SUPERSTAR DJ, a producer with an apparent Midas touch and one of the best remixers around . . . so what the hell is Mauro Picotto doing spending New Year in Blackpool?

No disrespect to the Tower-dominated seaside resort, but when it comes to living the DJ high-life, Blackpool won,t top many lists.

But that doesn't stop Mr Picotto looking forward to his New Year's Eve date at Cream at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool.

"To be honest it probably is the strangest place I have played at New Year," Mauro told Club Culture.

"I have never been to the British seaside before so it will be something different. All I know about Blackpool is people have lots of fun there and I'm sure that's what we will have on the night."

Turin-born Mauro, 35, headlines an all-star cast of DJs performing until 6am on January 1.

His place at the top of the list is well deserved. His DJ career can be charted back to the Italian dance scene in the late 1980s.

In the time between then and now, Mauro's productions have stormed the national charts in Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, France and of course the UK. Everyone from Josh Wink to U2 has been remixed my Mauro, and this year he delivered one of the defining albums with The Others.

He also struck another Top 40 hit -- having previously done the same with Lizard -- with Pulsar 2002.

Such work in the studio has restricted his time to get out and perform, leading his website to proclaim that he "is selective as to where he plays and performs at the best clubs and events in the world."

Pigeon-holing him into a genre seems to have even the most ardent dance follower stumped. European Tech Trance is one suggestion, with words like techno, hard house and funky also popping up.

As for his set in Blackpool, Mauro chooses the word energy.

He said: "The most important thing they should expect is lots of energy, when the people give me energy I like to give it back to them.

"On the other hand, what I expect from the crowd is for everyone to enjoy themselves which I'm sure they will."

Giving people a boss New Year's Eve to remember is also high on his agenda, reflecting the good fun he had as a clubber back in Italy.

"New Year is a special time for everyone so it always has been and always will be an honour to play at Midnight.

"I spent most of my past New Years in Italy, Switzerland, Germany -- mostly places in mainland Europe."

And his appearance in Blackpool may be his last in the UK for a while, with Mauro looking to spread his brand of energy across the globe. I want to concentrate on more international markets. For example I am playing a lot more in North America, South America, Asia but also a lot of Eastern European countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia and Romania.

"These are all traditionally techno territories and I'm really excited about playing new clubs. I am also setting up Meganite. Meganite is a mini residency concept that we are launching around the world. The reason behind this is so that I can play my favourite clubs/cities and build up a more regular rapport with my fans in these clubs.

"It's also going hopefully put a bit more regularity into my life, for example I know next year I will be in New York four times, Japan four times, Miami four times, Athens four times and so on instead of aimlessly travelling all over the world."