The Glastonbury stage was the setting for a moment that went beyond just a musical set: Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, and his son Woody Cook joined forces in a back-to-back performance that electrified the crowd under the scorching sun. Introduced as “Woody Cook & Friends,” the two alternated between house grooves, big beat rhythms, and electronic sounds, showcasing not only a family bond but also an artistic synergy that won over the audience. Woody, 24, has repeatedly denied being a… “nepo baby,” a spoiled kid riding on his father’s coattails, yet his presence alongside a giant of the scene like Fatboy Slim inevitably raises questions about the role of lineage in the music industry. Their set was part of a series of father-son performances, inaugurated earlier in the day by Geronimo James, son of Blur bassist Alex James. While Norman mixed with the confidence of someone who has dominated dance floors for decades, Woody let himself be carried away by the energy of the stage, jumping and raising his arms with an enthusiasm that seemed to want to prove something.
This is no isolated case. Just a few weeks ago, Paloma Le Friant took the Tomorrowland mainstage alongside her father, Bob Sinclar, in a set that confirmed an increasingly evident trend: electronic music’s biggest names are bringing their children into the spotlight, turning stages into a kind of artistic inheritance. While some criticize this phenomenon as a form of nepotism, others argue that the new generations have access to tools and knowledge that other emerging artists struggle to obtain. The debate is open: is this an unfair advantage or a natural evolution in an industry increasingly tied to family dynamics? Fatboy Slim and Woody Cook might be the perfect symbol of this transition. Norman, with his legendary career, has built a bridge to the future, while Woody, with his still-developing style, represents a new wave ready to ride his father’s legacy.
The electronic scene, after all, has always been a space for experimentation, both musical and social. If in the ’90s it was the pioneers who set the rules, today there seems to be room for generational continuity—one where…
