South Florida pop radio listeners are in for a special holiday-themed treat, complete with a nice pretty ball of glitter on top. Y-100 is back with another Jingle Ball, the all day concert-palooza featuring some of today's biggest superstars. To top things off, the gravitational pull around PSY might cause Miami to collapse in onto itself this weekend.
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To get prepared for this sort of end of the earth experience, we chatted it up with Y-100 DJ Mack from the Mack @ Nite show and got the inside scoop on the Biebs and were promised that we'll be unable to resist Enrique Iglesias's natural sex appeal.
New Times: It is a little hard to tell that it's December, living in South Florida and all. Is there anything Y-100 is planning to do to make it really feel like the holidays?
Mack: Absolutely! We have some surprises. Last year, David Guetta went all out with the stage setup, and there is going to be something very, very cool this year in keeping with that tradition. I would personally like to have flying sleigh, but don't know if that is in the budget. There is going to be a big EDM vibe with Afrojack and Zedd playing, plus we are in Miami, so the stage show will be wild!
Justin Bieber is taking the hosting duties, eh? Does that mean he'll be doing some standup material between sets? Or just talking a little bit before he does his own songs?
To me, Justin Bieber is one of those guys that just has it. Everyone knows him from singing, but he is a really solid, all around talented guy. He is going to bring a different element to the show. We don't have him performing, just hosting. This is one dude that is able to captivate all of Madison Square Garden! He is going to be the perfect host.
Ke$ha is back with a new album and a her new "warrior'" stance. Are you expecting to see a lot of glitter charged Ke$ha party animals in the crowd, or more silent fans?
Are you kidding me? There is going to be glitter everywhere! We have been taking bets on how much we are spending on glitter for the stage show. Ke$ha fans go all out with the full neon and crazy outfits. I think they even rival Gaga fans! I'm really excited to see what her fans bring on Saturday.
New Times saw Enrique with J Lo a few months ago and he put on a helluva unique, uber-sexual show. Does Miami go nuts for this guy or is it just him?
The whole world goes nuts for that guy! I was there with my pregnant wife and she wanted to climb on stage and kiss him. He is a real sex magnet that is going to turn up the sex appeal for Jingle Ball. Ladies and guys all love Enrique; including myself. Every show he takes a fan up from the audience and sings to her, he really gives her a special moment. I talked to him, and I asked if he has ever run into a jealous boyfriend or girlfriend. He said "No way, most of the time the guys are throwing their girls at me!" He is definitely bringing the sexiness to Jingle Ball.
I read that in Korea, PSY is already a megastar on his 6th album. Do you think he will be able to pull off a real music career in the US or just become a one-hit-wonder?
I think with social media being the way it is, people want music and it is so easy to find new artists. PSY is a big breakout artist, he has millions of YouTube hits and is breaking records, there is no way you can call him a one hit wonder. Especially now that Justin Beiber's manager, Scooter Braun, is working with him, PSY is set up to be huge! I would love to hear a "Gangnam Style Part II" or maybe even a ballad, who knows? We are super excited to hear everything else he will perform and Jingle Ball.
I sense a little trend here. Karmin, PSY, and Justin Bieber all found their popularity through YouTube. How do you think social media will play into the festival this weekend?
I am so glad you asked that, we are making social media a big part of Jingle Ball. The event hashtag is #Y100JINGLEBALL and when you tweet us @Y100Miami or @MackontheRadio using the hashtag, a giant screen will show everyone's tweets throughout the night. Plus, we have an amazing staff and are going to use social media to go behind the scenes. We are going to show people how Jingle Ball runs backstage and stream everything. You will be able to see Bieber walking in, getting interviewed, and hanging out in our lounge. I will be backstage talking with fun. and Ke$hsa and everyone before the show. People in the crowd and at home can follow along and people in the crowd will get the ultimate experience; we will be tweeting photos and videos constantly. It will all be very interactive.
I'm one of those people that is still pissed that fun. got famous and the Format didn't, but at least their music is getting out to a whole new audience. I hear their live show is ridiculous, do you think they will be the surprise scene stealers this weekend or someone else will take that title?
You know what? With Jingle Ball, you just never know, but I did hear some amazing things about their live show. When I talked with lead singer Nate Ruess, he told me they love doing radio shows because they get to expose their music to people who might not be fans already. I'm expecting something serious from this band. I guarantee they are going to turn it up for Jingle Ball. Especially after seeing them on SNL!
Local boy Flo Rida will most certainly be using his home court advantage. How is Miami going to be represented and depicted this weekend?
We are a real party town! We go all out! Flo Rida has been at numerous Jingle Balls and that dude just knows how to party and turn it up. Miami just represents itself. We are a party city and this is one of the biggest parties of the year. Jingle Ball has become real tradition for this city. I have parents come up to me and say "I took my daughter here 7 years ago, now I'm taking my younger daughter." People have done this for years and I am so happy to be a part of it. It is all going to unfold this weekend!
Any more surprises to look forward to?
When you come to Jingle Ball, you never know who is going to show up. A lot of artists live in Miami and have collaborations with our performers, I can't say yes or no on who is popping up but just be ready for surprises. It's Jingle Ball, who knows what will happen!? We just want to make sure everyone has a great time.
Y100's Jingle Ball 2012. 7 p.m., Saturday, December 8, at the BB&T Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise. Featuring an appearance by guest host Justin Bieber and performances by Enrique Iglesias, Ke$ha, OneRepublic, Neon Trees, PSY, Ed Sheeran, Austin Mahone, Karmin, Cher Lloyd, Zedd, fun., Afrojack, Flo Rida and Megan & Liz. Visit Ticketmaster.com.
Y100's Jingle Ball 2012. 7 p.m., Saturday, December 8, at the BB&T Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise. Featuring an appearance by guest host Justin Bieber and performances by Enrique Iglesias, Ke$ha, OneRepublic, Neon Trees, PSY, Ed Sheeran, Austin Mahone, Karmin, Cher Lloyd, Zedd, fun., Afrojack, Flo Rida and Megan & Liz. Visit Ticketmaster.com.
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