SOUND TRACKS
67-year-old DJ loves rail travel so much he samples trains in his techno sets
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FOR MOST dance fans the best raves happen in a club or in their bedroom with headphones on – but for Nick Hayes it’s a techno set on dustbins in his garden.
The amateur music maker was inspired to turn his backyard into a DJ booth by chance when dealing with the rubbish.
‘It’s great – you can be spinning decks in London in no time’
IN THE MIX Nick works on his music during train rides
“One day I’d just put the recycling out and I had these empty bins, so I thought: why not?” says Nick, 67, who now spins decks professionally and uses LNER trains to get him to gigs.
“It was sunny and I just fancied setting my gear up outside – my wife Yvette was at work so she couldn’t tell me off!”
Putting his synthesizers and drum machines on a couple of upturned bins, Nick filmed himself doing a banging techno session and shared it on YouTube.
“I gravitated towards techno because it gives me energy,” he reveals.
That snap decision to play a one-man garden gig eight years ago changed the retired car parts salesman’s life for good.
The video made him an internet star and DJ-ing – once just a pastime – became his new career.
Some 6 million views later, Nick, aka @the_last_DJ_, has 216,000 Instagram followers and he performs sets across the country.
From his home in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Nick uses LNER train journeys to chill, but also to plug in to his clubbing passion.
He takes advantage of the free time to fine-tune his set for a show. “I work on mixes and get in the zone for a gig,” he explains.
“It’s great – you can hop on a train and be spinning decks in London in a few hours.”
Nick’s LNER train journey from Wakefield to gigs in London is two hours and two minutes* – around half the time it takes by car.
And the train transports him to the heart of the city – no traffic jams, no refuelling stops, no search for parking.
With frequent services every day, LNER gives passengers the flexibility to travel when they want.
For Nick, there are 64 LNER trains daily (operating Monday to Friday) between Wakefield and London King’s Cross.**
We asked comedian and Celebrity Big Brother star Donna Preston to join him as he headed to London for a set, to chat about why trains and techno are the perfect mix.
“There’s so much you can do on a train because you’re not distracted by driving,” he says.
EXPRESS YOURSELF Downtime allows Nick to get in the zone for gigs
There’s a plug socket at every seat, so Nick finds it easy to do final prep for his DJ shows during the journey.
“We’re talking techno – hard-beating, pulsating, dirty, filthy drums and everything that goes with it,” he tells Donna, smiling.
“Oh my God, I love that!” she says.
But Nick likes to chill as well as work when on board. “You can listen to music, update your socials using the LNER wi-fi, and you can relax.”
Like Nick, Donna is no stranger to travelling smoothly by LNER to her shows. “I’m from York, you’re from ‘Shakey Wakey’, it’s so easy isn’t it?” she points out.
“Edinburgh, Leeds, London… wherever I’m playing, I go by train,” Nick agrees.
“In fact, I live near a railway station so sometimes when a train is going by, I put those sounds into my music!”
Donna also has a very handy tip for her fellow passenger. “Do you book your train tickets in advance?” she asks.
Nick shakes his head.
“Right, you’re missing out, Nick,” beams Donna, “because on average you can save 47 per cent on the cost of your tickets with LNER if you book at least four weeks in advance.”***
Nick is delighted with this news. “That’s great, because a lot of my dates are booked three or four months in advance. I can save money!”
“Oh yeah,” agrees Donna. And there’s another way to make your journey even better – with the ‘Let’s Eat At Your Seat’ service onboard, you can order food and drinks straight to your seat – no need to move a muscle.
“You enjoy your journey today,” she tells the DJ. “Treat yourself to a coffee, whatever you wanna do.”
Whether, like Nick, it’s the beats that get you going, or your passion is sport, live shows or something more foodie or fashion focused, LNER takes you to buzzing destinations where it’s all happening.
And if you’re going with family or a bunch of mates, with LNER Small Groups Discount, groups of three to nine friends travelling together on the East Coast Mainline can save 20 per cent on their fares.^
THE LNER network connects you to amazing destinations up and down the country – here are this autumn’s highlights
For sports fans there’s plenty of spectacle. Check out A Night At The Darts at Edinburgh Corn Exchange (November 29 and 30) featuring darting superstar Luke 'The Nuke' Littler, or catch some rugby in the Autumn Nations Series 2025, including Scotland vs New Zealand (November 8).
Into cosplay? Then dust off that mask and cape and get yourself to Comic Con Scotland (October 11-12 at Royal Highland Centre).
From Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems night at Edinburgh Corn Exchange (October 10) to Riverdance 30: The New Generation at Edinburgh Playhouse (October 9-11), there’s plenty to listen to in Scotland’s capital.
TV comedy buffs are spoilt for choice, with live shows from the stars of Still Game, The Fast Show, Inside No.9 and Ardal O’Hanlon of Father Ted fame coming to town.
If like DJ Nick, “dirty, filthy drums” get you going, there’s no better place to go than Nightlife upon Tyne.
The city is legendary for clubs: head for Bigg Market or the Quayside, or Digital in Times Square.
For dining out you can savour everything from traditional British dishes at Blackfriars, an amazing 13th-century former friary, to Lola Jeans for cocktails and burgers in what resembles a Hollywood starlet’s boudoir.
Love a good browse? Don’t miss the Quayside Market on a Sunday (9am-4pm), selling crafts, clothes and much, much more.
For a wildlife adventure with a difference, there is one can’t-miss half-term ticket: Steve Backshall’s Deadly Live! at Utilita Arena on October 24.
Is fashion your passion? Then hit the boutiques around Leeds’ magnificent Victoria Quarter and its original 19th-century “malls”: Queens Arcade, Thornton’s Arcade and Grand Arcade.
And don’t forget to swing by the chic, contemporary Victoria Gate.
By night, Leeds knows how to put on a show. The charming City Varieties Music Hall is busy with all sorts, from comedy to gigs.
The Hyde Park Picture House – Britain’s last gaslit cinema – is a must for cinephiles.
For big productions, head to First Direct Bank Arena, where autumn must-sees include Hans Zimmer Live (November 23) and Pete Tong: Ibiza Classics (December 10).
Need to catch your breath after all this buzz? Follow the city’s canal path walks leading you out to explore “God’s own county”.
Gear up for big pitch action! The England men’s football team take on Serbia in a FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier (November 13) at Wembley Stadium, while the Lionesses play a friendly against China there on November 29.
The Traitors Live Experience in Covent Garden – an immersive version of the TV hit – has released bookings for its new season from November to January.
Movie lovers shouldn’t miss the charming Royal Albert Hall series, with a live orchestra playing film scores at showings of classics – including Back to the Future (October 26) and Home Alone (December 13).
For fashionistas there’s a triple bill of dazzling exhibitions.
Sashay along to Marie Antoinette Style at the V&A (September 20-March 22); Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World at the National Portrait Gallery (October 9-January 11); and Blitz: the Club that Shaped the 80s at the Design Museum (September 20-March 29).
LONDON
RAVE ON
Party the night away in one of the city’s clubs
LEEDS
EDINBURGH
FIND OUT MORE
4 hotspots for fun
days and nights out
When donna met nick
Watch DJ Nick Hayes tell comedian and fellow northerner Donna Preston about his passion for crafting tunes and taking train trips with LNER
BEATS TO SEATS Nick Hayes and Donna Preston ride the rhythm
*Train journey time is based on most common journey time between Wakefield Westgate and London King’s Cross Station, Monday to Friday with LNER. Car journey time is based on the fastest route between Wakefield Westgate and London King’s Cross Station, Monday to Friday. Source: Google Maps using ‘typical traffic’.
**Number of midweek daily services valid from May 18 - December 1 2025. Subject to change after this time period.
***Saving average based on all Standard Advance tickets bought on the LNER website and App at least four weeks before you travel vs buying any Standard ticket on the day you travel.
^20% discount is subject to availability on LNER services only when booking as a group of 3-9 online. Not valid in conjunction with any other offers or with Railcard discounts.
For full T&C details, visit lner.co.uk
SEAT TREATS Donna is a big fan of the onboard coffee and snacks
NEWCASTLE
MALL CRAWL
Make time for retail therapy
Start planning your autumn adventures and book for advance savings at lner.co.uk*
POWER TRIP
Heroes assemble at Comic Con Scotland
FRILLS AND THRILLS
Explore Marie Antoinette’s fashion legacy