Josh Devine’s career is one of those rare modern music journeys that feels almost impossible to replicate. It’s a story that begins with teenage drum covers online and evolves into stadium tours, chart-topping pop, grime sessions, and a growing role in the conversation around music and AI.
Speaking ahead of his appearance at The UK Drum Show 2026, Josh reflected on the early days of his career, when uploading videos to YouTube and linking them through MySpace was his main way of getting noticed. Like many young musicians at the time, he spent hours reaching out to artists he admired — with most messages going unanswered. But a few early connections changed everything.
A local songwriter, Charlie Drew, became one of those turning points. After inviting Josh to play drums on live sessions, that collaboration eventually led to work connected to UK grime heavyweight Skepta. From there, Josh’s reputation began to grow quickly, taking him from local gigs into full touring commitments.
That momentum eventually led to one of the most unexpected chapters of his career: a call to audition for a television performance with One Direction. What started as a short-term opportunity quickly turned into touring with one of the biggest pop acts in the world. Josh describes the experience as surreal — a “pinch-me” period that still feels blurred when he looks back over a decade later.
Alongside this, he had already won recognition through drum competitions and endorsements, building credibility within the wider drumming industry. But it was the combination of Skepta and One Direction that placed him in a unique position — crossing genres and audiences at a scale few session musicians ever experience.
Josh also spoke candidly about the realities of fame at that level, including intense fan engagement and the loss of privacy that came with global visibility. From family members suddenly gaining thousands of followers overnight to hotel moments where fans knew exact room locations, he described an environment that was both overwhelming and unforgettable.
More recently, Josh has become open about his use of AI tools such as Suno. Rather than seeing them purely as a threat, he views them as a creative tool — useful for practice, inspiration, and breaking through creative blocks. However, he is also clear about the boundaries, stressing that AI-generated music should not replace human creativity or professional musicianship.
For Josh, the focus now is less about chasing extreme highs and more about enjoying the process, playing meaningful music, and continuing to evolve as an artist.
His advice to younger drummers is simple but grounded: serve the song, stay visible online, and above all, enjoy what you do — because authenticity always comes through.
