From sweaty underground clubs to massive festival stages, UK-born DJ/producer Viv Castle knows exactly how to command the dancefloor. Now based in the thriving US scene, he’s consistently delivered dynamic sets and releases that bridge House, Tech House, and Techno grooves, capturing crowds wherever he plays.
With his latest single, “Catch,” packed with relentless energy and peak-time vibes, we sat down to chat about his approach to production, the vibrant Atlanta club scene, and what keeps him buzzing behind the decks.
Your new single “Catch” has that raw, peak-time energy built for the dancefloor. How do you approach crafting a track that works in both intimate clubs and festival settings?
For me, a great track needs to have versatility—whether it’s played in a dark, sweaty basement club or on a massive festival rig. I focus a lot on groove and space in the mix. “Catch” has that rolling energy and tension that builds, which works just as well in a small room with people right up against the booth as it does on a festival stage with thousands. The key is creating something that moves people, no matter where they are.
You’ve held down residencies at District, Believe, and Imagine Music Festival in Atlanta. How has playing these venues shaped your DJing style?
Playing regularly in these spots has definitely sharpened my instincts as a DJ. Atlanta has a really mixed crowd—sometimes you’re playing to die-hard house heads, sometimes it’s people just discovering the scene. So, I’ve learned to be adaptable. The energy at District is different from Believe, and Imagine Festival is a whole different beast. It’s all about reading the room and knowing when to push the energy and when to pull back.
The Atlanta scene has been thriving lately. How would you describe the energy of the city’s underground electronic music culture?
Atlanta’s underground scene has this raw, unfiltered energy—it’s got that DIY spirit where people come together for the music, not just for the hype. It’s grown a lot in the past few years, with more spaces supporting house and techno. There’s a real hunger for underground sounds here, and it’s been amazing to watch and be a part of.
As a UK-born DJ/producer now based in the US, do you find differences in crowd reactions and club culture between the two?
Absolutely. UK crowds tend to be a bit more locked into the music from the start—it’s like they’re there for the journey. In the US, people often need a bit more warming up, but once they’re in, they go all in. Also, the club scene in the UK has a stronger tradition of after-hours and late-night raving, whereas in the US, closing times are often earlier, so you have to make those peak moments count.
Your sets have a strong blend of driving House, Tech House, and Techno grooves. How do you decide what direction to take on a given night?
I know a lot of people put a ton of work into making the perfect pre-planned set, but my attempt at that was a disaster. My very first gig was on vinyl, and I had a fully pre-planned set with no cue points—just memory. It was awful. I missed transitions, but I was so focused on sticking to my plan that I couldn’t adjust. After that, I swore off pre-planning my sets—period. Now, even though my sets might not be “perfect,” I can read a room and adapt, which I feel is way more important than flawless mixes that don’t fit the vibe.
You’ve played some massive US festivals and clubs. What’s been the most memorable set you’ve played recently?
You might call me crazy, but if I’m in a small club, with the crowd all around, low lights, and an AC system that just can’t keep up—that’s where I’m happiest. Dark, sweaty, and fully connected with the crowd. That’s where I thrive. Don’t get me wrong, festival gigs are amazing, but my home is in the underground.
With your summer tour coming up, what tracks—either yours or others—are absolute must-plays in your sets right now?
I’m a little shocked at my own answer here because I always considered DJing to be about playing tunes from many producers. But as I’ve evolved as a producer, I find myself relying more and more on my own tracks—not only because they represent my sound better, but because my sets become a testing ground for new IDs. So I don’t play as many tracks from others anymore, which I never thought I’d do. Catch just came out and is a staple in my sets, and over the next few months, Lovely Day, Pull Up, and One Two are scheduled for release—all of which have been tried, tested, and certified as weapons!
You’ve got a solid catalogue with releases on Insomniac, Spinnin’s SPRS, Diynamic, and Circus Recordings. Do you tailor your DJ sets around your productions, or do you adapt based on the crowd?
I do dig for new tunes and new producers, but overall, I play mostly my own tracks. That said, my thumb-drives usually have 100GB of music—I could easily slip into a disco house or ’90s trance set if the mood took me.
You’ve been in the game for a while now—what advice would you give to up-and-coming DJs trying to secure residencies and break into the scene?
Be present in the scene—go to the nights you want to play, meet people, and support other DJs. Also, don’t just rely on online mixes—play out as much as you can, even at smaller venues or opening slots. Most importantly, understand that while music is fun, the industry side is tough. You have to be ready for the rejection and frustrations that come with it. It’s easy to get bogged down and feel discouraged in an industry that should be giving you life.
Beyond “Catch,” what’s next for you? Any major gigs, collaborations, or projects in the works?
There’s a lot coming up! I’ve got a single dropping on Pablo Say’s Say Musick label on May 2nd, which I’m really excited about. Plus, more releases on V55records and a couple of collaborations in the works (which I can’t talk about). Gig-wise, summer is looking stacked, with festival dates and club shows across the US in Chicago, Denver, New York, Toronto, Indianapolis and of course, Atlanta. And that’s not to mention breaking into the EU—this year is going to be huge!
With “Catch” making waves and an action-packed summer tour ahead, Viv Castle is clearly hitting his stride. From intimate clubs to epic festival stages across North America and now breaking into Europe, his dedication to keeping the crowd connected shines through. Stay locked, because it’s clear that his next moves are going to be massive.
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