Mark Knight Talks Longevity, Trust and Soul Ahead of Café Mambo Ibiza at XOYO Birmingham

Undrtone Blog
23 hours ago
3 min read

Man with a serious expression, wearing a white shirt and necklace against a gradient blue background, close-up portrait. — Mark Knight

Few names in dance music carry as much weight as Mark Knight. Three decades in, he is still driving the sound of house forward while staying true to its roots. From global chart success to shaping the careers of tomorrow, his influence runs deep. This weekend, he brings that legacy to XOYO Birmingham for a Café Mambo Ibiza special alongside Todd Terry, Loeca and more.

Tickets: premier.ticketek.co.uk/shows/show.aspx?sh=MAMBO25

When it comes to consistency, Toolroom Records is the blueprint. What began in 2003 as a small family project has become one of the biggest and most respected house music labels in the world. “Honestly, the whole thing feels surreal when I take a step back,” says Knight. “We started Toolroom with next to nothing, just me, my brother and my mum helping with the packaging. It was all incredibly DIY. We would hand-pack vinyl, send them out ourselves, hustle to get DJs to even listen. And now to see artists from all over the world wanting to be part of it, that still blows my mind.”

Under Knight’s guidance, Toolroom has become a global ecosystem. It has been Beatport’s top-selling label three years running, reaches over 16 million radio listeners weekly, and its Toolroom Academy continues to develop new talent from around the world. Knight himself ranks among Beatport’s most successful artists ever, sitting ninth on the all-time sales list.

Balancing history with progression has always been his trademark, something he is carrying into his Birmingham set. “People come to hear those records that defined a moment in their lives, and you cannot ignore that,” he says. “But I also feel a responsibility to push new music and give a platform to emerging artists, especially those coming through the Academy. I see my sets as journeys, and within that there is space for both. If you do it right, the crowd just feels the energy. It is about trust.”

That relationship with the crowd is what makes his DJ sets so special. This weekend’s Café Mambo Ibiza event at XOYO promises to capture that same connection Mambo is known for, even without the Balearic sunset. “You cannot replicate a sunset indoors, but you can capture the emotion behind it,” says Knight. “In a club, it is about creating those same emotional peaks through the pacing of the set. You build slowly, you let tracks breathe, you allow moments of stillness before lifting it again. It is not just banging out tune after tune, it is crafting an experience.”

Knight’s approach reflects his wider philosophy on longevity. “The hardest thing is staying true to your identity when everything around you is shifting so fast,” he explains. “Trends come and go, and the temptation is always there to chase what is hot. But real longevity comes from knowing who you are musically and sticking to it. You can evolve, but the core has to be authentic.”

DJ in black shirt performs on stage at night, surrounded by equipment, with a large crowd under city lights in the background.

That authenticity shines through in everything he does, from Toolroom to Fool’s Paradise, the soulful offshoot label he launched to champion deeper, groove-led house. Seven of its first twelve releases hit No.1 on Traxsource, while his single Fighting Love has broken into the Beatport Top 10. “I wanted to bring back that soul and musicianship,” he says. “There is still such a hunger for that sound.”

When asked about playing alongside legends like Todd Terry and rising names like Loeca this weekend, Knight is calm and focused. “Playing with someone like Todd is a privilege; he is one of the originators. And Loeca brings that new fire. But ultimately, I focus on telling my own story. It is not a race. It is a conversation between artists and the crowd. If everyone is authentic, the night flows beautifully.”

Knight’s connection to the UK scene runs deep. “There is a raw energy here that is hard to replicate,” he says. “People know their music, they are not just waiting for the big drop, they are there for the journey. We have lost some great venues over the years, so it is important we protect grassroots spaces. The culture will not sustain itself unless we nurture it. That is why I have always put time into the Academy, creating pathways for the next generation.”

Man in a geometric-patterned shirt sits on a stool against a pink background, holding his neck, wearing jeans, with a thoughtful expression.

Even after thousands of shows, that sense of excitement has not faded. “It is that sense of possibility,” he says. “You walk into a room and anything can happen. That unpredictability keeps it fresh. And there is still nothing like dropping a track you love and seeing it connect instantly.”

So what is one track he cannot wait to drop at XOYO?

Knight smiles. “Nope, sorry, you will have to come along and find out.”

Mark Knight joins Todd Terry, Loeca and more for Café Mambo Ibiza at XOYO Birmingham on Saturday 11 October. Tickets available now at premier.ticketek.co.uk/shows/show.aspx?sh=MAMBO25.