Ultra Music Festival 2017 Lineup Miamia
The first phase of Ultra Music Festival 2017 lineup has been revealed. The Miami-based EDM festival will take place in Bayfront Park Downtown during the weekend of March 24-26.
The initial lineup features heavyweights like Justice, Major Lazer, Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Tiesto, David Guetta, Armin Van Buuren, Alesso, Afrojack, and Ice Cube.
Other notable acts include Axwell ^ Ingrosso, Dubfire, Carl Cox, Jamie Jones, Sasha John Digweed, DJ Snake, Steve Aoki, and Tale of Us.
The music festival will feature six stages: Ultra Main Stage, LiveStage, Resistance, I'm In A State of Trance, Ultra Worldwide, UMF Radio, and Oasis.
Early Bird GA 3-day tickets and Payment Plan GA 3-day tickets have sold out. Tier 2 and Tier 3 GA 3-day are available for purchase. For more information or to purchase tickets head over to the festival's website.
The phase one lineup is a great start to an already amazing festival. We can't wait for the phase 2 lineup. In the meantime check out the official flyer below.
[Review] Mad Decent Block Party returns to Chicago
Diplo’s Mad Decent Block Party returned to Chicago despite negative feedback from previous years. This year hosted in Chicago’s heart of the Museum Campus, Northerly Island, Mad Decent definitely received a much needed facelift. On the shore of Lake Michigan, Diplo headlined the event at the First Merit Bank Pavilion. The beautiful city skyline was a perfect match as the background met the sounds of Mad Decent.
Surprise electric Chicago duo artists Louis The Child joined the lineup, making them the only Chicago based artist to Mad Descent’s stop in Chicago. The duo worked the growing crowd with there headlining caliber set list.
The clear fan favorite was pop mega star Kesha. The fans came in droves to see the new leased on life artist. With support from The Creepies. Kesha didn’t disappoint the crowd with her crowd pleasing performance of TiK Tok, Your Love Is My Drug, and Take It Off. Despite her recent legal issues Kesha’s performance speak for itself. Currently on tour, Kesha hasn’t lost her groove leaving Mad Decent fans with a rock out set.
Rae Sremmurd’s short career is met with discussion of their successful hip-hop longevity. The Mississippi brothers have proven time and again their place in today’s hip-hop discussion with record breaking single from No Flex Zone, No Type, and Come Get Her. Festival fans were treated with a hip-hop thrill ride. The non-stop energy seeped through the crowd as the duo of brothers didn’t stop giving an energy packed performance from start to finish. Definitely one of the biggest take away from Mad Decent is seeing these young hungry hip-hop artists.
Mad Decent creator and one of the biggest faces in electric music, Diplo closed off the night. Diplo a true music jack of all traits kept the Mad Decent crowd going into the night with a mixture of electric, hip-hop, and house classics. Diplo’s long list of hit records were present with performances from Where Are U Now, Revolution, and Take U There. The music master had incredibility balanced all type of electric music from trap, big room house, reggaeton, and moombaton.
Minor setbacks from the volume to time in-between sets didn’t hinder the fact that Mad Decent found it’s footing in Chicago.
A true treat Diplo had in store for Chicago was hiss final five minutes of his set. After thanking Chicago for it’s day one fans he ended his set with Chicago house and juke jams. A true appreciation for Chicago's music scene we’d love to see Mad Decent and Diplo come back bigger then before.
Mad Decent Block Party Chicago 2016 - Photos
[Review] Summer Set 2016 brings unforgettable moments
The annual camping festival Summer Set returned for it’s fifth year to Somerset, Wisconsin. Summer Set was a weekend filled of memorable moments.
The camping festival brought out the best in some artist as tents filled the woods and camp grounds with festival goers burning through the three-day festival.
A six hours drive from Chicago, Summer Set brought the same electric and playful atmosphere that were accustomed. With many highlights from the summer coming from local Chicago festivals like Mamby on the Beach, the festival provided one of a kind experiences that made the six-hour drive worth it.
Day 1
The first day was stacked full of incredible performances throughout the day. Festival goers were able to check out early performances from the solid melodic sounds of Mielo. That also included the craziest that is the thrill ride of Porn and Chicken.
Flux Pavillion and Steve Aoki both respectfully, performed their best in recent years. Pavillion, usually a bit shy on the mic, was as vocal as the raving Summer Set crowd. Aoki a stable in electronic music, outdid himself in intensified energy packed set.
Notable performances came from Toronto rapper Tory Lanez. Lanez performed majority on his set in the crowd as dozens of fans rushed under him to hold him up. A true spectacle, Lanez gained many fans the first day due to his wild onstage and in the crowd pleasing antics.
The first night was closed off with Chicago’s favorite Chance The Rapper alongside with The Social Experiment. Seeing the top bill for the first night with other Chicago favorites in The Social Experiment was a real treat. They performed from Chance’s 10 Days, Acid Rap, and Coloring Book. The closing night was transformed into a Chicago listening party. Festival goers also heard records from the band's latest soul filled album“Surf”.
Seeing Chicago’s heavyweight perform a number of times didn’t account in his Summer Set performance. It was like seeing him for the first time as the showcased a number of crowd favorites from “Coloring Book”. Records including No Problem, Blessings, and Summer Friends helped Chance and The Social Experiment cement the first day into a night you couldn’t forget.
[Review] Lollapalooza celebrates 25 anniversary in a big way
The Chicago staple of music festival excellence brought forth yet another unforgettable weekend of music and stellar performances. Lollapalooza celebrating it’s 25th anniversary in the biggest way possible. Extending the festival to four days created a marathon of incredible musical moments.
Lollapalooza had many highlights that came from inside and outside the music festival. Chicago transformed from the city with broad shoulders into, during for the four-day festival, music mecca.
The first two days had rain showers that spanned over a few hours. The temporary muggy start didn’t effect the mega celebration of the 25th anniversary. In fact, the only set backs to the festival were the uncontrollable rain and that the festival is already over.
Over the years Lolla grew not only in size but it also grew in multiple genres. It first started as an alternative rock festival in 1991 as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction. Now with over 170 acts and an extended four-day festival, Lollapalooza provided many history making moments.
It was announced by Lollapalooza that next year’s music festival will also be a 4 day festival.
Thursday, July 28 (Day 1)
Lollapalooza fixed up this problem from past years. The clear winner to the first night was hip-hop. Hip-hop actually had a deeper impact throughout the festival but it made a bold statement the first night with performances from Chicago’s own Towkio, G-Eazy, and J. Cole. Danny Brown also gained many fans with his energetic performance. Towkio brought out Chicago’s Joey Purp and Vic Mensa in a complete Chicago music takeover. Towkio from sneaking into Lollapalooza before his musical break to now setting the stage definitely was a crowd pleasure.
Another Chicago artist made headlines closing off the Perry’s stage this time from the electronic music duo Flosstradamus. They didn’t disappoint bringing their signature non-stop thrill ride of electric beats. They also brought out surprise guest Chance The Rapper, Michelle Williams, and Dwyane Wade.
From “Wet Dreamz” to “Work Out”, J. Cole stole the show with non-stop performance of hit after hit. With no back track, fans matched Cole jumping and rapping along with the Dreamville rapper. It’s important to note that Cole was the only rapper to close off the Samsung stage throughout the weekend. The others were Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and LCD Soundsystem. The biggest stage at Lollapalooza was the perfect fit for J. Cole’s unforgettable set.
Interview: Chuckie on electric dance music
Known to millions of fans as the master of Dirty Dutch, DJ and producer Clyde Narain, better known as Chuckie, has been the face of the electronic music subgenre.
One of the earliest and most notable producers in electronic music, Chuckie has laid out groundwork for many artists like Fedde le Grand, Afrojack and Hardwell.
In Chuckie’s long career he’s worked with a who’s who list of notable EDM artists as well as many other genre musicians. Chuckie first began his career before the high rise in popularity in EDM. As the popularity of electronic music skyrocketed, Chuckie's fame stayed the same because he was already an icon. Like the cultural movement behind Dirty Dutch, his work combines all the different elements in EDM. Chuckie is a jack of all trades; his Dirty Dutch themed music festival, record label, and continuing collaborations cement Chuckie’s future legacy.
We catch up with the Dirty Dutch legend after his set at the fifth annual Spring Awakening Music Festival.
I noticed that before your set you were waiting patiently on the side of the stage. How do you prepare yourself in that time?
When I DJ I just don’t go on stage and play 12 of my songs in an hour set. I like to play all kinds of songs to get the crowd going. To me it’s important to see the DJ that played before me to make sure I don’t play the same thing. I like seeing the crowd and how they respond to the music.
Since EDM's main stream growth have you ever needed to take a step back?
It’s hard because of traveling. At all times you try to balance. There’s not really a point where I haven’t said I need to slow it down because I’ve really tried to balance it out as much as I could.
Of course sometimes I really want to go home but it’s hard because of the traveling. You don’t sit in the studio anymore.
You were one of the first international DJ’s and have been traveling around the world for quite some time. When, if ever, have you had to put the brakes?
I started going international in 2008, so I would say in 2011 is when it hit me the hardest. I was like fuck, time is flying by with all the traveling and touring. Eventually I was good, next I decided to move to Aruba but at the end of my day I think I’ve found my balance.
Even now finding the right balance with a diet. When you’re on tour man all the party and drinking can’t be healthy. You don’t pay attention to your health. Right now I’ve seen a lot of guys fall into accidents. Especially in the past three years. A lot of guys from the scene I wouldn’t like to mention any names but a lot people already know. Which is crazy. That’s not going to control my life.
You’ve welcomed other types of music and combined them into your Dirty Dutch style. DJ’s are now considered as “sellouts” for branching off from their traditional sound. What’s your take on switching it up with different styles of music?
My whole idea behind that was yeah, house music is just house music, but I wanted to add some fun elements to balance it all out. I just wanted to have fun with it.
When you’re trying to find your sound or style you’re always going to get criticized for it. Even when I started adding elements to my music I was criticized.
It’s not encouraging. I see it in the hard style scene for example. In Harlem the hard style scene, they have hard core fans. They don’t want anything to change. Matter of a fact all the songs had the same break and same timing. Everything is the same. All the structures are the same. How boring is that?
I don’t know. Music is music, sometimes you might want to add some elements to a song. My way of thinking it is if you’re not going to do it I’m going to do. I’m going to make an electric track with a 128 BPM with hard style. With me personally I don’t care. I’m on a mission. If you’re on a mission and you know exactly what your doing don’t even mind the criticism.
You’ve accomplished so much in your career. What’s next?
I’m going to continue to do more and more in music. Whatever I feel like now. I don’t even feel like dropping EDM tracks. I don’t want to say it’s boring or anything it’s just the same old things. If you want to have a top charting track you have to have something that sounds like what’s popular now.
It’s also important to have fun with it because to me at this point it’s starting to get more of a joke. It’s not even about the music anymore. Now a days you have to pop champagne, you got to give away t-shirts, you got to have a hype man, you got to throw out cakes. To me, I’m taking things way more back to basics but that works for me.
Chuckie, after our interview at Spring Awakening Music Festival.
You’re involved with your music, label, and production. Why is this important to you when, at this point in your career, you can just release music, sit back and collect checks?
I’m kind of a purist. This is where I draw the line. We did all the mosh pits, sit downs, and all the gimmicks. So then what’s next? Are you going to bring a clown up on stage? I’m just on of those guys that wants to take it back to the basics. So less CO2, less streamers, and special effects I just want people to appreciated the music because if we don’t do it were slowly killing the scene.
These kids go out to raves and get bored 30 seconds into the drop and are already asking, “Okay what’s next?”. For example, if you release a song today next week people are going to ask when you’re going to release a new song. It’s going into that culture. I don’t want that I want to take it to basics.
Especially in Djing, at a festival we have a line of guys performing doing gimmicks and then the next guy coming up is playing house music but doesn’t use the special effects. At the end of the day that guy is going to sound boring. It’s crazy right now. There’s too much stuff going on right now.
Interview: Borgore gives insight on his musical beginnings
Israeli Asaf Borger is better known to his millions of devoted fans as the dubstep producer and DJ Borgore. Transcending from his first found success Borgore has branched out to other forms of electronic music like drum and bass and house music.
He has also seen recent success in his hip-hop endeavors. His newest video single 100s showcases Borgore’s rap skills. Borgore has been associated in the past with collaborations with heavy hitters like G-Eazy, Miley Cyrus, and Diplo.
Electronic music and all things considered EDM have been looked at under a microscope in recent years for its fanatic and massive sellout crowds. The stereotypical never ending party antics, overly suggested drug usage, and the sexually aggressive atmosphere still haunts the growing music community.
Borgore is no stranger to controversy. The producer/DJ has been criticized for his suggestive and misogynist lyrics and his on stage antics. His persona is one of the loudest in your face in electronic music today. His unapologetic actions and records are a continuing sign of holding nothing back when it comes to his world of DJing.
A music prodigy growing up, Borgore had a not so average up bringing. After graduating at the age of 18 years-old he spent three years in the Israel’s national army. Borgore also has his own label Buygore.
We sat down with EDM’s bad boy at the fifth annual Spring Awakening Music Festival.
CM: You recently released the video for “100s." Not only do you showcase your rap skills but you also say “You don’t have to love, but I’m here making millions." What do you mean by that?
B: I’m a strange person in the EDM world. I don’t one hundred percent fit in, in a classical EDM way. That gets a lot of people mad. When people aren’t used to something they either love it or hate it. That’s a fact, you don’t have to love me but regardless I’m still doing pretty good.
From the Israeli army to producing music. How has that journey been coming from a place of uncertainty?
When I was in the army I was one hundred percent sure what I was going to do. I was in the army, my girlfriend broke up with me, I was miserable and was stuck with five hundred dudes getting shot at everyday.
That’s when I said to myself you know what I don’t want to be in this position. I want to be successful. I’m going to be successful.
I started trading stocks and did really well actually but that didn’t fulfill my life emotionally, so I want back to music. Music is something I’ve done my whole life. But you know what, if I wasn’t good at music I would do something else. I’d be a great lawyer or doctor. Fuck it, it’s all a matter of perspective. If you want to be great at something, then be great at it. Just work hard for it.
Your music has been attacked for what many suggest to be overly sexualized and misogynistic. How do you now reflect dealing with that and how many interrupted your music?
I don’t disrespect anyone. I don’t care what’s your gender or where you’re from as long as you’re a good person I respect you. If you come to my show and you want to show your tits if you’re a dude, chick, or trans (sexual) do it, I don’t care.
I’ll give you that option. You have the freedom to do whatever the fuck you want. How am I misogynist? You want me to tell them to stay at home and wear hijabs and stay in the kitchen all day?
When being criticized, the misunderstood culture of electronic music in being overly sexualized towards women is attached to your debate. How is it not only representing you but a specific culture of electronic music?
It feels natural. I’m going to do that for my whole life. For me art is theory. There’s so many questions I cannot answer. I don’t know what happens after death.
The world is fucking vague. The one thing I do know is the music makes me happy. This is what I’m going to do even if I’m not successful in making music, I’m still going to be making music.
Being involved and having a hand in every step the process with your music, from your label, production, to now rapping on "100s." Why is that important to you?
That’s the way it should be. If you’re a so called DJ, you better fucking know how to play some instruments. You better know how to produce. The whole idea of people becoming famous from other producer’s work is bullshit.
We are musicians - this is our job. First and foremost, we are all musicians you better know the notes in a C major scale, that’s basic! You got to know the basics.
Just bouncing back to "100s," how was it making the video for this light-hearted track?
It was amazing to shoot. We had a great time; I love the song. For years I was working with directors, some were great some weren’t. I was so happy to work with someone that I had so much fun with. All my friends were there together just fucking around. While on set I literally destroyed a golf cart for the music video. (laughs)
Borgore's "100s"
[youtube id="fJTuldpMwCg"]
Spring Awakening Music Festival same thrills, new location
The fifth anniversary of the mega popular Midwest electric music festival Spring Awakening has found its signature groove despite a slew of location setbacks. This year, the festival definitely did not disappoint for its anniversary celebration.
Past Spring Awakening attendees were accustomed to the stadium-size electric mecca at Chicago’s Soldier Field. With the move to the Addams/Medill Park on Chicago’s near west side community, Spring Awakening transformed the grass-laden fields into the best place in Chicago for electronic music.
With over one hundred acts performing this year, attendees were treated to some of the best artists in electronic dance music.
Day 1
Closing off the first night were some of the biggest recognizable names in electronic music, respectively. Steve Aoki brought his crazy antics and energy filled set to the Windy City, along side with his signature cake throwing. Electronic music bad boy Deadmau5 stole the show though, with his progressive house music anthems and crowd pleasing set. We last saw Deadmau5 in his long awaited return back to Chicago at Reaction NYE.
There were many signature moments from other artists, including Dillon Francis, Borgore, Flux Pavilion, and Jamie XX. Francis later crashed the middle of Deadmau5’s set to add to the already existing friendly melodic environment.
At Spring Awakening, the catchy beats and emotionally charged songs were met with individual fans who, collectively, grooved together. In a closed off space, Spring Awakening was still able to feel more tight knit. The distance between the stages was closer than previous years. This helped festival goers witness all that the Spring Awakening had to offer when it came to visiting each stage, and festival attraction like the Ferris wheel or the large water slide.
Day 2
Heavy hitters like Chicago’s own Kaskade, and a stable of electronic artists from Carnage, Nicky Romero, A-Track, and ShowTek all took over the second night of Spring Awakening. We also saw numerous memorable moments from the smaller branded stages throughout the three-day festival.
A-Track showcased his champion style of DJing and scratches that seemed nearly impossible. Due to an overheated laptop A-Track’s set was stopped abruptly as he to rallied up the crowd with friendly Chicago banter like not putting ketchup on hot dogs. He later thanked the crowd for not leaving while getting things started again.
With no other notable tech slip ups during the three-day festival, Spring Awakening held its own against the heat. The temperature played a factor during Spring Awakening weekend. With teasing reports of rain, Spring Awakening was prepared for the heavy heat by providing free water filled stations, CTA buses that were used for festival goers to cool off, and three tented stages that provided some much needed shade.
Acts like Above & Beyond, Chainsmokers, and Crystal Castles ended the final night on a high note. The well balanced lineup gave an opportunity for many to enjoy the different types of electronic music.
Day 3
The final day saw a well-balanced mixture of artist from trap to even traditional house music. House legend Green Velvet had a special set that many festival fans will rave about for years to come. Velvet's set was filled with throwbacks and classical house jams.
A touching display to note were the moments of silence that both the Chainsmokers and Above and Beyond held for the Orlando victims from the mass shooting that occurred just night before. This was a somber moment that, even during a three-day music festival, reminded its festival goers the human side of the issue.
Ending on a high note, Spring Awakening, despite its rocky first announcements and venue location change, was able to pull off another memorable experience for Chicago’s electronic music scene.
Ultra Music Festival 2016 Line Up and More
[youtube id="xSU6WDekftU"]
We're 5 weeks away until ULTRA touches down at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami, with their electrifying Phase One lineup for its eighteenth annual edition, taking place on March 18, 19 and 20, 2016.
In another incredible move from the American festival juggernaut, whose unique lineups have always been praised for their diversity, innovation and forward-thinking LIVE programming, Ultra Music Festival 2016 will see the return of three of the most revered LIVE acts in the history of electronic music.
Dubbed “The Godfathers of Rave”, UK pioneers and award-winning outfit The Prodigy will be making their long awaited Ultra Music Festival return, as they prepare to entertain the ULTRA faithful with their industrial brand of rock-tinged electronica. Incorporating rave, electro, jungle, hardcore and everything in between, this fully immersive live show is not to be missed.
Next up, and for the first time since 2011, Australian Drum & Bass getup Pendulum will be heading back to Ultra Music Festival for a very special and rare live appearance. Often credited for the global popularization of the genre, fans can expect to witness a raw, high-octane live experience, rivaled by few others.
And, in a momentous nod to the festival’s very roots, the headline act for ULTRA’s very first edition, which took place on the sands of Miami Beach in 1999, will also be returning for their landmark reunion. None other than Rabbit In The Moon will be showcasing their visionary interpretation of psychedelic trance, house and breaks, as Ultranauts young and old prepare to witness a true slice of history.
Completing the LIVE programming for Phase One are additional headliners Caribou, Chet Faker, Destroid, Miike Snow, Nero, Purity Ring and Tycho.
As ever, ULTRA will also be welcoming a huge array of the finest, most in-demand DJs on the planet. Headlining the festival across a broad selection of stages this March will be Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Avicii, Carl Cox, David Guetta, Dubfire, Eric Prydz, Hardwell, Jamie Jones, Kaskade, Knife Party, Kygo, Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, Marco Carola, Martin Garrix, Seth Troxler, DJ Snake, Tiësto and Zedd.
Ultra ambassador and crowd favorite Carl Cox returns to the ULTRA Megastructure for a groundbreaking twelfth year to host his legendary Carl Cox & Friends, as does Trance icon Armin Van Buuren, who will take the reins to bring his ‘A State Of Trance’ show to the masses.
[youtube id="gMJRaxLXqMo"]
Having made its Miami debut at the 2015 edition of Ultra Music Festival to critical acclaim, the RESISTANCE stage will be returning to Downtown Miami this March, bigger and better than ever before. After welcoming ‘The Afterburner’ in 2015, the 2016 RESISTANCE stage will transform into an entirely different beast dubbed ‘THE SPIDER’. Powered by creative pioneers, Arcadia Spectacular, the 50 ton, 20m tall Spider structure is built from recycled military and industrial hardware, rigged with cutting edge technology, features a DJ booth suspended above the crowd, and shoots 50-foot fireballs over the dancefloor. Etched into festival folklore through Europe and beyond, the iconic Spider will be making its debut on US soil at Ultra 2016.
Ultranauts will also witness an extra spectacle each day with the ‘Arcadia Landing Show’. A brand new addition to RESISTANCE this year, The Landing Show will see the Spider come to life, elevating the energy across the area to peak euphoria. Uniting a stunning range of creative elements and all the Spider’s special effects, the show features interactive aerial performances, abductions, mechanical mayhem and breathtaking pyrotechnics as the Spider makes first contact. For further information on RESISTANCE watch the new trailer here and head to resistancemusic.com
Ultra Music Festival takes place during Miami Music Week and is an 18+ event. As Easter falls on the usual dates, next year’s edition will take place on March 18, 19 and 20, 2016. General Admission and VIP tickets are currently on sale priced at $324.95 and $1,249.95 respectively. Early Bird and Payment Plan tickets have now sold out so act fast to avoid disappointment. For further details and ticket information, head to ultramusicfestival.com
Via ULTRA