Exciting news! Jason F, the Hong Kong-based DJ and producer, is on the line-up for this year’s Ultra Taiwan, taking place from November 16th to 17th, 2024. Jason will be performing at the Resistance stage on November 17th (Sunday), alongside artists such as Kasha, Youna, Adam Sellouk, Chris Avantgarde, and ARTBAT.

We caught up with Jason before he heads to the festival to learn more about his history in Hong Kong’s nightlife scene and his future plans.

hkclubbing.com: How did you get into DJing and producing, and what drew you to pursue this path?

Jason F: I started DJing after being introduced to a pair of turntables and a mixer at my uncle's house. One day, a club owner heard my mixtape and invited me to become their resident DJ.

hkclubbing.com: How would you describe the music you play, and which venues do you often DJ at?

Jason F: This year, my friend DJ Darka and I launched a club night called LOT & ADDICTION. We play music styles similar to the “Innervisions label,” focusing on techno and house. For each event, we invite guest DJs to showcase different genres. So far, we’ve successfully held our seventh event, and the response from attendees has been fantastic. Everyone really enjoys it!

(Jason F poster for Ultra Taiwan 2024)

hkclubbing.com: We know you've organized events in the past (we’ve been there!). What was your favourite international DJ event that you organized?

Jason F: My festival event series started in 2002 and has hosted over 250 overseas DJ events, spanning the entire rave party era. One year, I invited Armin Van Buuren to Hong Kong, and we had 6,800 attendees. We also brought Carl Cox and Dubfire to the city, but due to venue issues, we had to relocate to an outdoor space in Tuen Mun. Concerned about noise affecting nearby residents, we constructed a sound barrier using over 100 containers. In the end, the last-minute venue change still drew over 4,600 people, proving that our team’s hard work paid off.

hkclubbing.com: How did you secure your set at Ultra Taiwan, and what music can we expect from you?

Jason F: For Ultra Taiwan, just like at Ultra Hong Kong in September, I was invited to perform on the Resistance Stage. I’ll be playing some of my own tracks along with high-energy, driving-style techno. I’m very excited about this opportunity!

(The Resistance Stage for Ultra Taiwan 2024)

hkclubbing.com: Any advice for up-and-coming DJs on how they can get a chance to perform on one of the Ultra stages?

Jason F: There are several important factors to consider if you want to be invited to perform at major music festivals, especially Ultra. It’s a very rigorous organization, and all decisions must undergo final approval by their Miami HQ. Your DJ and music biography is crucial. You need ample international performance experience and a proven track record of supporting or sharing the stage with well-known international DJs.

Additionally, having your own music that ranks on Beatport (e.g., Top 10) and attracts international DJs to play your tracks is key to gaining exposure and increasing visibility. These are essential qualifications for participating in major music festivals.

hkclubbing.com: What’s been your most memorable moment on stage, and what event was it at?

Jason F: Between 2016 and 2018, I took a break from DJing to pursue a full-time career as a race car driver. During this time, my team owner, Kenneth Ma, arranged for a DJ booth to be installed on a Renault race car, allowing me to perform as a DJ at the opening ceremony of the Le Mans Prototype (LMP) event during the Formula 1 race circuit in Shanghai. There were up to 12,000 spectators at the racetrack, making it an unprecedented performance for me. After my set, I competed in the race and aimed for a great result. This experience is one I will never forget, as it perfectly combined two of my greatest passions on the same day.

(Jason F DJing in Renault race car)

hkclubbing.com: Any overseas shows or bookings planned for 2025?

Jason F: From the end of this year through 2025, I’ll be focusing on producing music in the studio. At the same time, I’ll continue working hard to secure performances at Ultra music festivals in different countries. I’ve also received an invitation from Womb, a renowned techno nightclub in Japan.

Thanks to Jason F for the interview and to find out more about Jason F visit instagram.com/dj_jasonf.

To find out more about Ultra Taiwan visit ultrataiwan.com.

(The full line-up for Ultra Taiwan 2024)

(Image Source: Provided by Jason F)