelming for dance music audiences, but tremendous news for producers, I think.

Who Is Pete Tong?

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A post shared by Pete Tong MBE (@petetongofficial) – September 22, 2017 at 2:14 p.m. PDT

Younger people may not be especially familiar with him.

Pete Tong is one of Britain's most famous DJs and has extensive club experience, but his strongest achievements are probably hosting radio and producing and organizing Ibiza club events (All Gone).

Active as a radio host since the 1970s, he started “Essential Selection” on BBC Radio 1 in 1991.

The BBC is Britain's national broadcaster, and BBC Radio 1 Essential Selection was broadcast not only in Britain but in many advanced dance music countries in Western Europe. Of course, it is now distributed worldwide through the internet.

Recently, he has been recreating Ibiza classics with the Heritage Orchestra.

Producers Should Absolutely Go Meet Pete!

These days DJing has become a place to present one's own or one's label's tracks, but originally a DJ's role was to deliver carefully selected cutting-edge tracks to audiences through radio.

Anyone can now broadcast a music program via the internet, but Pete gained authority by spending years introducing dance music through the powerful medium of national broadcasting.

As a result, many famous DJs across genres have connections with Pete, and huge numbers of demo tracks reach him from around the world.

I believe this thinking is sound, and Pete actually said in “An exclusive first interview with Japanese media ahead of living legend Pete Tong's sudden Japan performance” (MIXMAG) (This link was unavailable when checked in October 2026.) the following:

Q6. Please give a message to your Japanese fans.

If you like underground house music and melodic techno, I would love you to come to Circus Tokyo. It is a rare chance to enjoy DJing in an intimate space, and I want to connect with Japanese dance music fans.

Also, if you make music in this genre, bring a USB! I am starting a new label and would like to support Japanese artists.

Quote: “An exclusive first interview with Japanese media ahead of living legend Pete Tong's sudden Japan performance” (MIXMAG) (This link was unavailable when checked in October 2026.)

His DJing and Tracks May Not Be That Special

Honestly, though, I might not recommend it very strongly to people other than producers.

The reason is, I have seen him DJ about twice, and his playing was not that impressive.

The first time, vinyl was still standard at events, but his pitches seemed mismatched.

On another occasion he was using a computer (Traktor), but his playing was sluggish and lacked groove.

I also found footage from Tomorrowland where he makes mistakes with the latest Pioneer equipment, haha.

An old friend told me he was good when playing Balearic House, a House genre with a Latin feel popular in Ibiza's early days…

Paul Oakenfold's current playing also seems unlikely to meet expectations… Still, Pete and Paul are legends among legends who made dance music and Ibiza history.

Japan Event Information

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[07.05.fri “PETE TONG”] Global dance music trendsetter Pete Tong's sudden Japan performance is confirmed!! 🇬🇧Pete Tong from UK🇬🇧 OPEN 23:00 2000yen Before 12PM 2500yen Door #petetong #dancemusic

A post shared by Circus Tokyo (@circus_tokyo) – June 18, 2019 at 8:32 p.m. PDT

CIRCUS presents PETE TONG
2019/07/05

A sudden Japan performance is confirmed for global dance music trendsetter and BBC Radio 1 living legend Pete Tong! Look forward to a legendary night!

GUEST:
PETE TONG  from UK

DJ : 
JAXX DA FISHWORKS
GT

2nd floor:
Cbtek!
STONEVIBES(naka-G/kasapone/kazusa/koichiro)
YAGI SHOTARO
SAKUO(GIRL HOUYHNHNM)
yusuke takayama

OPEN 23:00
Adv ticket & Before 12PM: 2,000yen
Door: 2500yen

TICKET
PeaTiX tickets

Source: CIRCUS Tokyo | Entertainment space