Electroland to return in 2018 after ‘magical’ debut
Electroland, the one-day EDM festival which took place for the first time at Disneyland Paris (yes, that Disneyland Paris) on Saturday, will return next year after getting off to a “magical start”, say organisers.
Electroland 2017 – which featured music from DJs Steve Aoki, Nervo, Richard Orlinski and Michael Calfan – was jointly produced by Disney Business Solutions, the events arm of Disneyland Paris, and My Love Affair, the production company run by French promoter (and former wife of DJ David) Cathy Guetta.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the famous drop ride found at Disney parks across the world, was lit up with video mapping and served as a backdrop for the festival stage, and festivalgoers could also access the park’s other attractions by night.
Headliner Aoki, meanwhile, included a nod to Disney in his set, dropping the song ‘Circle of Life’ from The Lion King (as well as, for some reason, Titanic’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’).
No dates have yet been announced for 2018, although promoters say to “watch this space” for further details.
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New EDM festival… at Disneyland Paris
Disney Business Solutions, the events arm of Disneyland Paris (DLP), has announced the launch of Electroland, a new one-day electronic dance music (EDM) festival taking over the theme park on the evening of 8 July.
With a capacity of 10,000, Electroland – whose name bears more than a passing resemblance to LiveStyle’s Tomorrowland and Mysteryland festivals, the former of which shares a name with a themed ‘land’ at several Disney parks – will “transform DLP into an EDM haven” with performances by Grammy-nominated DJ Steve Aoki, Australian duo Nervo and French house producer Michael Calfan and visual artist-turned-singer Richard Orlinksi.
“Electroland needs to be seen to be believed”
In addition to the music line-up, an Electroland ticket (priced at €68 for a standard pass or €85 for a ‘privilege’ VIP ticket) will give festivalgoers access to the park’s rides by night.
“With giant LED screens, projection mapping on to one of the park’s most iconic attractions – The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – some very special guests and surprise immersive elements, all set against a magical Disney backdrop, Electroland needs to be seen to be believed,” reads the launch blurb.
Disney Business Solutions also offers several for-hire venues for corporate events, including the 4,000-cap. Disney Events Arena, as well as the park itself.
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Electric Zoo sets sail for Shanghai
Electric Zoo, Made Event’s New York EDM festival, is following Electric Daisy Carnival to mainland Asia with the launch of its first event in China.
Electric Zoo: Countdown Shanghai, which takes place on 12 November at Shanghai Expo Park, will be produced in partnership with Shanghai-based distribution/promotion outfit Kanjian. No line-up has yet been announced, although SFX-owned Made promises “world-class artists and performers”.
“Following the success of Electric Zoo New York 2016 we felt the perfect next move was to continue the expansion of the festival to new markets,” says Adam Richman, festival director and Made Event’s senior vice-president in New York. “We couldn’t have picked a more exciting market – Shanghai – or a better partner, Kanjian. Electric Zoo Countdown is the perfect introduction of our brand to China and will be the stepping stone to bigger editions of Electric Zoo throughout Asia.”
“Electric Zoo Countdown is the perfect introduction of our brand to China and will be the stepping stone to bigger editions of Electric Zoo throughout Asia”
The festival recently expanded to Japan and, closer to home, Mexico.
“Kanjian, meaning ‘to be seen’, is committed to bringing the world’s best music to China,” adds Kanjian’s CEO, the ominous-sounding Mr Shen. “The music industry is about to take a tremendous leap forward in the name of EDM, and we’re proud to lead the way and introduce the world-class Electric Zoo experience to China. In close cooperation with SFX, one of the largest producers of live events and entertainment content, we aim to propel the festival to a whole new level.”
Here’s a poster:
At the time of its bankruptcy in February, SFX owed Made Event around US$10 million.
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