Recorded with a focus on natural progression over rigid planning, this latest mix from Cornwall-based 

Ben Holtam (better known as DJ BenG) captures the organic energy of a building dancefloor. By eschewing a pre-meditated tracklist in favour of a live, "on the fly" approach, Holtam mirrors the trajectory of a complete night out—beginning with low-tempo, funk-driven grooves before steadily climbing into the soulful house sweet spot of 120–124 BPM. While the set was later polished in Ableton Live to ensure professional-grade clarity and balance, it retains the warm, human character that defines Holtam’s signature sound. Whether enjoyed as a focused headphone session or as a background vibe, the selection highlights his preference for music with genuine groove and soul, transitioning from bar-side chatting to a full-throttle dancefloor where the DJ and the crowd lead one another.

Listen to the mix

What are your highlights of the past year and what is planned for the future?

Last summer I was lucky enough to play some excellent venues and some very enjoyable crowds, which reminded me why I’ve always loved doing this. Those nights where the room just clicks and you can feel people relax into it are always the moments that stay with you.

Going forward, I want to build on that and play it more regularly through 2026. I’m also looking at getting back into presenting again, possibly an online radio-style show or livestreaming sets from home and gigs. I’ve done radio in the past, and I’ve missed having that regular outlet for sharing music.

Tell us something that you know now that you wished you knew when you first started DJing.

When I started, I thought DJing was about playing the right tracks and getting the mixing perfect. What I’ve learned over time is that people don’t remember how technically good you were; they remember how you made them feel.



Reading the room matters far more than impressing other DJs. Sometimes the right record is the simpler one or the one you were not planning to play at all. The crowd will tell you what they need if you actually watch and listen.

What artists have inspired your DJ style?

My biggest influence actually came from radio. I used to listen to Danny Rampling’s Love Groove Dance Party on Radio 1, and that shaped my thinking about dance music more than any individual artist. The show embraced everyone and everything, and the message was simple: togetherness on the dancefloor.

That idea has stayed with me ever since. For me it was never just about specific tracks; it was about the feeling a room can have when everyone is moving to the same rhythm. I could list artists and records, but what influenced me most was that sense of unity and atmosphere rather than one particular genre. I’ve always tried to incorporate that into my own sets by keeping the music warm, welcoming, and accessible.

Talk us through your podcast mix track selection.
This mix was recorded quite naturally. I turned the kit on, picked a few starting tracks, and let it develop rather than plan it out in detail. I like a mix to feel like a night out, so it begins with low-tempo grooves and works its way steadily into the house.



The selection moves through funk- and disco-influenced records into more soulful and funky house as the energy builds. Most of the mixing was done on the fly, so it keeps that live feeling, and then afterwards I took it into Ableton purely to get the sound quality as clean and balanced as possible.

You can listen on headphones or in the background, and it still flows properly.