Ultra Music Festival brings in top DJs from around the world


Ultra Music Festival was the hottest party of the year ― literally. But even as the mercury inched higher every day of the festival, thousands came out to Sports Complex Stadium in southern Seoul on Friday and Saturday to hear the likes of Skrillex, Tiesto and Carl Cox.

The Olympic arena transformed into the largest outdoor club in the country with the entire floor of the stadium jam-packed with sweaty people jumping and dancing to the music. Even the likes of singer PSY and actor Jang Geun-suk were out to enjoy the festive atmosphere ― albeit safely from the within VVIP pavilion.

Even those not so into electronic music could enjoy UMF. Each DJ brought a different style to the stage with each set and song unique. For those electronic and house fans, UMF’s all-star line-up was a dream come true.

The two top DJs of the weekend were undoubtedly Skrillex and Tiesto, with Skrillex headlining Friday and Tiesto closing out the festival on Saturday.

Skrillex of the U.S. took to the stage with gusto Friday night, alternately mixing and jumping around the stage waving a Korean flag. The high-tech stage pulsed with the beat, lighting up in different colors and showing movie-like scenes and animation to match the music.

Attributed as bringing dub-step back to the forefront of the electronic/house music scene, Skrillex brought down the house with remixes and original pieces.

He ended his set with fireworks and flashing lights, sending off thousands to fight for taxis home.

Despite the heat, even more came out to see Saturday’s line-up of Sander Kleinenburg, Chuckie, Team H and Tiesto on the main stage. Just off the main area, Carl Cox was set up with his own tent and brought in top DJs John Digweed, Yousef, Jon Rundell and Ken Ishii to entertain.

The star of the night was Dutch DJ Tiesto with the crowd surging to get closer to the stage while he threw down beats. The arena transformed into the hottest night club in Seoul. He played his famous remix of Gotye’s “Someone I Used to Know,” much to the crowd’s approval.

This was the first time for UMF to come to Asia. The festival started out in Miami, Florida, 14 years ago and just this year expanded to include 12 cities around the world. Each event was streamed live on YouTube, inviting millions around the world to join in on the party. Tourists from all over Asia, including Japan, China and the Philippines flocked to Seoul for the weekend, just to have a taste of the world’s most famous electronic music festival.

By Emma Kalka (ekalka@heraldcorp.com)