Ultra South Africa 2016: After Movie

On Monday, Ultra South Africa revealed the much anticipated 2016 After Movie, sharing with us the memories and highlights of this years mind blowing event. It also celebrated the launch of the Early Bird ticket sales for next years event. So if you haven't already registered and purchased your tickets as yet, what are you waiting for? Check our last weeks post for all the information regarding ticket sales and how to get them. And if you missed out on all the fun this year, or you just want to relive the magic, here is the official Ultra South Africa After Movie, with South Africa's very on Black Coffee!

                         

Monday Choon: MOTi - Turn Me Up Feat. Nabiha (VIP Mix)

MOTi is fast becoming one of the rising stars in Tiesto's Musical Freedom label, his latest offering bares testament to that. Turn Me Up in the VIP Mix has been occupying the top 3 spot in Beatport charts for the past few weeks and looks like it will be staying there for a while with the rave reviews it's been getting. For those that attended Ultra South Africa a few weeks ago, Tiesto dropped this one during his extended set in Johannesburg and Cape Town. It is a banger of note and a frequently played song on my playlist. It features the vocals of Nabiha which give's it that mellow but soulful style, so listen to the lady and turn it up and enjoy!

                  

Monday Choon: Mike Posner - I Took A Pill in Ibiza (SeeB Remix)

What a weekend! If you attended Ultra South Africa in either Johannesburg or Cape Town you know exactly how I feel right now. Undoubtly we were blessed to witness such talent on our shores, many said they wanted to take a break from EDM after that weekend's overdose and we feel you, hence today's song isn't completely astray from our normal listening but could be the song of the weekend as it was dropped in one of the sets on the weekend. It's the new one by Mike Posner "I took a pill in Ibiza", the original track is a bit too mellow for our liking so here it is in the SeeB Remix.

                   

Monday Choon -Ultra Countdown: Tiesto, Oliver Heldens - The Right Song

It's finally the week we've all been waiting for, Ultra South Africa 2016 week! This Friday see's the 3rd installment of the coutries premier electronic dance music festival taking place over 3 days in Johannesburg and Cape Town. This weeks is our last of the headliner artist feature and we've saved the best for last, Tiesto! What more can we say about the Dutch DJ legend? He's done it all in his career as a DJ, playing to sell out crowds and now having residency in Las Vegas, he is undoubtly still one of the world's greatest and he's gracing Ultra SA for the second time. Catch him playing his extended set on Saturday in Joburg and Sunday in Cape Town. 

His latest single done with Oliver Heldens "Wombass" has been doing well on the charts since it's release late last year, and this year it was re-released featuring the vocals of Natalie La Rose with a change in name, and the song now called "The Right Song".  It's going to be on his set list for this weekend and is a banger of note, so this one is to get you ready and in the mood for the biggest Ultra South Africa we've seen yet!

                   

As always, follow the offical Ultra South Africa social media streams for the latest news regarding the festival.

Twtter: @ultrasa

Facebook: Ultra South Africa

Instagram: ultrasouthafrica

Website: www.ultrasouthafrica.com

Youtube: UMF TV

Ultra SA 2016 - Line Up Times

With just under 2 weeks to go till South Africa's premier dance festival, organisers have released the the final artist line ups and times. So you know exactly where and when to be during Ultra weekend to catch your favourite artist!

With over 16 headlining international artists spread over 3 days in 2 cities, this years Ultra South Africa is bound to be the biggest South Africa has seen so far. With the event spanning 2 day's in each city, it's easy for one to get lost in the euphoria of it all, hence the organisers have made things easy and released the timings now so that you and your mates can plan your Ultra Experience.

Starting off in Joburg, your two days kicks off at 2pm on Friday the 26th with all three stages, Main Stage, Live Loud and Soul Candi. On Saturday see's the Sould Candi stage change into the highly anticipated Resistance stage featuring acts such as Seth Troxler, Martinez Brothers and South Africa's very own Black Coffee. Tiesto brings the Joburg event to a close on the 27th with an extended set on Main Stage, you do not want to miss that!

Cape Town kicks off proceedings on Saturday the 27th at 2pm on all 3 stages, Ultra Main Stage, Bridges for Music at the Camp Site and Strange Loving. Skrillex brings the first night to a close with his set on Main Stage. Saturday see's Strange Loving stage converted to Resistance Stage. But thats not all for Cape Town folk...

Cape Town's very own COCO night club will be hosting an exclusive VVIP Lounge at Ultra Cape Town, which is dubbed "strictly for the upper echelon". So if you wan't to attend the countries biggest electronic dance music festival but also want to do it in style and luxury, this is for you! Be spoiled in your own private table section by the dedicated service team, exquisitely perched on the limited capacity VVIP deck. Access to private bathrooms, lounge area, area bars and bottle service is all included in this package, for more information, contact ultravvip@cococpt.co.za, alternatively call 072 673 6869. 

Stay up to date with the latest information from Ultra SA, visit the website or follow them on their various social media streams.

Twtter: @ultrasa

Facebook: Ultra South Africa

Instagram: ultrasouthafrica

Website: www.ultrasouthafrica.com

Youtube: UMF TV

Monday Choon - Ultra Countdown: Goldfish ft. Julia Church - Heart Shaped Box

The countdown to Ultra South Africa 2016 continues and this weeks featured artist is none other than SA's very own Goldfish! The Cape Town based duo of Dominic Peters and David Poole have been playing at all the previous Ultra SA's as well as representing SA at Ultra Miami. Their unique style of electronic music incorporates both mixing and the playing of instruments live. It's very rare to see and the music speaks for itself. 

They've played the world over, including stints on the party island of Ibiza. For the summer period they have residency at Cape Town's popular hot spot Shimmy Beach, where they have their submerged Sunday Sessions. If you're in the Cape during the season, it is a must to attend as it's the ultimate party to end off the weekend but make sure you get your tickets in advanced as they sellout quickly! Today's featured track from them is their latest single featuring the vocals of Julia Church, it's a current favourite of mine and I'm sure you will love it too. 

                       
Stay up to date with the latest information from Ultra SA, visit the website or follow them on their various social media streams.

Twtter: @ultrasa

Facebook: Ultra South Africa

Instagram: ultrasouthafrica

Website: www.ultrasouthafrica.com

Youtube: UMF TV

Monday Choon - Ultra Coundown: W&W & Armin van Buuren - If It Ain't Dutch

Wilem and Ward, the Dutch Electro House DJ's are coming back to SA, when they first toured with the first Ultra South Africa, they were not that well known with most of the Ultranauts but they sure won over the crowd with their hard style, fast paced electro style music. They've always been a favourite of mine and particular enjoyed their sets in the ASOT festivals around the world. 

They've been doing well with their podcasts, Mainstage and they have built up a large following all over the world. This weeks featured track has them featured with Dutch DJ legend Armin van Buuren. Keeping with their Dutch heritage, they song is appropriately named, "If it ain't Dutch" and has been quite popular of recent. The track has a lot of influence by the duo with the master, Armin adding his expert signature style to round it off. 

                   

Stay up to date with the latest information from Ultra SA, visit the website or follow them on their various social media streams.

Twtter: @ultrasa

Facebook: Ultra South Africa

Instagram: ultrasouthafrica

Website: www.ultrasouthafrica.com

Youtube: UMF TV

Monday Choon - Ultra Countdown: Fedde le Grand - Don't Give Up

Fedde le Grand is no stranger to the Ultra Music Festival, he has been a regular at Miami and Europe for a while now and even the song "Sparks" in which he and Nicky Romero collaborated on, was shot entirely at the festival in Miami. 

This will be the Dutch DJ's first visit to South African shores as he makes up part of the headliners at Ultra SA 2016. Fedde's popularity grew after his hit single, "Put your hands up for Detroit" hit number when it was released, this weeks featured song I chose from his work in 2014. It's still one of my favourites and was also used in the Miami Ultra after movie for that year. Here is Fedde with "Dont Give Up".

                                

Ultra South Africa 2016 - Additional Line Up

Just when we thought the Ultra South Africa organisers have provided us with the best line up for this years event, they go and spring this on us. As announced today, this years event will also include performances from Fedde le Grand, W&W who return for their second stint at Ultra SA and Claptone! They join the already long line up of global superstars in EDM set to perform in Johannesburg and Cape Town at the end of February this year. 

This surprise announcement comes in with just little over six weeks till the main event, and will sure get fans even more excited for whats to come. Fedde le rand, famous for his hit tracks "Put your hands up for Detroit" and "Sparks" is no stranger to Ultra events as he remains a firm favourite with crowds in Miami and Europe, the Dutch DJ's Electro House style is no doubt to be a hit with the local crowd. 

The Dutch DJ duo of W&W totally killed it in the first Ultra, their high energy, fast paced hard style trance is certainly an adrenaline building experience and they're coming back to give us more. They're a personal favourite of mine so I will be looking forward to thier set. The masked man who was responsible for some of the hottest deep house tunes of 2015, that is Claptone will also be in attendance. 

Also announced today, One day tickets will be available for purchase, for those who cannot attend both days. One day passes are already availabe online from the ticket portal at R790 each. The full artist line up as well as various stage line up was made available today as well. For more information be sure to follow Utra South Africa on their various social media streams.

Twtter: @ultrasa 

Facebook: Ultra South Africa

Instagram: ultrasouthafrica

Website: www.ultrasouthafrica.com

Youtube: UMF TV

Monday Choon - Ultra Countdown: Dash Berlin & Syzz - This Is Who We Are

The Ultra South Africa 2016 countdown has begun! With just 46 days to go till the gates open for the first day at Ultra Johannesburg, excitement is building up around the country and we here at the Bucket have started our own artist feature as our build up towards South Africa's largest electronic dance party. Every week leading up to Ultra, we will be using the Monday Choon segment to feature artists that will be performing at the show, we kick things off with Dutch trance music project, Dash Berlin.

Not many know this but Dash Berlin is actually a band, well a group. It consists of 3 members, Jeffery Sutorius who is the front man and Sebastiaan Molijn and Eelke Kalberg. Their music is very trance based and are very popular on the trance music scene. After signing on with the Amarda label which belongs to Armin van Buuren from then on things just escalated for the trio, they became an instant hit at the ASOT Festivals around the world and since been producing some great music and remixes. They're probably the act I'm most looking forward to see at this years event. Today's featured choon is by him and Syzz, This Is Who We Are. It's been quite a hit on the charts and one hot music video as well!

                    

Ultra South Africa 2016: Resistance

After proving to be a raving success at last years Miami Ultra Music Festival, organisers of the event have decided to take the Resistance stage world wide with Ultra Europe getting to experience it and now its the turn of South Africa! What is resistance all about though? As we all know there is a qide variety of Electronic music and whilsts the mainstream might be House, Trance and Dance music, there are loads of underground electronic music producers out there whom are making some damn good music which is far from the almost commercialised EDM we're used to hearing. 

What can one expect at Resistance? Unique deep house, techno underground beats by some of the best in the business. Some of the headliners to the Ultra SA 2016 Resistance stage are, Seth Troxler, The Martinez Brothers and South Africa's very own Black Coffee who just yesterday was announced as one of the performing artists at this years Coachella Festival. It's going to be different but as seen in Miami, it could be one of the better stages to be at, so don't keep yourself stuck at Mainstage.

Don't forget, those attending the Cape Town event can now purchase camping tickets for the venue, starting off at R100 for General Camping (requires you to bring your own tent) and R2595 for Premium Camping (tent, beds provided).

                  

Follow Ultra South African on their various social media streams and subscribe to their newsletter so stay up to date with the latest news for the festival which is drawing ever closer. 

Twtter: @ultrasa 

Facebook: Ultra South Africa

Instagram: ultrasouthafrica

Website: www.ultrasouthafrica.com

Youtube: UMF TV

Monday Chooon: Skrillex & Diplo - To Ü ft AlunaGeorge

Welcome to the first Monday of the year and what better way to start it off with than some epic music? 2015 saw two DJ/ Producer heavy weights, Skrillex and Diplo combine their talents and form Jack U. The first hit single from the two involved pop icon Justin Bieber. They have since continued with their project and have played at various festivals since. The latest offering from the duo is our featured track and has the vocals of English Electronic music duo AlunaGeorge, it has hit number 1 on many of the top 40 charts around the world. Don't forget to catch Skrillex next month at Ultra 2016, in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

                       

Ultra South Africa 2016 - App

Going for Ultra South Africa next year? Got a smart phone? Then it's a no brainer, you NEED the Ultra SA App. Available on Android or iOS devices, the app provides festival goers with the latest news with regards to the event, all their favourite artists that will be at the event as well as a guide to the festival with a map showing points of interest, the different stages as well as line ups with the times. You can even relive moments from previous UItra's. It is a must have, find the links below to the various devices. 

iTunes: UltraSA2016App
Google Play: UltraSA2016App

For more info, visit www.ultrasouthafrica.com 

Ultra South Africa 2016 - Final line up!

                    

The final line up for Ultra South Africa 2016 has been released and it includes some big heavy weights of the industry. Many of the artist that have been announced in phase 2 have already visited SA and played at previous Ultra festivals, so people who missed out before can revel in their presence. 

The festival which takes place in South Africa form the 26th of February till the 28th next year in two of the major cities. Cape Town will play host to the two day event at the Ostrich Farm on the 27th and 28th and Johannesburg, at Nasrec Expo center from the 26th to the 27th of February. 

Some were disappointed with the line up, including myself but one has go to understand that planning an event like this, getting artist to confirm to travel to another end of the world for a few days isn't easy. So I applaud the organisers for securing big names like these and obviously the sets aren't going to be the same as the previous ones. 

Afrojack, Tiesto and Carnage join Skrillex, Zedd, Dash Berlin and Robin Schulz to headline this awesome line up for the 2016 event. Amongst them will be a host of local talent that will keep the crowd entertained during the day on the various stages. Dean Fuel, Euphonik, Goldfish, TimoODV, Pascal & Peace just to name a few. 

Tickets are on sale via the website, www.ultrasouthafrica.com, for more information on camping venues for the Cape Town festival and other info you may need to know, follow the various social media streams on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Monday Choon: HI-LO - Renegade Mastah

 

Who is HI-LO? When the first track of his "Crank it up" was released in June this year, it drew quite a following as it was a great track but no one had heard of this guy before. Turns out HI-LO is an alias used by an already big up and coming name in the dance music genre and with it, he decided to launch his new record label "Heldeep" on which he will release all his music. Well, the question you must be asking still, is who is he? He is none other that Dutch Deep house genius Oliver Heldens! This kid can do no wrong it seems, his HI-LO alias is to produce high bass, fast paced Deep House music. This week's track is HI-LO's new one, "Renegade Mastah", it may sound familiar to you as it was used in the UMF Miami Aftermovie. It's a great track and quite a catchy one, and you got to give it up to Oliver, many of the new young EDM producers on the scene tend to head down the high techo sounds but he's sticking to what he loves and doing great with it, hopefully we'll see him again next year at Ultra South Africa. 

                    

Ultra South Africa 2016: Phase 1 headliners

Today all day Ultra will be releasing their Phase 1 artist line up for next years 3 day show piece that hits South Africa. With Ultra having already announced that both Cape Town and Johannesburg were going to be two day festivals, excitement levels across the country sky rocketed and with the Phase 1 line due to be announced today, ticket purchasers waited in anticipation to see if their favourite DJ was announced to play next year. Since 7.15am on DJ Fresh's morning show, 5FM have been unveiling the international headliners that will play at next years event. So far, fans have not been disappointed with 3 big names in the industry being announced. 

Anton Igorevich Zaslavki, better known by his stage name Zedd is no stranger to the Ultra Music Festival scene as he's been lighting up the stage in Miami for a while now. Having also performed at Ultra Europe this year, this would be the multi award winning artist first trip to the African continent. Fans may know him by his previous hits, "Find You" featuring Matthew Korma, "Stay the night" featuring Hayley Williams, "Clarity" featuring Foxes and most recently "I want you to know" featuring his love interest, Selena Gomez. The Russian-German producer is sure to wow the crowds next year. 

Another German joins the fray for Ultra South Africa 2016, this time its DJ and producer Robin Schulz. He's been around for a few years now with many remixes of various songs along the years, but it's only recently that he's been getting his solo stuff noticed. His latest single "Sugar" featuring Frencesco Yates has been a firm favourite on the 5FM playlists.

It wasn't that big of a secret that Dash Berlin was coming to SA next year which the Dutch trance DJ letting it slip on his Facebook page that he will be coming to South Africa in February 2016. There was doubt on whether it would be a for a solo tour or with Ultra but now that that speculation has been put to bed, Ultra goers can look forward to him killing it at the festival next year. I'm a firm fan of Dash and his remix of Zedd's Find You is still one of my favourite tracks.

If you haven't heard of them before, you probably heard some of their music as they've been dominating 5FM of recent with their hit single Runaway, better known as U & I. The Swedish electronic duo Galantis made up of Christian Karlsson and Linus Eklow make their Ultra SA debut in 2016 and are bound to rock the crowds with songs from their 2015 album, Pharmacy.

Ultra's second stage has been announced as well today, dubbed "Resistance", fans can catch acts such as American duo the Martinez Brothers, Seth Troxler and SA's very own Black Coffee tearing it up on there.

The last of the International artist headliners has been announced for Phase 1, and its none other than Skrillex! The American producer is no stranger to SA with him having toured the country before to sell out crowds. His style is unique and while many associate it to dubstep, he tends to disagree and calls it a different style of hard electro. Whatever its's called, we like it and you can look forward to it next year Feb!

Don't forget, Advanced Ticket sales open tomorrow and are only available from www.ultrasouthafrica.com. Sign Up and get yours first thing tomorrow, because trust me you do not want to miss out on next years Ultra! You can follow all the updates on their official Twitter  (@UltraSA), Facebook (Ultra South Africa) or Instagram (ultrasouthafrica) accounts.