Why did you start the UMI Festival?
I host a monthly social event called Feel Good Series. It’s a platform for emerging DJs and live performance acts. UMI, which is dubbed the Mother of Feel Goods, is a celebration and culmination of all the good work we would have done the previous year. It’s a bigger platform that allows us to shout even louder just how creative we are. It’s an exhibition of some of the talent we’ve had and some we wished we could have had.
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What sets it apart from any other musical experience?
A unique feature of the festival is its community-curated line-up, where 50% comes from recommendations given to us by our supporters, making UMI truly a festival for the people, and by the people.
Who is UMI Festival for?
It is for fun-loving creative spirits. If a 12-hour celebration of music, art and film excites you, then this festival is for you!
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How important is the venue?
For events, I consider all senses – sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing. The selection of Victoria Yards was all about satisfying sight because the venue is indeed a visual feast. It’s an urban complex with artisan studios, urban farming and much more. The lush oasis is set against an industrial backdrop, and has enough beautiful pockets to delight guests, photographers and Instagrammers.
Curating the line-up, why these artists?
The other half of our line-up consists of emerging artists who have either had an amazing year or that we believe just need to be heard. There are a lot of great music, films, performance and visual art out there. UMI seeks to be the go-to platform to celebrates the diversity of the amazing talent that’s available.
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If you had no boundaries or limitations, what would be that one event that you’d host?
I would still be hosting my properties, namely UMI, the Feel Good Series and Pantone Sundays. With no limitations, I’d work at fully realising all of them.
#UMIOurMusicFestival is happening at Victoria Yards, Lorentzville, on 29 February. Get your tickets here.
