All in the mix: Will Manning on sound, style and self-reinvention

From chart shows to songwriting camps, Will Manning is redefining his creative lane. With honest lyrics, bold beats and growing fashion flair, he’s building a career that balances intuition and impact.

When your career starts in a mobile disco and takes you to Capital Drive, Ibiza Rocks and a BRIT-nominated single with over 400 million streams, it’s fair to say you’ve earned your place in the spotlight. But for Will Manning, this moment feels less like a peak and more like a new beginning. The longtime radio presenter is now stepping into his own as a producer and songwriter—and doing it on his own terms.

“I was so encouraged by fellow DJ/producers I’d interview every week on my chart show,” he recalls. “Their stories were so similar to mine—bedroom DJ, mobile discos, club nights. I thought, if they can do it, why can’t I?” With the same mix of hustle and heart that brought him his dream jobs in radio, Will started joining studio sessions and found that songwriting came naturally. “It all snowballed,” he says. “I just had to give it a go.”

That leap of faith led to co-writing tracks like ‘Kisses’ (Bl3ss & CamrinWatsin), a breakout hit that turned into a streaming juggernaut. Still, he stays grounded. “A hit like that is every songwriter’s dream, but they’re rare,” he admits. “I was lucky it happened so early in my writing career, but I’m realistic—it might never happen again. What matters most is the process. That’s what I love.”

His latest single, ‘I Believe’, sounds like a summer anthem—but carries something deeper. “The only correct answer here is my fiancée,” he says, grinning. “She changed everything for me. Sometimes one person comes into your life and shifts your whole perspective.” The track’s emotional undercurrent, paired with its festival-ready beat, is signature Will: pop with pulse and purpose.

As a performer and broadcaster, he moves effortlessly between radio studios, festival stages and writing camps. “Radio is second nature now, after 18 years I’m on autopilot,” he says. “But a live set takes energy and curation—you give it everything for that one hour. Then the studio? Total contrast. You’re barefoot, chatting, no pressure. Just good vibes. That’s the key.”

Praise from names like Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding and Craig David hasn’t gone unnoticed. “Honestly, it means everything,” he says. “They don’t have to give feedback or shout me out—but they do. They remember what it’s like to start out, and that support builds your confidence. I hope to pay that forward one day.”

Much of his music carries a cinematic sensibility—something he doesn’t deny. “I always picture the stage at Ushuaïa Ibiza,” he says. “That moment when you’ve got your hands in the air, standing next to your best mate—that’s the feeling I want to soundtrack.”

“Radio is second nature now, after 18 years I’m on autopilot. But a live set takes energy and curation—you give it everything for that one hour.”

Will Manning

On ‘I Believe’, that atmosphere is elevated by the voice of Matilda Cole, an artist Will clearly admires. “She’s just undeniable,” he says. “We wrote a killer track within hours the first time we met. We’ve written a few more since, and honestly, I could do my whole project with her voice.”

His influences are varied but anchored in ambition. “Calvin Harris is the GOAT for me,” he says without hesitation. “Those timeless dance records—generational stuff. Dom Dolla, John Summit, MK—I’d love to work with any of them. Hit me up guys, I’ve got tunes.”

Interestingly, his journey once crossed paths with Xenomania, the powerhouse pop producers behind Girls Aloud and Mini Viva. “Funny you say that,” he laughs. “Back in 2010, I toured as Mini Viva’s DJ when I was just 18. It was wild. I got a crash course in the pop machine at a really young age.” A girlband comeback? He’s game. “I’m a pop fan through and through. If there’s a hit to be written, I’m down.”

If he could go back and speak to the teenage version of himself—spinning tracks at local discos—his advice would be simple. “Don’t rush. Enjoy the journey. It’s all going to work out exactly how you hoped.”

As his sound has evolved, so has his style. “I battled with fashion for a long time,” he admits. “I liked so many styles but didn’t know how to blend them. In my teens I was all Abercrombie polos, then all Tommy Hilfiger everything. Now I just want to feel comfortable—and look like me, just elevated.”

That means vintage tees from Soho, relaxed silhouettes, and statement jackets. “My friend says I sandwich my outfits—my trainers often match my shirt,” he laughs. “I love a good baggy fit. Add a great pair of Nike Air Force, some Seb Brown rings, and that’s the textbook Will Manning look.”

In the studio, comfort is king. “Summer? Linen trousers from Wax. Winter? Hoodie and jeans—no restrictions. They’re long days!” On stage, however, the details shift. “DJs are seen from the back a lot, so I like a tee with a bold print there. Or a boxy shirt from Lorenz or Cherry—something that pops.”

And what about launching his own fashion capsule? “I’d be buzzing if that happened,” he says. “White boxy tee, unbuttoned shirt, black jeans, solid trainers, and those rings. That’s it. That’s the signature.”

Whether crafting chart-topping tracks or setting the tone for a festival set, Will Manning is playing the long game—with clarity, confidence, and just the right amount of swagger.