There’s Ultra in Downtown Miami and an Ultra in Korea, there’s going to be Ultra Europe in Split, Croatia, and now it seems the Ultra brand will be taking their event production talents down under in the coming year. Stoney Roads caught a tweet between a fan and the UMF TV Twitter handle from over the weekend that seems to confirm the festival’s presence in Australia in 2014. Although the specific tweet has since been deleted, it’s hard to argue that UMF would have said this in a public forum without a pretty heavy dose of certainty.
The Bingo Players’ Hysteria Records imprint has solidifed itself upon the peak time skyline of late, its latest offering from Dutch house mogul Alvaro and national peer Moti being no exception. Following-up on his UMF anthem “United” alongside Tiësto and Quintino and in the wake of the Bingo’s own “Buzzcut,” “NaNaNa” plays with the infectious property that its apt title would suggest. A definitive Dutch festival anthem rife with piercing leads and immediately imitable sample work, Alvaro and his rising peer up-the-ante with a heavy-footed club banger that does exactly what it says on the tin with unapologetic force. (more…)
From affirmative festival action to landmark digital releases, young Dutch heavyweight Hardwell has taken no prisoners for 2013. Off the back of a landmark spree for his own Revealed Recordings imprint, volume four of his Hardwell Presents Revealed compilation series looks to up-the-ante in the name of cutting-edge talent with a festival proof focus on the summer clubbing horizon. The album features the cream of Corput’s hand-picked crop of European talents, whilst picking up on landmark anthems such as “Never Say Goodbye” and Hardwell’s own remix of Krewella’s “Alive” to show both sides of the industry coin the European heavyweight now overlooks. In the same vein as his landmark set at UMF, eight exclusive label cuts and a series of off-the-cuff mash-ups combine to make volume four an essential insight into the young and restless exuberance now associated with both label and artist alike. This compilation will be available on Beatport on June 21st, and Hardwell will be celebrating its launch in Vegas the night before at the brand new Hakkasan in MGM Grand. (more…)
After early bird tickets sold out in record time and the advance tickets disappeared in a snap, hopeful Ultra Music Festival attendees were stuck with a ticket price that, for some, was too high to justify at $399.00 plus tax and fees. The public outrage resonated with the iconic music festival and Ultra has made an official statement today explaining the need for the price hike – promising that Ultra 2014 will be even bigger, and even better than its 15th anniversary. Ultra also plans to instate a “Fan Experience Committee” comprising of team members, artists and fans to ensure attendees are involved in Ultra 2014′s formation.
Leading Dutch talents Hardwell and Dyro unite with Heather Bright to unleash their latest collaborative masterpiece for Revealed Recordings this month. Premiered at UMF during Hardwell’s landmark main stage appearance and used as the score to his Miami 2013 aftermovie, “Never Say Goodbye” is the emotively charged epitome of both producers’ stamina in the face of global attention. Armed with Heather Bright’s well-placed topline, this coming-of-age festival anthem sparks uplifting and impactful resonations for peak-time sensibilities at the most effectual level of quality and relevance. As yet another strong addition to Revealed’s burgeoning musical artillery, the track purveys heart-rending club fuel for a generation unashamedly relishing in the reign of electronic dance music.
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We’ve come to expect little short of the finest new-age talent from Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings imprint. Case in hand, Dutch newcomer Skitzofrenix adds to the labels spotless roster with a finely tuned peak time offering. First spotlighted during Hardwell’s set at Ultra Music Festival, “Clap” brings the warped melodic values of Dutch house music to an intensive high, invoking surefire festival stamina from the outset. There may be no shortage of intense club fuel on the horizon, but Skitzofrenix begs quality in the face of saturation for an offering that is sure to turn a few heads come summer. (more…)
Ultra Europe has upped the ante with six further additions to the three-day debut in Croatia from July 12 through 14. The likes of Chase & Status, Cazzette and Deniz Koyu will join headliners Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren & Aviciiacross the two day spree at Poljud Stadium in Split, adding further spots from Adam Beyer and Yousef to extend the eclectic line-up. On top of the main event action, Aussie sisters Nervo will accompany Steve Aoki, Dada Life and Erick Morillo for the festival’s exclusive beachside finale at the Hotel Amfora Grand Beach Resort on Hvar Island. Set to stir more than 40,000 attendees and bringing UMF TV along for the ride for those unable to make the trip, Ultra Europe looks to successfully extend the reign of Ultra to pastures blue and gold this summer.
Sander Van Doorn celebrates another triumphant run at Winter Music Conference with an official after movie showcasing another year of hard work and play in the name of electronic dance music.
For the second year in a row, young Swedish producer Avicii pulled out all the stops during his Ultra set. In 2012, he brought the queen of pop on stage with him and in 2013, he shocked many previewing tracks from his new album that contained *gasp* a bit of country twang and fewer of those immediately recognizable big dance melodies. Now, the Avicii camp is out with a new promotional mix for 2013 and although it’s not exactly the same as his Ultra set or his Diplo & Friends guest mix from earlier in March, it plays the same cards. He combines his hits with new IDs from the album and yes, those country sounds are in this mix too. No tracklist on this, but listen below to hear what Avicii’s future will sound like.
As a thank you to fans and a celebration of the greatest moments from this year’s festival, Ultra Music Festival has released a 4-minute montage of the largest UMF in its 15 year history. This could be one of the most well-done recap videos we’ve ever seen. Stay tuned for June and Ultra15′s official aftermovie.
