The inaugural installment of Decadence, Global Dance Music’s New Year’s Eve bash at the Denver Convention Center, was the largest single day EDM event in Colorado history. And that was before the genre’s complete seizure of American radio. Its sophomore year could be even bigger. Yet the team that comprises Global—one of the state’s most successful event promoters for over a decade now—didn’t even consider tackling the holiday until 2012.
“I only decided to put together a big show last year because it fell on a Saturday,” says Ha Hau, one of Global’s primary partners (along with Kostas Kouremenos and Sub.mission’s Nicole Cacciavillano). “I always had a mediocre New Year’s Eve so I thought it’d be a good thing for Colorado if there was something massive. Since it was so successful, we’re doing it again. It attracted over 11,000 people.”
Global’s promotional muscle is immense. Drawing five digits in the midst of arguably stiff competition is no small feat. Headliners Flux Pavilion and BT surely didn’t hurt numbers. Then again, we’re talking about the company that made Global Dance Fest a fixture on Red Rocks’ summer calendar. Then expanded it to two days. Then three. Hau’s Church weekly Global Fridays with his own Triad Dragons has been a Mile High club mainstay for years. And last year they launched GlobalDanceMusic.com, a portal for zero-cost beats.
“It’s still in development but its definitely been fun. I’m very excited to showcase the final product soon. Who doesn’t love to get free dance music?”
Who doesn’t love free EDM? There might be someone in Antarctica who could care less. Maybe. The rest of us are all ears—mouse in hand.
“I thought dance music would grow in popularity but never thought to this level so quickly. It just ignited.”
Decadence’s second installment features Wolfgang Gartner, Zed’s Dead, Mimosa, Flosstradamus, Krewella and more.
Don’t wait until the last minute to get your TICKETS
additional reporting: Brian Hanna
George Peele enjoys strapping on height enhancers and aurally ambushing strangers. He is Music Editor for 303 Magazine. Follow Peele on Twitter: @Orangepeelmoses. Avatar image courtesy Jonathan Shoup.