Toby Marks has every reason to be miserable. Not only has he just shortened his appearance to accommodate the following special guest, but he has also had to contend with an inexplicable power cut. The Toby that greets me immediately after the set, however, is in affable mood. He's happy to chat and even apologises for keeping me waiting whilst he visits the production office. "I was a little annoyed when I saw that the official Q guide had me billed as Banco De Gaia." He admits. "If people were turning up expecting to see Banco de Gaia then they would have been anticipating the whole band and not just me DJing." In spite of the hindrances and the incessant drizzle, Toby's mix of trance, house and break beats quickly fills the arena and delights the Glade crowd. "It was nice." He acknowledges. "With a festival crowd you're never quite sure who is going to turn up or what they will expect from you." Toby certainly has an affinity with Glastonbury. When he appeared on the Avalon Stage as Banco de Gaia in 1995, the set went down so well that he played on for half an hour past curfew. That legendary performance also became an album. "It's easy for us as we live just down the road." He smiles. "I just can't imagine not playing here."
	I ask him about the set. Is it representative of what he listens to at home? "To be honest I don't listen to much dance music. I am into break beats, but apart from that not really." And DJing? "It's very different to playing with the band, where you're well prepared and rehearsed. I don't do a lot of DJ sets so it is a bit of an unknown quantity." This probably explains why he opens with one of his own tunes, 'Heliopolis', making himself feel more at home. In addition there are technical issues to be considered. "I keep most of my stuff on CD-R, so if the equipment doesn't play CD-R then you're left with maybe three CDs to make up an hours set from." He clearly cares a great deal about what he does, having just spent the last year getting the rights back to and reissuing all the old Banco' albums. Though live appearances are mainly outside of the UK this year, fans of Toby's music will be delighted to learn that not only is there a compilation CD coming out in September but also that there is a new Banco de Gaia album due out sometime next year. "It's been too long." He reflects. The jumping masses at the Glade this evening would probably agree.
Words and Picture by Jamie Walters.