Episode 23 | Al Gibbs

This week on the Joe Irish Podcast, Joe sits down with legendary Irish DJ and radio presenter Al Gibbs for a brilliantly chaotic, funny, and inspiring conversation.

From pirate radio days to prime-time slots, from carrying crates of vinyl to playing alongside global dance icons, Al opens up about his journey through decades in the music industry. He shares behind-the-scenes radio stories, festival moments, Ibiza memories, and how a brutal hangover sparked the creation of his electrolyte drink brand, Electro Wave.

The episode also dives into cancel culture, generational differences in comedy, balancing family life with a demanding career, DJing in the digital era, and what it really takes to stay relevant in an ever-changing industry.

Expect nostalgia, motivation, laugh-out-loud stories, and plenty of classic Joe & Al banter.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 – Chaotic intro & calendar confusion
01:07 – Sleep struggles & hair transplant chat
02:07 – Remote working & escaping Ireland for a month
03:21 – Balancing gigs, radio & family life
04:54 – “Am I being kidnapped?” – arriving at the studio
07:11 – Cancel culture & comedy in 2025
10:21 – The Ibiza hangover that led to Electro Wave
12:22 – Creating an electrolyte drink from scratch
14:30 – Retail deals, festivals & scaling the brand
16:29 – DJ Academy & mentoring beginners
19:43 – Vinyl vs USB: how DJing has changed
21:36 – How live radio actually works behind the scenes
26:05 – Playing alongside Roger Sanchez
27:24 – Space Ibiza memories & dance music legacy
30:27 – Fame, guest lists & industry politics
35:05 – Winning Young Entrepreneur at 16
36:00 – Pirate radio beginnings
38:18 – Prime-time radio & longevity in broadcasting
40:03 – Finding your “radio voice”
44:02 – Festival season plans & Beyond The Pale