Mark Knight will take the stage during UNDER’s Café Mambo Ibiza event this weekend, and he swung by to share some insight and spin a mix!
When you look at the lengthy run of house music, there are plenty of pioneers who deserve a mention, and one is Toolroom boss Mark Knight. For over two decades, he’s been at the forefront of bringing dancefloor-ready sounds to the masses, doing everything from producing and performing to running a label and more during that time.
While Mark Knight might be found playing in different countries around the globe, when he returns to his home in the UK, the dial gets turned up a notch. That’s exactly what UNDER had in mind when the collective booked him to play their Café Mambo Ibiza event, which is set to take place beneath the Nene Parkway Flyover in Peterborough on May 3. He’ll be performing a classics-fueled set at the show, celebrating everything there is to love about the iconic venue on the White Isle, but before he takes the stage, he swung by to chat.
This upcoming show is in an unconventional space, which is something that speaks to the original ethos of raving. To Mark, this embodies that spirit. “Dance music, at its core, has always been about reclaiming spaces, giving new life to places where you wouldn’t typically expect to find that energy,” he shared. “It takes me right back to the early days, the original ethos of raving, finding somewhere off the beaten path, and just creating something special out of nothing.”
UNDER has tapped into that [ethos] beautifully here. It’s got that rawness, that unpredictability, which, for me, is a massive part of what made dance culture what it is. I love polished clubs, too, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something different about stepping into an unconventional space and feeling that buzz of the unknown.
Mark Knight
The takeover is billed as “Classics Under The Bridge” and will be a nod to the legendary tracks that stood the test of time and helped shape the scene’s landscape. That means that Mark Knight and others are digging deep into their crates for some true gems. “[My set] will definitely include some of the records that really shaped my sound,” he said. “Big house anthems, some of those seminal Toolroom moments, and a bit of that soulful, funky edge that defined the earlier part of my career and is continuing to influence it now, especially with my Fool’s Paradise label.”
While this Café Mambo Ibiza event is taking place in the UK instead of its home on the White Isle, the incoming summer months have been on the mind as well. To Mark Knight, the picturesque cafe is an “iconic place that transcends just being a venue,” but it’s also so much more.
[Café Mambo Ibiza] is part of Ibiza’s DNA. The sunsets, the energy, the community, it’s magical. Playing there taught me a lot about how to craft a set that isn’t just about banging out tunes, but about building a real emotional journey. Especially those sunset sets, you’ve got to be sensitive to the moment, read the crowd, let the music breathe. That’s massively shaped the way I approach DJing even now. Plus, being surrounded by legends, seeing how they worked the room… it’s a priceless experience.
Mark Knight
That venue has long been a home for many DJs, like Mark Knight, even as the tides have come and gone regarding popular venues and genres in Ibiza over the past few decades. Agreeing with the notion that the White Isle has evolved, he also went on to state that while it might be more polished and commercial in some areas, the spirit is still there “if you know where to look.”
“I do miss the days when it was a bit wilder, a bit rougher around the edges,” Mark Knight said, reminiscing on past experiences. “You could stumble into a random beach bar and hear a DJ absolutely tearing it up, no VIP ropes, no pretense, just music lovers together. There was more freedom back then and less structure. But in fairness, every generation finds their own magic on the island. It’s just about knowing where to find the soul of it, and it’s still there, you just have to dig a little deeper these days.”
Beyond the UNDER showcase this weekend, Mark Knight has plenty more planned on the horizon. He’s taking Toolroom around the world for some special showcases throughout the rest of the year and plans to continue bolstering the next wave of talent at Toolroom Academy. “For me, it’s not just about big shows anymore, it’s about building a legacy, creating spaces where new artists can shine,” he said in closing. “That’s the real excitement. And, of course, plenty of new music coming too, some real passion projects that I can’t wait to get out there.”
Listen to Mark Knight’s exclusive guest mix on SoundCloud and grab the final tickets to catch him at UNDER Presents Café Mambo Ibiza.
