Sydney Drum & Percussion Show Focus: Ben Ellingworth

Acts you drum with: Illy, Warflags, Clairy Browne.

What's your kit set up? Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute in 10x8, 12x8, 16x15, 22x20 sizes. Yamaha recording custom 14x6.5 brass snare as my main and a Jimmy Chamberlain signature as my aux - I swap between this and my Evetts 14x7 jarrah. Yamaha DTX multi 12 module with DT50k and DT50s Yamaha acoustic triggers. All Paiste Masters dark series, 602 and PSTX effects cymbals.

Do you attend many events like the Sydney Drum And Percussion Show? What normally draws you to them? I like to go to as many as I can, I'm always inspired by watching my peers but I mainly dig catching up with mates I've met over the years working in the drumming community and touring circuits, sharing tips and trading ideas.

What are you going to talk about/play at the Show? I'm going to play to some tracks that represent not only my preferred style but that outline the electronic element of some of my gigs. I will go into a bit of detail on that, and a bit of improv soloing as well.

Are you planning to catch any of the other performances or information sessions? If so, what are you hoping to get out of it? I will try to catch as much as I can, it's always a pleasure and really inspiring to watch good buds Stan Bicknell and Lucius Borich. Dave Goodman on the Sunday will be amazing as well.

Are you planning to get any new equipment yourself? What are you in the market for? I haven't got anything in mind, but I'm sure I'll walk around and start drooling over a bunch of different gear. I'm going to stay away from Steve from Evetts Drums as I could be easily talked into another snare.

What advice would you give to a beginner drummer attending the show? Don't compare your own abilities to anyone else's and get overwhelmed, be inspired not influenced, take it all in and get stoked on a community that encourages and shares ideas with one another. Be open to different approaches and styles.

If you could drum with any performer, who would it be and why? That would change on a daily basis, but in this very moment it would be Ice-T in Body Count because I'm listening to the album right now and it rules! There's honestly too many to choose from, too many genres.

When and where can we catch you at the Show? I'll be performing first up at 11am on the Saturday at the outdoor stage and then as a part of a discussion panel talking about hybrid kit playing just after at 11.45am.