From within the crowd. UME 2014.
By M. A. Alvarez II
Spring Break 2014; still fresh in my mind. I can recall the glimmer of sparkling flames as they trickled from bursts of gigantic lights within the violet sky. The smell of sulfur had fallen and dissipated among the melody as bass pulsed through a massive crowd within the Schlitterbaun Water Park on South Padre Island. Boasting as the Ultimate Music Experience, this spring time festival featured a stage at the center of a massive park, with a line-up that offered only the best in electronic dance music. Being able to experience it this past Spring Break was a dream come true. I was able to see many of my favorite artists, crossing their names from my infamous must-see bucket list as well as bask in the leisure and paradise that was South Padre with my best friends.
Last years line up consisted of many must see DJs and Producers. The first night featured sets by Carnage, Pegboard Nerds, who delivered a stylized remix of Adventure Club’s “Wonder”, Dyro, and the legendary Tiesto. Each set offered up unique visuals that brought the most out of the DJ’s distinct sounds. Second day performances were bass heavy, with sets by Keys N Krates, Zed’s Dead, Bassnectre, and Paper Diamond. And with the third day topping it off with DJ Snake, Brazzabelle, Sandro Silva, and finally Zedd, it was almost hard to believe that UME could offer such an intense lineup. Every name was a big one. Each set was a must hear. UME had taken the most out of its setting and brought together music-lovers for an event worthy of being called the Ultimate Music Experience. UME 2014 opened my eyes to a completely new world of music, a world with standards and expectations. I realized then, that a life of music was the life for me. A life that sought to bring the most out of what I perceived and experienced. I would only seek greatness from then on, with aspirations of writing about what mesmerized my spirit and mind.
The announcement of the 2015 headliners ironically would fall on my birthday, and with deep anticipation, I waited patiently to hear who would grace the stage this year. If I were to return, who is it that I would be seeing? Who would top the year before if I decided to venture forth and recreate the experience I had almost a year ago? There was so much to hope for, but not enough to drive myself to visit the island once again as I seek to experience something new.
Headliners this year include the renowned David Guetta, Hardwell, and UME veteran and legend Tiesto, with Steve Aoki returning to perform for the UME’s official pre-party the day before the festival. UME has again set its sights on uniting some of the greatest names in EDM. With the return of Tiesto and Steve Aoki, it is safe to say that crowds will be drawn, and with the additions of David Guetta and Hardwell especially, this show will absolutely offer up a Spring Break experience worth living.
However, I feel as if the UME, in its attempt to be the ultimate musical experience, has yet to offer up that extra touch that will separate it from other festivals of its kind or from what it was in the past. Though these headliners are world renowned, its as if the Ultimate Music Experience hasn’t changed much from what it was last year. The sounds remain consistent, but doesn’t offer up much diversity. Half the headliners this year, played last year and though Hardwell and David Guetta are welcomed additions, I feel they don’t offer up as much of a spectrum of sounds as Bassnectre and Zedd did as headliners last Spring. This is a festival I might sit out from as I seek out something new to experience this Spring Break. It feels as if the only purpose in going would be to recreate what I had done last year instead of something better. However, there is always the possibility that I am speaking too soon. The rest of the line-up has yet to be announced and by judging from the captivating sights and sounds of the festival last year, there may be promise in the line-up soon to come. The headliners may not impress me, but who is to know who might show up on the list next. I suppose I will have to wait and see before I finalize my plans for the upcoming Spring. Stay tuned.
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