This past weekend Sun City Music Festival took place at Ascarate Park in El Paso for two straight days of insanity. One avid party goer decided to wear a custom LED helmet he made himself in the likeness of Marshmello and had what amounts to a surreal experience. Check out the video of what happened below, shot by friend Johnny Bund.
After hearing about what happened, I set out to go straight to the source and find out more about the man behind what has now become a widely shared incident. It goes without saying that Michael is a big fan of Marshmello. When I asked him about his love of Marshmello, this is what he had to say:
“Ok so I’ve followed Marshmello from the beginning and just love his music. When he did his remix of Jack U’s and Justin Bieber’s Where Are U Now, it was just so good that I listened to all of his music and wanted to see him. I bought tickets to see him this year at Stereo Live in Houston and that was going to be the first time I saw him but I planned a last minute trip and bought tickets to UME in South Padre where I saw him play his set then go on again because Like Mike and Dimitri Vegas couldn’t make it due to plane issues.”
“I originally made the helmet to wear and go see Getter when he came to Stereo Live in Houston and people’s response to it was crazy. Everyone kind of knows me at Stereo Live Houston because I go there alot dressed up in crazy outfits and I’m always having a good time. So people already knew who I was. Getter even gave me a shout out during the show. He said “ I see you Marshmello” and my friends picked me up and put me on their shoulders.”
SCMF was crazy for me. This was the second time I’ve ever worn the helmet out and when I put on the helmet after walking in the front gate people instantly wanted pictures and I had no problem with it because I’m used to taking a lot of pictures everywhere I go because of my costumes. Every time someone asked me if I was the real mello I told them, “I’m just Mike from Houston” but no one would really believe me or they would say “Ok, can I still take a picture?” I wasn’t going to tell them no. I watched Mello’s entire set from the right side Vip area and he was amazing as always. One of the actors with the stilts even asked to take my helmet and he put it on and bounced around during the set. We decided it was time to leave about 1:45 or so and when I walked out of the vip area everything was fine. We had just previously came from the left side of the stage watching Galantis to the right side of the stage and watched Kaskade’s set in the other vip area. People wanted pictures and I was fine with it but it wasn’t a issue or like big crowds. Just the normal picture squads that came up all day long. We got about midway to the front entrance where people started asking for pictures and I was like ok a few then next thing I know people were everywhere and all of a sudden flashlights were all around me and security was everywhere and they asked where I was going, and I said to the front entrance I’m leaving to go home. So they helped me get to where I was going safely. They were really professional about everything and I’m happy they were there to assist me or it would probably ended up with myself or someone else getting hurt from all the people.
We are happy to have been able to talk to Michael and glad that no one got hurt. Celebrity or not, people deserve their space and should not be accosted. With that said, the fans are mostly respectful and are just out to show love to one of their favorite artists. Marshmello has a dedicated fan base that often dresses up in white and dons helmets like the one he wears during his performances. The quick rise of Marshmello has been crazy, to say the least, seeing him perform at festivals around the country and the world. And yet, in spite of all the fame, Marshmello keeps his feet planted on Earth instead of letting his ego take over.
Marsmello speaks of more than just himself when he speaks about the music that emanates from the Marshmello persona. In a tweet, he described Marshmello as a “project for the people,” saying that “anybody and everybody can and is marshmello. You don’t need a big name, you just need quality music.” Anonymity is not a new thing. One of the most popular and well known acts in electronic dance music, Daft Punk, wears helmets. Deadmau5 started out wearing a mouse head. The headgear is part of the artist’s image, but in the case of all three, the music comes to the forefront as the person behind the mask(s) disappears. I like how Marshmello caters to the notion of his fans being instrumental to the music experience and to having a good time. Michael, we salute you. You and your equally eye catching, personable girlfriend Katie are what we need more of in the scene. Keep being you and stay mello, my friends.
I was listening to electronic dance music without even knowing it when I was listening to Jock Jams in the 90s. Fast forward to my senior year in high school and I had discovered Fatboy Slim. I have been listening to edm ever since and love writing about new sounds, good sounds, and the music that makes us move.
