We Interviewed Norberto Loco, World Record-Holder for Longest Marathon DJ Set
Eight days. 200 hours. That’s how long it took Norberto Loco to break the Guinness World Record for longest marathon DJ set. He spent months preparing for the grueling endeavor, which took place at Dublin’s Underground Temple Bar from November 19–27, 2014. When the power went out at the 140-hour mark, “I thought it was game over,” he confesses. Still, he persevered, even raising money for the Temple Children’s Hospital in the process.
How did you prepare for your marathon set?
I spent seven months preparing by going to the gym and eating a special diet of chicken, vegetables, spices and no sauces. I also did trial runs DJing for 72 hours. Even though I consulted with nutritionists, trainers and doctors, nobody had ever prepared anyone for this type of challenge, so it was more a question of me preparing myself. Four months before the event, I stopped drinking alcohol, Red Bulls and any other type of drink, to make sure I was fully ready.
How did you manage to stay awake for eight days?
For every hour I DJed, I got a five-minute break, which I could accumulate and combine. After eight hours, I would accumulate a 40-minute break, during which I could take a quick nap, shower and use the toilet.
When the power went out at the 140-hour mark, “I thought it was game over,” he confesses.
During your set, you got your blood pressure taken. What were the medical personnel on hand for?
After so many hours in a nightclub without daylight and fresh air, they had to check if my body was reacting okay. Every 12 hours, they would quickly check my blood pressure and heart rate. They didn’t report any problems whatsoever; they said I was just like a machine.
The power went out during your set. What happened then?
It happened at the 140-hour mark, and I thought it was game over. My girlfriend and friends called the record book people, who said if I had minutes saved up as my break minutes, and if the power came back before those minutes were over, I would be fine. When the blackout happened, I ran back to my room, sure that it was over. At that point, I had one hour saved up, and it took 45 minutes to repair the power. I was napping when my friends woke me up and told me the good news.
What was the hardest part about breaking the record?
The last two days were definitely the hardest. I was getting dizzy and didn’t really know where I was at times. The last 20 hours before I beat the record were also hard, but after I beat the record and went on to 200 hours, it was much easier—because I knew no matter what happened, I could finish any time and the record was mine.
What were people’s reactions to your achievement?
Some people commented on the livestream, saying what I was doing was stupid or unnecessary. Of course, everyone thought I was on drugs; lots of people asked what I was taking. I was never taking drugs, and it’s funny: You would think people would realize you’re not supposed to take drugs for eight hours straight—especially when trying to break a world record.
The last two days were definitely the hardest. I was getting dizzy and didn’t really know where I was at times.
How did you officially get the record?
My girlfriend, friends and family were at my set from day one, looking after everything and making sure I was following the rules. There was loads of paperwork to do; we took around 20 kilos of paperwork to the London Book of World Records, plus the video livestream was on a terabyte hard drive. They are very strict, so a lot had to be done for the record to actually be accepted. I’m really grateful for my girlfriend, my family and friends that came out to support me, as well as my sponsor, DK House of Fashion.
You’re currently a resident DJ at some clubs in Dublin. What’s next for your career?
I’m hoping the record will open some doors for me. Since breaking the record, I produced my first single, “On Your Mind,” which is on iTunes. I want to get more involved in producing and set up some tours in different countries, like America.
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