Time flies! I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since I visited the sparkling shores of Split, Croatia to host Ultra Europe’s live stream “Ultra Live”. While Split’s best attractions remain the same over the (hundreds of) years – Diocletian’s Palace, the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea, and the Riva Promenade – Ultra Music Festival has changed. The festival is now three days, it starts and ends much later, and is at a different venue, Park Mladezi. I’ll resist the urge to say, “I haven’t changed a day,” because I absolutely have! Hopefully viewers will agree I have changed in a good way… like the fine rose you drink on the Rive Promenade.
I will be interviewing many new DJ’s, but also interviewing ones that I started my career with back at Ultra Miami 2012. I’m excited for the opportunity to be back with the team!
Catch the stream LIVE Friday July 11- Sunday July 13, starting each day at 10:30pm local time – 4:30pm Eastern US – 1:30 pm Pacific US at Youtube.com/UMFTV.
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.
