In recent weeks, through our Facebook page, we talked a lot about this event. Unlocked Music Festival was the biggest #EDM event in Sicily and this year, after four very long years, it managed to bring back a former world #1 DJ once again: Hardwell.
Unlocked is no stranger to huge events like this. In previous years, it already introduced Sicily to artists such as Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Bingo Players, Nicky Romero, Kaskade, Michael Calfan and many others. As a Sicilian myself, I can assure you that events like these are extremely rare, and it truly took many years to achieve results like this. A huge thank you goes to the organization behind the Unlocked Music Festival project, now celebrating its 5th edition.
Due to reasons unrelated to music, I couldn’t personally experience this incredible event: Hardwell is one of my favorite artists, but I wanted to let someone who actually attended the event tell you how it went. Someone who also had backstage access with the Dutch DJ and had the chance to shake his hand: Caterina Margarone, winner of the contest organized by Wonder Manage with over 9,000 views on her video.
Caterina, how was it?
C: “I arrived around 8:30 PM and there was already a massive crowd waiting to go crazy to the music of the Dutch DJ. Shortly after, I went to the backstage area overlooking the stage: it was beautiful, an enormous structure with a setup worthy of the biggest events.”
What can you tell us about KillTheBuzz?
C: “He played for an hour before Hardwell. His set was extremely energetic and completely destroyed the dancefloor in his signature style, but the crowd was only waiting to see the former world #1 DJ and go absolutely wild.”
How was the backstage experience?
C: “It was amazing: I showed him my tattoo saying ‘United We Are’ dedicated to him, and he hugged me saying ‘you are beautiful’. He was incredibly kind and available, we took a selfie together and he gave me an autograph, then it was time for the stage.”
Tell us about Hardwell’s DJ set:
C: “He stepped on stage and made us jump for two straight hours, opening with a ‘Ciao Italia, Ciao Palermo’. He explored many different genres as he always does, also playing some edits with Linkin Park and a few mysterious IDs. Hearing his remix of ‘Don’t Let Me Down‘ by The Chainsmokers live was an incredible emotion. So many hits, including ‘Sweet Dreams’ and some Deorro masterpieces. We jumped nonstop for two hours, it was beautiful. He closed the set with some Hardstyle in full Koningsdag style. It was an indescribable emotion.”
Credits: Caterina Margarone – Wonder Manage – Unlocked Music Festival – ICONA media&events – Paolo Castronovo PH
