From festival magic to DJ stardom: Adam James takes the stage in 2027

Virality brings opportunity as Adam James prepares to DJ at Boomtown Fair after his heartwarming festival experience.

Told by Casey Vale · 27 August 2026

Adam James, a 23-year-old autistic aspiring DJ from High Wycombe, England, is set to perform at Boomtown Fair in 2027 after his heartwarming festival experience went viral. His father, Andy, shared on Facebook how a group of festivalgoers from Bristol welcomed Adam during his first solo festival outing, inviting him to camp with them after borrowing his tent mallet. This moment transformed Adam's experience from a nervous solo venture to a joyful community celebration.

The family had worried about Adam attending alone, especially since he had spent a year saving for the trip. The emotional impact was palpable; Adam ran to his father in tears, exclaiming, "I’ve found my people, I don’t want to ever leave." Following the viral spread of his story, Adam was reunited with the Bristol group at a local pub, further solidifying those connections.

Boomtown co-founder Luke Mitchell caught wind of Adam's uplifting journey and offered him a chance to DJ at the festival, a testament to how personal narratives can resonate within the larger music community. Since then, Adam, who performs as Adzo, has been approached for gigs by other DJs and clubs, and even received an invitation to join a DJing course through the Pete Tong Academy.

Before Adam's official set was confirmed, his family launched a GoFundMe to help cover costs for their return to Boomtown, showcasing the supportive network surrounding him. This overwhelming response is particularly poignant given the negative comments Adam has faced online in the past, underscoring a vital shift towards acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity in the festival space.