It’s official! One week to Ultra and not only will all the best DJ’s from around the world play at Bayfront Park, but we will be live streaming those incredible sets on YouTube! Yes, for the 5th year (4th year with me- but who’s counting?) we’ll be live streaming the Ultra Music Festival. This year will be bigger than ever. There are some really cool things happening, which I can’t say just yet, but seeing as these are normally the announcement videos- you can tell this is going to be different!
What I can tell you is that this Ultra Miami 2016 announcement video was a fun collaboration. Most of the UMFTV crew lives in Amsterdam, so the bits with Hardwell were shot in Europe. My stand up was shot in the United States. I produced the clip, hired the DP, and location scouted for the stand up. I absolutely love production, so it was wonderful to see everything come together. Oh, and there was a pug, and I’m obsessed with pugs, so… yeah, I’m pretty happy with how it came out.
Join the party! It starts everyday at 3pm EST March 18-20. And feel free to tweet me with the hashtag #AnybodyCanWatch xx
Fashion and Music go hand in hand, and the awesome people at Markkit agree, which is why we are bringing you a new collection for all fans of dance music: The EDM Collection by Andrea Feczko.
As the host of Ultra Music Festivals around the world, I have sometimes an impossible task of finding clothes that represent the high energy of these Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festivals that also look great on camera. Meaning, they should be form fitting, brightly colored, sexy, and classy all at the same time. Oh, and they should try to represent the exotic locations we are in- whether it’s boho-chic Ibiza, super sexy Miami, or Far East Seoul, Korea.
When people think of EDM festivals, they think of tutus, pacifiers, and panda hats. I wanted to show that dance music culture and its fashion has come along way from the raves of the 90’s.
When Markkit approached me to do this collection, I was immediately on board… with A LOT of ideas. In hindsight- probably too many for an initial meeting.
The Markkit team and I went to downtown Los Angeles to hand pick the items I’d wear for Ultra 16 in Miami, Florida. It was kind of like living in fantasy girl world down there. The Fashion District is this little section behind the storefront shops where only retailers are allowed to purchase items. Translation: It’s not open to the public, making the experience that much cooler. There are at least 50 shops to choose from with every style, cut, and color pattern you could possibly want. I fell in love with these dresses; the color scheme reminded me of the beautiful Miami beaches and the dresses were high-end to represent the special Ultra brand: it’s the premiere dance music festival, and Miami is the biggest festival of them all.
Of course, these are great for a girl’s night out to dance to your favorite DJ – local or Top 100!
Needless to say- I’m so excited about this new venture!!
ULTRA made its first Invasion of Asia in August of last year… and it was INSANE. Since I’ve been with ULTRA as their live stream host, I have been to some really cool places and even better parties, but Korea was definitely a highlight. A lot of the dj’s agreed, saying the Korean crowd rivaled the one in Miami. They were super enthusiastic, as EDM is just breaking over there. It was incredible to feel the energy fill the Seoul Olympic Stadium- which is kind of massive by the way- when the superstars, specifically Tiesto, made it on stage and they were able to experience the party in person, some for the first time. Add to it the theatrics of the ULTRA mainstage, and it was quite a show.
I have captured this insanity, as well as a behind the scenes of what goes on, in the video below.
Now here we are in 2013, ready for the second UMF Korea. I don’t know how it will get bigger and better, but it definitely will. Those Faibisch brothers are always pushing the envelope. Make sure to catch it as we will be live streaming from http://www.youtube.com/umftv.
Steve Aoki on the main stage at UMF Korea 2012. In Miami it’s hard to get on stage, but at the smaller festivals we get more access to the artists.
Fans at the festival. The audience was primarily composed Koreans and ex-pat Americans, specifically those serving in our armed forces. These pictures show the two main components of our audience, but all coming together as one to party!
Behind the scenes during the UMF TV broadcast: Director Charly Friedrichs, aka Final Kid, and I putting together a package on the festival on the spot. People are surprised when I tell them the broadcast is completely unscripted, as it comes together so well. I think that’s a testament of our relationship; we are both on the same page of what we want and trust each other to do our jobs. Plus, Charly is one of the best directors I’ve ever worked with and the entire UMF TV team is beyond talented.
DJ Jon Rundell wearing my ULTRA ears on stage with Carl Cox.
My favorite fan at UMF Korea. He had on a tail, a fox head scarf and glow sticks galore. In the video below, there is a hilarious exchange where I try to flirt with him, and then he SHUTS me down. I need to step up my game.
Our motto this year was ""Let's Make History Together"" - and we have already done that from Weekend 1. During Hardwell's set - who is set to become the #1 DJ if you believe the buzz in the Twitterverse - we concurrently streamed with close to 100,000 people worldwide AND broke his twitter! He received a letter from Twitter saying that he used 30% of the Twitter bandwith and subsequently shut his account down (temporarily of course). We also broke Goldfish Live's website after we did an in depth 10 minute interview with the South Africans, which included questions like ""What shampoo do they use?"" Have you seen their hair- then you will understand.
And then, of course, there is this weekend. It is Swedish House Mafia's final set EVER as a trio, and we are going to be airing it live. Let's see if we can make real history- and all come together for this special moment! I will try my best to hold back the tears.
