Interview: Record-breaking gig-goer David James Young

Our own Adam Davis-Powell chats to David James Young:

I have had the pleasure of knowing DJY for many years now.

I originally knew him as ‘that dude at every fucking gig,’ and then became friends with him. Every time we lock eyes at the start of a show, I hear the bellow – “ADP”, we hug, exchange some pleasantries and wish each other well, as we know we’ll cross paths again very soon.

DJY always has a smile on his face, and you damn sure he’ll be at the front row singing along at the top of his lungs. He is a part of the Aussie music scene, and for that, I tip my hat.

He has just broken the Guinness World Record for most gigs attended in 2023. What a legend.
Today, I got the honour of having a chinwag with him.

Tell us who you are and what you do?

My name is David James Young. I am 33 years old. I live in the greatest city in the world, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. I write about the music I listen to. I talk about the music I listen to. I stand in front of speakers where the people who make the music I listen to play the music that I listen to. Just for me. How nice of them to do such a thing. So, that’s me.
How did you get into writing?

I started just out of high school, doing interviews and gig reviews and album reviews on smaller websites. I went to uni for journalism, and when I got out I tried getting “real” jobs, but nobody wanted me. I decided to give the whole freelancing thing a go, and I’ve stuck with it ever since. The teenage dream never ended. You might think that’s sad, and fair enough. But I still believe in this.

What’s the best city in the world and why?

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Come visit and you’ll see why.

First gig you ever went to?

The Cruel Sea, legendary Australian blues-rock band fronted by the immortal Tex Perkins. I was 11 years old, and my dad snuck me into the St. Georges Basin Country Club to see the show. I told Tex Perkins about this last year when I met him backstage after a Beasts show, and he was absolutely rapt. We got a photo together and I immediately sent it to my dad, who was similarly rapt.

Favorite piece of band memorabilia or band merch?

Totally Unicorn, my most-seen band by a considerable margin, gave me a pair of tie-dye undies to commemorate my 50th time seeing them play. I’ve seen them 62 times in total.

Tell us a secret?

I snuck into Fairgrounds Festival in 2019 by using my backstage pass from Fairgrounds Festival 2018. I met Evan Dando and Kasey Chambers and had a great day. Sorry, Fairgrounds.

Favourite venue?

The Enmore Theatre. There’s so much history there. That was the first time I went to a gig in the big smoke of Sydney without a parent there, seeing Death Cab in 2008 with my best friend at the time. It just felt magical. 16 years later, the magic is still there. I always love taking it in. It’s majestic.

Favourite pre-show ritual?

Chowing down by myself in a corner of a restaurant somewhere. Usually Hungry Jack’s, I’m not that fancy, but also love stopping in at Soul Burger, Dopa, Mary’s and the Marly (their Kentucky tofu burger is off the chain). It’s just nice to have a moment to yourself.

You’re sober, right? Tell me why?

Have you seen the price of booze? Besides, shit’s boring. I don’t need it. I never did.

Favourite playlist?

I love going back through my top 100 songs of each year. It’s a little time capsule of what I loved at different stages of my life. I’ll completely forget about a song, and then I’ll find it again in there and it will all come flooding back to me. I’m a total list nerd, so being a total playlist nerd is second nature.

Favourite film soundtrack?

Toy Story. Randy Newman didn’t have to go that hard. But he did. He did it for all of us.

Favourite thing to do, other than gigging?

I am a die-hard fan of professional wrestling. I watch it in some capacity every week. I adore stand-up comedy – my heroes are people like Maria Bamford, Tig Notaro and Daniel Kitson. Comedy in all its forms is a huge part of who I am. I am a permanent resident of both Erinsborough and Summer Bay, and will watch Neighbours and Home & Away every week religiously. I listen to an obscene amount of podcasts. I just finished Princess Peach: Showtime! on the Switch. I just started season three of Shoresy. I’m seeing a bunch of stuff for the Sydney Film Festival. I’m currently listening to the audiobook of Becky Lucas’ memoir. Serj Tankian’s is next on my list. I got shit going on.

Bands to look out for in 2025?

That’s very far into the future. There might be bands that don’t even exist yet that will dominate in 2025. Look for the bands in your local scene started by young people, by queer people, by people of colour, by disabled people. The bands that have something to say. The bands that know where they stand, and want to make an impact. Support them. It’s harder to be in a band now than ever before.

Advice for budding writers?

I’m stealing this from Andrew Denton, who gave the people who worked for him one task: “Tell me something I don’t know.” That’s what you need to do. Find your voice. Find your perspective. Figure out why you feel the way you feel. Tell a story the way you want it to be told. Tell people something they don’t already know. Make what you do count and make it matter. Keep this thing alive.

Favourite sandwich?

A Vegemite sandwich. If it’s good enough for Colin Hay, it’s good enough for me.

Keep up to date with DJY here.

Interview and photo by Adam Davis-Powell.