Phil Taggart

Early life

Taggart played bass in the band Colenso Parade from age 15 to age 24. The band went on several tours throughout the UK and supported the likes of Richard Hawley, Dirty Pretty Things and The View.

Taggart started putting on gigs in his hometown at age 16, frustrated at not being able to get into 18+ gigs. Soon after this, he began to DJ regularly at local nightclubs. He then began writing for music magazine Alternative Ulster at the age of 17.

Early radio career

While studying at the University of Ulster, Taggart won the BBC/Skillset Young Broadcaster of the Year award.

In 2008, Taggart helped set up and worked behind the scenes on the Omagh community radio station Strule FM. The station went on to pick up an award at the 2009 Sony Radio Academy Awards.

In 2010, Taggart was asked to stand in for regular presenter Rigsy on BBC Radio Ulster's Across the Line programme after taking part in a work experience scheme. After that he went on to cover on Across The Line regularly.

BBC Radio 1

In December 2011, Taggart became the host of BBC Introducing in Northern Ireland as part of Radio 1's regional output. The programme, broadcast on Monday nights, showcased new music in Northern Ireland.

Taggart also began appearing on some of the Radio 1's national programmes, covering for Sara Cox, Huw Stephens, Dev and Gemma Cairney.

Starting Monday 7 January 2013, Taggart, alongside Alice Levine, took over the prestigious 10 pm-midnight show, Monday to Thursday, on Radio 1. The show was described by the BBC as "an energetic mix of specialist and upfront new music, entertainment and guests."

In September 2014, the station's schedule changed. The 10pm - midnight show hosted by Taggart and Levine was replaced by a 10pm - 1am show hosted by Huw Stephens Monday - Wednesday and The Residency DJs on Thursdays. Taggart then went on to host a Thursday night programme focusing on new music from across the genres from 9pm - 10pm.

With Annie Mac taking over Zane Lowe's weekday programme, Taggart was given her Sunday night show (10pm to 1am). This was in addition to his Thursday night programme (9 - 10pm).

Taggart dropped his Thursday night show in April 2016 and currently hosts the Sunday 10pm - 1am slot in which the first 2 hours are dedicated to playing new chilled out tracks with the final hour concentrating on exclusively brand new sounds. The Sunday show has many popular features such as the Bedtime Mix, Future Firsts and the Sunday Night Support Club.

From Monday 10 October 2016, Taggart presented a new show at the station entitled Radio 1's Specialist Chart, in which the most frequently played tracks on radio 1's specialist shows from the previous 7 days are counted down. This airs every Monday evening from 9-10pm.

Television work

Taggart appeared as part of the BBC Three television coverage of Radio 1's Big Weekend 2013, which was held in Derry. He was also the face of BBC Northern Ireland's television coverage.

On Thursday 19 December 2013, Taggart fronted Christmas on Benefits, a documentary on BBC Three in which he travelled to Bristol to meet a group of young jobseekers, and set them the mission of organising a Christmas party on a benefits budget.

Taggart presented Best Before on Channel 4 in 2015, each episode featuring a guest curator. They included Wolf Alice, Gilles Peterson, Big Narstie, Eats Everything, Naughty Boy and Sleaford Mods.

Hometown Records

Taggart owns an independent record label called Hometown Records. The labels first release was Raise Your Love, an EP by Rhodes on 28 October 2013.They have gone on to sign and release music from Rat Boy, Rejjie Snow, Inheaven, Wildes, Yonaka, Grace Acladna, Speelburg, Love Ssega with more on the way throughout 2016.

DJ Work

Phil is currently a resident at Ibiza Rocks, in Summer of 2016 as well as holding a monthly residency at Koko in Camden. He tours extensively around the country and Europe playing a high energy and versatile style of music taking in the broad spectrum of everything rave.

Slacker

Phil runs a club night in East London called Slacker. It began in June 2015 with the first London gig from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes with a support lineup of Inheaven, VANT and Breakage. Slacker has sold out venues such as Moth Club, Oslo, The Victoria and is currently resident in the legendary London club XOYO. Acts to have played Slacker: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Rat Boy, Blossoms, Slaves, Big Narstie, The Japanese House, Isaac Gracie, Pretty Vicious, Swim Deep, Beaty Heart, Fakear, Bishop Briggs, Day Wave and many more.

Slacker has a residency with Ibiza Rocks Summer of 2016.

VEVO

Has presented many roles for Vevo including their 2016 Lift series, their mainstream brand VVV as well as coverage from The Great Escape and Bestival.