Photos by Sara Wass
Steve Aoki knows how to make an announcement. On his way to tell the world of his plans to headline Madison Square Garden this summer, Aoki, along with rapper (and recent collaborator) Waka Flocka Flame, invited a few lucky fans on a double-decker bus ride through New York City. What the group of ten fans didn’t know was where they were going, or why.
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The special field trip started in the city’s iconic Financial District amidst towering skyscrapers and the newly complete Freedom Tower, shimmering in the midday sky.
After departing from the pick-up location the big red bus, usually reserved for vacationing tourists, made it’s way to the the swanky Tribeca Grand hotel to pick up the man of the hour—the one-and-only Steve Aoki.
The always smiling Dim Mak label boss emerged from the hotel’s revolving doors to unanimous applause from fans aboard the bus and even some wandering tourists outside the hotel. Steve soaked in all of the love then climbed aboard the double-decker.
One Aoki superfan we spoke with said he had seen the DJ perform over thirty times, mostly at the Atlantic City super-club, Revel, where Aoki holds a residency. “You can usually find me in the front row,” gushed the excited young gentleman. “I always tell my friends that if they aren’t at my house by 9PM to make our way over to the show, I’ll leave without them.”
After settling in on the bus, Steve made it a point to memorize everyone’s names. Yes, every single person. Even the bus driver. People alway say that Steve has more love for his fans than almost anyone else in the business, but seeing his passion first-hand was a truly special experience in and of itself.
At this point the bus made it’s way to the secret location: The world-famous, legendary arena, Madison Square Garden. We filed out of the bus and made our way into the famed venue’s main hall where Steve’s mysterious and long-awaited press conference was ready to take place.
Finally after a brief introduction and video, Steve took the stage behind the podium to make the announcement we were all waiting for. As reported, Steve will be performing at Madison Square Garden on August 16 in addition to releasing a two-part album, Neon Future, the first of which will drop just before his massive arena show, with the follow-up early 2015.
Neon Future will include guests appearances from musical heavyweights like Fall Out Boy, Empire of The Sun, will.i.am, Flux Pavilion, Bonnie McKee and Machine Gun Kelly. Steve also announced a year-long partnership with Bud Light Platinum, kicking off with his appearance in a 30-second commercial featuring his new track “Boneless.”
Steve even shed a few tears as he discussed how special it was to announce that he’ll be playing at such a major venue in a city that he has always “has had a big heart for.” The DJ talked about how his father lived in New York where Steve would visit him when he was a kid and that his father would be proud to see his son take such a massive stage. Describing his performances as “an experience beyond just a show,” he spoke about how “the music is part of culture creating more culture and defining identity.”
“I am myself here—when I’m in the studio or around my fans I’m unadulterated and not held back,” he told the crowd, even mentioning the more colorful component of his show, “caking” fans. “It’s about expression.”
After taking the time to chat and take some photos with many of his devoted fans, and of course, perform his infamous “Aoki jump,” the press conference ended and a few lucky fans and VIPs continued upstairs to spend some more time with Steve, Wacka Flaka and enjoy a Bud Light Platinum and some delicious hors d’oeuvres.
This may have been a momentous day in the life of Steve Aoki, but it was also a big moment for all electronic music culture. Madison Square Garden has only hosted appearances by a few of DJs in the past. On August 16, Steve Aoki will become one of the few and Platinum will be there to witness the magic.
