Above & Beyond, Alok, Claptone, David Guetta, Don Diablo, G-Eazy, Hardwell, Kygo, Lost Frequencies, Major Lazer Soundsystem, Morten, Paul Kalkbrenner, Steve Aoki, Anne-Marie, J Balvin, and many more created magical shows on the mainstage.
UNTOLD PRESS RELEASE:
Images © ALR Photography / Aaron Roberts
The seventh edition of the UNTOLD Festival was a blast! Over 360,000 people joined the magical realm from the heart of Transylvania, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on all 4 days and 4 nights of festival, August 4-7. People came from over 100 countries from Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia to live memorable experiences, enjoy some of the best artists on the planet, love and dance with friends and create new friendships on the ground. Over 200 local and international artists such as Above & Beyond, Alok, Claptone, David Guetta, Don Diablo, G-Eazy, Hardwell, Kygo, Lost Frequencies, Major Lazer Soundsystem, Morten, Paul Kalkbrenner, Steve Aoki, Anne-Marie, J Balvin, Amelie Lens, Ann Clue, Boris Brejcha, Tale of Us, Stephan Bodzin, Sebastien Leger, Audiofly, Jan Blomqvist joined the line-up.
The festival covered an area of 235,000 square meters and had 8 stages: mainstage, Galaxy stage, Alchemy stage, Daydreaming stage, Fortune stage, Time stage, Tram stage and Retro Fantasia stage. Many special music spots, over 70 vendors with food and drinks, a fashion corner called Designers' Nest – with over 30 Romanian designers, make-up artists, hairstyles and tattoos, partners activations, magical characters, entertainers, and dancers created amazing shows throughout the festival.
The UNTOLD's mainstage opened its gates for premiere live-acts and exclusive DJ sets. Over 85,000 participants experienced the UNTOLD magic on the first day of the festival. Claptone hosted the UNTOLD Festival opening ceremony with a unique show on August 4. Fans received masks similar to the German's hidden identity. Dancers, fairies, magical characters, and walking acts joined the mainstage and walked through the crowd on Claptone's show. It was a magical show with fireworks, special video projections and the presentation of the theme of the festival “Temple of Lúna”.
Morten electrified the atmosphere on the mainstage with his unique Future Rave sound. “I wanted so much to be here! I saw some drone shots made by my good friend David Guetta and I was amazed. Now I am here, part of this incredible story! UNTOLD is in the 5th place in the world? Are you sure? It is in the top 3 best festivals in the world,” said Morten. The Dutch DJ and producer amazed the crowd with his set. He included the remix version for the classic “Titanium,” the hits released together with his partner, David Guetta, “Impossible,” “Kill Me Slow,” “Never Be Alone,” “Permanence,” or “Make It To Heaven.” Every moment of Morten's live was pure energy. The Dutch artist joined the catwalk to get closer to his fans, danced with them, and ended his show by thanking the fans for their support and beautiful energy.
“UNTOLD, next year I will ask for 30 cakes because 10 are not enough,” said Steve Aoki when he ended his live show on the mainstage. Steve Aoki prepared a special set in which he presented his upcoming single “The Whistle,” made in collaboration with Timmy Trumpet.
“I'm extremely attached to this festival; it helped me a lot in my career, it helped me grow as an artist, and for that, I thank you!” said Aoki. The American DJ and producer created a Yat, a string of one to five emojis that can be used as a digital username for the UNTOLD Festival: the Count Dracula, a wizard, a musical note, and an alchemist.
Another mainstage premiere was the British trance act Above & Beyond, which came over with special messages. “If you too saw what we see from here on the stage, you would know that there is only one word to describe the moment: EPIC” this was the first message sent to the fans by the members of Above & Beyond.
The second day of the UNTOLD experience (August 5) was a memorable one, lived with great joy by over 90,000 participants. One of the most anticipated moments on the mainstage was the live show of the American rapper G-Eazy, who thanked the fans for how he was received at the Cluj-Arena. “You are the greatest crowd in the world! I am so far from home, but being here now is a blessing. With you by my side, I am at home!”.
The master of the future house style, the Dutch Don Diablo, was pure energy from the first to the last measure. With a DJ set of almost two hours, specially prepared for the seventh edition of the magic of UNTOLD, Don Diablo greeted his fans in Romanian: “Good evening, Romania!” and continued by saying, “It's great to be home tonight. UNTOLD I missed you!”. From classic songs, remix versions, or songs included in his new album, “FOREVER,” every moment of the Dutchman's live generated a colossal euphoria. Don Diablo, who ranks 7th in DJ Mag's Top 100, offered the fans of the UNTOLD Festival a new, unreleased production as a gift, danced with them, and carried the Romanian flag on his shoulders.
Germany's techno superstar Paul Kalkbrenner played for the first time on the mainstage of the UNTOLD Festival. His live show generated unique emotions and happiness in the crowd from the beginning until the end. Tens of thousands of fans sang the iconic “Sky and Sand” production, and the public looked like a sea of people. At the show's end, Paul Kalkbrenner bowed to the UNTOLD fans.
A “crowd control” taken to the next level was mastered by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. “You have remained the greatest crowd in the world. We missed you so much!” said Dimitri Vegas. The most anticipated moment of the two DJs' live was the famous “crowd control,” but at this edition of the UNTOLD Festival, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike tried something new – crowd control in which the audience moved eight steps behind and eight steps ahead.
August 6, the third day of the journey into the magical world of the UNTOLD universe was an incredible experience lived by the more than 95,000 fans of the festival. The UNTOLD mainstage seemed like a massive realm of joy and emotion experienced alongside the world's greatest artists.
One of the most anticipated moments was the Norwegian Kygo's show, which raised tens of thousands of hands in the air. The creator of the tropical house genre, present for the second time at the UNTOLD Festival, prepared a remarkable live show, which was received with enthusiasm by tens of thousands of fans worldwide.
A complete artist who makes magic with his piano, Kygo created a universe of genuine emotions with the songs included in his set. Tens of thousands of voices joined together to sing in unison to Kygo's greatest hits, and the UNTOLD mainstage turned into a thrilling sky-lighting enchantment from the first song to the last. The Norwegian's special guest was Justin Jesso, who performed the live version of the hit “Stargazing,” carried the Romanian flag, and thanked tens of thousands of fans in Romanian: “Romania, I love you and thank you!”. Kygo closed his show by playing one of the most emotional tracks in his discography, ‘Firestone,' to the enthusiastic crowd on piano and saying: ‘You've been an amazing audience. I love you so much!”
Each day of the UNTOLD experience offered premiere shows for Romania. Diplo, Jillionaire, and Walshy Fire, aka Major Lazer Soundsystem, were another great surprise from the creators of UNTOLD to the festival fans. Included by Billboard in the ranking of the best artists in the dance music spectrum, the Americans took the making of a live show to another level, with the audience being a part of the live of the three artists. Jillionaire constantly interacted with the fans throughout the show; the three Major Lazer members shared water in the audience and prepared a moment that exceeded everyone's expectations: the biggest water fight on the festival's mainstage.
David Guetta was highly excited to see the fans from Romania. The French DJ and producer thanked them for their constant support and for remaining the same enthusiastic audience that fully lives the joy of dancing and singing.
The Brazilian Alok, who ranks 4th place in the Top 100 best DJs in the world, prepared an exclusive show for UNTOLD and invited a Romanian artist, Mario Fresh, on stage. “Do you know what I feel? I feel like I am a part of this wonderful story called UNTOLD. It's a wish come true for me, and for making me part of your story, thank you!” Alok said.
Dutchman Oliver Heldens ended a legendary night at UNTOLD with a 90-minute set where he invited the crowd on a journey through the fascinating world of house and techno music.
The last day (4th) of UNTOLD Festival was lived with colossal joy by more than 90,000 fans. With impressive records, winner of 3 Latino Grammys, J Balvin is a global icon, an artist who contributed in a unique way to promote the Latino culture in a way no one has ever done before. The Colombian artist joined for the first time the UNTOLD Festival for a live show full of energy, during which the crowd sang and danced with him.”Romania is the first country outside of the South American continent that invited me to sing. I am grateful for your support. To be an artist, it's not a sprint; it is a marathon, and you made everything look so much easier. If you offer love, you will receive love back. UNTOLD, thank you for your invitation to be part of this journey. I love you!” said J Balvin to the fans from the Cluj-Arena, the home of the UNTOLD Festival's mainstage.
Lost Frequencies, one of the most charismatic artists, was one of the most beautiful surprises offered by the creators of the UNTOLD Festival for the emotional seventh chapter of the magical event. The Belgium artist declared his love for the magic created by the UNTOLD Festival each year. Lost Frequencies prepared a unique concept show and an exclusive version of his classic” Are you with me.” The closing ceremony prepared by the UNTOLD team was a show full of emotions, lights, fireworks, tears of joy, hugs between beautiful people, and the message:” UNTOLD, are you with me?”. It was a special moment that transformed the Cluj-Arena into a unique universe – UNTOLD – The World Capital of Night and Magic!
After a four years break, one of the world's biggest DJs, Hardwell, took the fun to the next level with an exclusive show. UNTOLD Festival was part of a select category of 4 big festivals included in his comeback tour “Rebels Never Die”. A true wizard of the big room house combined with tech, trance, and techno sounds, Hardwell invited his fans into a unique journey, a live show in which he included tracks from his future album that will be released this September. “Broken Mirror,” “Into the Unknown,” “Zero Gravity,” and “Mind Control,” the classic productions with which the Dutch DJ got into the dance music tops, and an unreleased track were part of the magic he created on the mainstage. The UNTOLD Festival was the first festival where Hardwell came with his own set-up for the stage.
“My tour manager asked me about the festivals I believe in, and I want to include them in my comeback tour. I answered immediately. UNTOLD, we are together because we share the same love for electronic music. Thank you, and I love you!” said Hardwell.
One of the most appreciated singers in the UK, ranked among the artists with the most views on YouTube, Anne-Marie had a live show for the first time in Romania. With an exceptional voice and extraordinary talent, Anne-Marie sang alongside the fans who came to see her show, joked with them, and created a beautiful connection through her songs.
The German Tujamo was the closing act for the seventh UNTOLD chapter. The DJ caught the sunrise with his fans at Cluj-Arena, who received him with great enthusiasm.
Artists from the Galaxy, Alchemy, Daydreaming, Fortune, Time, Tram, and Retro Party stages fascinated the tens of thousands of UNTOLD festival fans
Artists from Galaxy, Alchemy, Daydreaming, Fortune, Time, Tram, and Retro Party gathered tens of thousands of fans on all 4 days and 4 nights of the UNTOLD Festival.
The Alchemy stage is created especially for rap, trap, breakbeat, or dubstep fans. Top Romanian artists included in their sets premiere tracks, and the French Malaa, Noisia, in the DJ Set formula, L’Entourloop, Sub Focus B2B Wilkinson, Borgore, Netsky, Dub FX & Mr Woodnote joined the Alchemy stage.
The Galaxy Stage, the techno home of UNTOLD Festival, hosted DJEFF, Mahony, Raresh, and Jamie Jones B2B Loco Dice, Marcel Fengler, Anfisa Letyago, Amelie Lens, Richie Hawtin, Maceo Plex, Ann Clue, Mathame, Boris Brejcha, Reinier Zonneveld, Paco Osuna, Kevin de Vries, Stephan Bodzin, Tale of Us, Coeus and Fehrplay with a magical closing show of the festival.
The Daydreaming stage is where the subgenres of house are played. Caleesi & Sarah, Armen Miran & Hraach, Damian Lazarus, Audiofly, Lazare Hoche, Hernan Cattaneo B2B Nick Warren,a Jan Bloqmvist, Marwan, Day Dreamers are some of the artists who created a magical atmosphere in the forest.
The Time stage hosted Anna Tur, Kasia, Simina Grigoriu, Plastik Funk, Ferreck Dawn, Kristian Nairn, Korolova, Steff da Campo, Jack Orange B2B Will Johnston, and many more DJs and producers.
The Fortune stage got the likes of ATB, Ferry Corsten, Jorn Van, Markus Schulz, Aly & Fila, Jody Wisternoff, Ruben de Rond, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Andrew Rayel and many more.
The tram stage and Retro Fantasia stage hosted local and international artists.
The festival's production is impressive, with over 1,000 tons of materials, brought by over 500 trucks for all setups, from stages, and decorations to food and drinks areas, ticket containers, credit points, activations, and activities.
The magical gates of the UNTOLD universe have closed for the seventh chapter of this magical experience, but the journey continues.
See you in 2023!
The full gallery of photos, taken by ALR Photography across the 4 days can be accessed here.
