Ultra Music Festival Phase 1 Announcement

It is a fresh new year and the wonderful news of Ultra music Festival phase 1 line-up has officially been released.   Their was much speculation on the acts that were going to be provided and they were pretty much dead on.  Of course the big news that Swedish House Mafia would be closing there tour in Miami.  People can hate on them all they want, they produce a good show with the energy to go along with it.  

Apart from the usual big names that will be there such as: Above and beyond, Afrojack, Kaskade, Tiesto, Deadmau5 etc. I am extremely excited to hear Major Lazer, Fat Boy Slim and Knife party will be present.  Most DJ’s have a “presence” about them but I feel that these three specifically really bring into play all the senses and want to join the crowd in there playfulness.  I look forward to Phase 2 announcements and anticipate hearing of the French duo Daft Punk striking back at Ultra for their 2013 tour!

**Update (jan 10 - 21:04): The second weekend has been approved, lets hope the drama ends there so the people can enjoy the festivities!.

What also seems to be in question is the overruling of Ultra having second weekend festivities at Bayfront Park.  There has been voiced concerns over the traffic and disturbance to the Miami downtown core that will disturb business and residence over and between the 2 weekends.  Another concern that has local residence up in arms is the drug use that is anticipated to happen on and in-between the two weekends.  Both sides had submitted their cases and now we can only wait for the final outcome.

63 days and counting, see you beautiful people at Ultra!

End of Year Round-up

Well it looks like our friend Calvin Harris will be joining us again here in Toronto.  He was here a few months ago for a sold out show at the sound academy with a great performance and will take on Uniun Nightclub for their ‘Factory Fridays’ on December 28. The Scottish born performer who’s actual name is Adam Richard Wiles is one of many talents; not only is he a solid DJ he is a singer, songwriter and record producer.  Calvin has just released a new album called ’18 months’, which is loaded with collaborated talent and club infused tracks.  They are so good I must name them: Bounce (feat. Kelis), Feel so Close, We Found Love (feat. Rihanna), We’ll Be Coming Back (feat. Example), Iron (Nicky Romero), Sweet Nothing (feat. Florence Welch), Let’s Go (fear. Ne-Yo) and Awooga.

The Hoxton has some treats lined up for this week with Madeon playing on December 27, Flosstradamus on December 28, Feliz Cartel on December 29 and Dzeko & Torres with their NYE event.

If you are in Montreal or have the means to be traveling that way, New Gas City is gearing up for Festival Lumen. I am looking over the line-up for a second time and I am happily delighted.  The 3 evening festival will see Skrillix and Alvin Risk on Dec 27, Sebastian Ingrosso, Borgore and Otto Knows on Dec 28 and Porter Robinson, Hardrock Sofa, Sander Kleinenberg and Project 46 closing out the festivities on Dec 29.  If that isn’t the event that is going to exhaust you until New Years Eve I don’t know what will.

Here is a quick run down of NYE events for consideration: 

• Afrojack, R3hab, Shermanology, Quintino, Bobby Burns, Arty, and Tommie Sunshine @ Pier 94 – New York City
• Dada Life, Deniz and Bassjackers @ Dada land Compound – New York City
• Armin van Buuren @ Pier 36 – New York City
• Deadmau5, Chris Lake, Burns, DVBBS and Sour DJ’s @ Scotiabank Convention Centre – Niagara Falls
• Autoerotique @ Liberty Grand – Toronto
• Pretty Lights @ Roseland Ballroom – New York City
• Third Party, Nic Fanciulli and Max Graham @ New Gas City - Montreal

If I had an unrestricted choice of party I believe it would be between the Dada life or Afrojack event.  Ultimately I think I would go with Dada Life based on their performance here in Toronto this year, which was a wild wild night, and I know this event will be no different!

What ever you choose to do for and up until new years have a safe and happy holiday, hug someone and party safe!