Brit-nominated DJ, producer, and all-round legend Will Manning is back with a euphoric summer anthem, ‘I Believe’ featuring the incredible vocals of Matilda Cole.
We caught up with Will to talk Ibiza Rocks, finding hope through music, and how he went from mobile discos to massive mainstages.
About His New Single – I Believe
Congrats on I Believe! Can you tell us the story behind the song—what inspired it?
Thanks! So it’s all about that person who comes into your life and changes everything, you know when you’re “like dating sucks i’m giving up” and then BOOM, there they are. What message or feeling do you want listeners to take away from I Believe?
I really, really just want this to feel really euphoric for people, like they can take on the world. It’s really hands in the air, living your best life with your best mates energy that I’m striving for with this one.
Was there a particular moment when you said, “Right, I need to release my own music now”?
Yeah it was 3 years ago when I was always asking other DJ artists about their journey on my radio show and I realised a lot of them were very similar to mine. A lot of those friends gave me the encouragement to make this a reality, it takes a team and I was very lucky to have a great crew around me from the off who helped me find a sound.
How involved were you in the writing and production process?
This was written on day 2 of a writing camp back in October and I was running in and out of two studios all day. When I went back into this particular one the hook was written and I was like “right, let’s hone in on this, don’t move on from it.” I then helped unlock the verse and spent the next few months after working on various versions of the production, it’s changed a lot since day 1!
Did your experience as a DJ influence the sound or energy of the track?
100%, every time I’m making a song I have the strongest mental image of me on the Ushuaia stage in Ibiza. I have to be really specific about sonic, lyrics and overall sound to make sure I’m always ticking the box of “will this work in my dream set.”
Were there any challenges transitioning from playing hits on-air to creating one yourself?
I think the biggest challenge is changing peoples perception of me. I’m obviously known predominantly as a radio presenter as I’m on air most days but I really want to bring people on my DJ journey also. I’ve been DJing in my bedroom from the age of 5, I did my first gig by age 8… I’ve been doing this a long time. I think we can sometimes struggle in the UK to see people do multiple things and you end up getting pigeon holed. Hopefully the more I release music the more it makes sense.
You had your launch party last night—how was the vibe, and did it feel surreal hearing your own track played out?
It was so fun. Exactly how I had pictured it – fun rooftop, sun out, big tunes and of course my new one playing. I played it in Ibiza a few weeks ago for the first time and it felt like a dream.
On Being a DJ & Career Journey
Take us back—how did your DJ journey begin? Was there a defining moment?
It was extremely primitive, I had two CD players in my bedroom and I used to ‘mix’ from one player to another by literally turning the volumes up and down. Eventually my dad bought me my first decks and by age 8 I was playing local discos and parties for my family friends. It all snowballed into me playing clubs and then getting discovered by a producer at BBC Radio 1Xtra who invited me to do a radio demo… the rest is history!
Do you remember the first time you were live on Capital FM? What was that like?
Kind of, I know it was a 1-6am show that I covered the first time as a little test run. I gave away an artist playing the Summertime Ball before they’d even been announced so I wouldn’t say it was a success but 9 years later I’m still there!
What’s been your proudest or wildest moment as a DJ so far?
Proudest was releasing my first single ‘Don’t’ back in 2023, I never in a million years thought I’d have my own releases, a page of Spotify, people listening to my song around the world… it was a pinch me moment. I’m also just really proud of 8 year old me playing that school disco for the first time, he would not believe where he ended up!
How do you keep your shows fresh and connect with such a broad audience?
I really plan a DJ set depending on where I’m playing and who that audience will be, for example Ibiza Rocks I played to ages 18 all the way up – I’m sure I say a grandma there so I want to keep it in my ‘world’ but also keep it familiar. Radio wise I really have to reach from my experiences and rely on the audience to bring their stories to air also, without them there really is no radio show.
What’s one thing people assume about being a radio DJ that’s totally wrong?
We get to pick the music, we don’t and for good reason. We’d all just be playing out favourite songs and the brand identity would be out of the window.
Artist Transition & Future Plans
Now that you’ve released your single, do you see yourself diving deeper into the music world—an EP or album next?
I really just want to keep releasing singles and build on my fan base, the more music the more I’m going to connect with people, play shows and bring the fans along with me. I’m not sure anyone is interested in an album from a DJ act anymore.
Who are your biggest musical influences, both as a DJ and now as an artist?
I’m constantly inspired by Calvin Harris, his productions are like no other, his hooks are timeless and his music therefore stands the test of time, that’s the dream. I make sure I go and see him play in Ibiza every summer, he’s always been so gracious offering advice on my music. I also love what John Summit has done from bedroom producer to worldwide sensation, his personality shines through which is so important these days too, the same goes for Dom Dolla. A DJ with personality.
If you could collab with anyone—DJ or vocalist—who would it be and why?
Honestly, any of the 3 names above would be WILD. At this moment though I’m flattered by people who want to work with ME. I’m very keen for a Sigrid dance record with me one day, I love her tone.
How do you balance the day-to-day of presenting, producing, and now releasing music?
Super tricky, there’s no off switch until 7pm most days. I wake up, try and get an hour done in the gym as it really sets me up for the day. Then it’s off to a studio somewhere to write for other artists or myself. I then often pitch records out to other artists so there’s a fair bit of chasing and e-mailing around that. For my own release time like now, there’s a lot of back and forth with marketing at the record label making sure we’re across everything, that’s a constant back and forth. Then by 3pm I need to get off to Capital to do my show 4-7pm. By the time I get home I’m ready to just sit and watch Netflix for a few hours and not think about music or the sound of my own voice.
Quick-Fire / Fun Bonus Questions
What’s the song that never fails to get you hyped?
Calvin Harris – Feel So Close
Radio or live DJing—what gives you the bigger buzz?
DJing to an audience is the biggest thrill always
- Vinyl, streaming, or USB sticks—what’s your weapon of choice?
I’d be lost without my USB
If you weren’t in music or broadcasting, what do you think you’d be doing?
I’d like to think I’d be either working behind the scenes in music or a pilot – I have a pilots license so I fly at weekends but making it a job was my backup when I was younger.
Complete this sentence: Will Manning is happiest when…
People are listening to and enjoying his new single ‘I Believe’ out now 😉
https://willmanning.lnk.to/IBelieve
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