From Joe Exotic to Elvis Presley - meet the DJ bringing themed discos to the streets of Sunderland

With dress-up outfits from Joe Exotic to Elvis Presley, grandad Brian Smith certainly knows how to put on a good show.

The 55-year-old, of Dene View Crescent, has been hosting a Saturday night disco every week since lockdown began.

Brian and wife Brenda blast the music from their garage and get the party started from 6.30pm to 10pm every Saturday.

Brian, who runs business Beatroute Disco, has spent decades doing parties and weddings.

But now he is spinning the decks for the whole street to enjoy, while getting dressed up as iconic figures to go with each week’s theme.

He said: “I have done the likes of a 70s night, 80s night and we did a bingo night last week.

“I even did Tiger King and got dressed up as him when the show was in the news at that particular time.

“I was due to retire from my mobile disco business when lockdown began.

“I have been a DJ for years and had a few final bookings before I retired this year, but when everything happened, the events had to be postponed, so I have booking for next year now.

“Retirement is out of the window, but there’s no way I’d let people down.”

Starting out in 1997, Brian was the resident DJ at Ramside Hall for four years and also DJs at Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club.

But since hosting discos from his driveway, Brian has become something of a local celebrity, with neighbours thanking him for his efforts.

Using his automatic garage door as his entrance – which rises as the music begins – the lockdown discos have proven a real hit with his neighbours, who have been dancing in the street each week.

Brian added: “When lockdown first started it seemed to get to a point where you didn’t know what day it was, they were all the same.

“So I wanted to give everyone something to look forward to.”

Brian’s disco is live streamed on his Facebook page and shared across local groups so people outside of the area can enjoy the music.

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