Anthony Albanese’s alter ego career as DJ Albo
If the rumours are true and the PM steps behind the decks at Kyle Sandlands’ wedding, guests can expect everything from Springsteen and Spiderbait to Taylor Swift, The Killers and Chisel. SEE HIS LIKELY PLAYLIST
NSW
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Meet DJ Albo, out of Parliament House.
It’s no secret PM Anthony Albanese loves his music, often eschewing political spin to make himself at home spinning the decks.
And if the rumours are true and DJ Albo steps up to honour a promise to DJ at Kyle Sandlands’ wedding, you can likely expect a playlist mixing everything from Springsteen and Spiderbait to a touch of Taylor Swift, The Killers, Chisel, and a dose of indie-rock.
In 2019, the avid music fan pulled out his best vinyl for a Friday night gig at the Cottonmouth Records music store and whisky bar in Enmore.
The gig, which launched the annual national charity football match The Reclink Community Cup, featured indie-rock tunes from the likes of Polish Club, Flaming Hands and Warumpi Band.
“Anthony has kept all his vinyl and reckons he can do a full set without borrowing records,” a Labor colleague said at the time.
In 2016, a suited Albo proved he was king of the kids by playing Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off during a DJ set at Annandale Public School.
The Inner West Courier reported that he danced along with the kids to the lyrics “It’s gonna be alright” while spinning and scratching the records before him.
In 2015 DJ Albo stepped behind the decks in Melbourne venue Bella Union during a fundraiser in support of his then political colleague Andrew Giles.
He made at least one fan, with Mr Giles subsequently posting on social media: “Thanks to everyone who came last night, to support Labor in Scullin and to hear Anthony Albanese MP’s tracks. I had a blast and reckon others might’ve too.”
In July 2015 DJ Albo was spinning his favourite tunes at Newtown Social Club, again to raise money for the Reclink Community Cup.
On that occasion, he reportedly played an eclectic mix featuring Midnight Oil, The Killers and Taylor Swift.
And back in 2007, he played inner west DJ, plying his craft at RPM Records in Marrickville celebrating tthe value of independent record stores by acting as a Record Store Day ambassador.
He told the Inner West Courier then that his personal collection of vinyl included Midnight Oil, Bruce Springsteen, Cold Chisel and Spiderbait.
“When you hear a record and get to touch it, read what the lyrics are, read who the engineers and producers were, it’s a very different experience to downloading music,” he said.
DJ Albo said he discovered his passion for being behind the decks during a stint programming ABC’s weekend music video show in 2013.
‘CLOCK OFF AND ENJOY THE MUSIC’
“Music was a big thing. It was a very vibrant time. A large part of it also was the political development and political songs by bands like The Jam and Midnight Oil.”
“It’s a time to clock off and enjoy the music.”
More recently, DJ Albo made a bizarre promise after being invited to perform alongside America rapper Fatman Scoop.
Sky News reported that Mr Albanese appeared on B105 with Stav, Abbey and Matt on Thursday morning when surprise guest Fatman Scoop, best known for his song Be Faithful, also jumped on air.
Scoop said he was “president of party” when he invited Mr Albanese to join him on stage at the Fridayz Live event in November, to which the Prime Minister responded “that sounds pretty good”.
Scoop laid the pressure on Mr Albanese, saying “millions of constituents” wanted to see him on stage.
“I need you to come down and here’s what we’re going to do: you’re going to DJ while I perform. Can you do that?,” the rapper asked.
“All you got to do is put on a cool shirt, take a shower, bring your laptop. I’m gonna show you exactly what to do.
“Can I get a yes?”
Mr Albanese laughed off the request to perform with Scoop, saying “if I can, I will” but he did not know what he had planned for November 11.
“I’ll talk to my people, then they’ll talk to your people,” he said. “It’ll be cool.”
Mr Albanese also said it would not be his first time on the decks, telling the hosts he and his New Zealand counterpart are the only prime ministers who can DJ.
“The last time I was here, just a couple of months ago during the campaign, I DJ’d at the Valley,” he said. “At a club. It was good fun. Me and Jacinda Ardern are the world’s only two PM DJs.”
Originally published as Anthony Albanese’s alter ego career as DJ Albo
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