MaRLo - Triple Threat
Australian electronic music chameleon MaRLo is putting the finishing touches on his ALTITUDE event which takes place in Melbourne next month. The event which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary, is expecting a 15000 strong crowd and will see the musician/producer take the stage for three unique sets including a B2B set with fellow Aussie Will Sparks. We had the privilege of throwing a few questions at superstar, where we got an insight into the history of ALTITUDE, what can fans expect from the 2026 edition of the event and why he would like to team up with Liam Howlett from The Prodigy.
Firstly MaRLo,congratulations on the 10th anniversary of ALTITUDE, where did theinspiration for the event originally come from?
Thanks! I can barely believe it's been 10 years already. The inspiration came from wanting to do my own "concert" style event with live vocalists and extended sets to show the full range of the "MaRLo Sound"
Over the last two years, you have expanded the ALTITUDE brand internationally, with stages at the Djakarta Warehouse Project andlast year at Creamfields. How did these mammoth opportunities come about? Has the continued success and growth of the event surprised you?
ALTITUDE has done stand-alone events in Asia since 2016 already and every event has sold out, Malaysia, Indonesia, and even China has had ALTITUDE events - so it made sense to partner with some other big brands in those territories for a stage hosting. It hasn't been a huge surprise if I'm honest, because we started in smaller venues and the brand has grown gradually. We always put a lot of energy and effort into making sure the events are world class and super epic, which makes people keep coming back each year and tell their friends to come to. It's been an amazing journey.
“year on year we’ve grown and it’s been incredible to see”
Did you ever think in 2016 ALTITUDE would be a 15,000 plus event that sells out every year?
It happened gradually, so I didn't dare to dream of those big numbers at the start. But year on year we've grown and it's been incredible to see. For sure it's a pinch myself moment now looking back from how we started to what it is now.
Next month the 10th edition of ALTITUDE will take place in Melbourne. What can ticket holders look forward to from this milestone event?
They will be blown away by the lasers, production, and music. But most of all the vibe and sense of community is something you don't get atany other event. In a weird way even though it's a large scale event... the smiles and general vibe feels intimate at the ALTITUDE events and is full of love and unity.
“Doing the 3 sets gives me the creative freedom to play all the styles of music I love.”
ALTITUDE will feature sets by MaRLo, Tech Energy and V3NOM – your HardDance persona. What was the original concept behind having the different stage variants?
MaRLo is for the feel-good vibes, big sing along moments, hands in the air, Euphoric and melodic. Tech Energy is more aggressive, dark, Techy and eclectic. No limits or boundaries but a general vibe of intense energy. V3NOM is an all-out Hard Dance set. A combination of all the harder styles of music. Doing the 3 sets gives me the creative freedom to play all the styles of music I love.
What challenges does having three sets at the one event create and how do you decide which song fits where in the alias landscape? I don't find it challenging to be honest. It's a breath of fresh air and relief for me to get to play all the music I love across the 3 sides of me (that's why V3NOM is spelt with a V3 - it's the 3rdversion of me). In my usual Festival 1hr sets I still play all 3styles but just crammed within the confinement of a 1hr set... So at ALTITUDE I get to play longer within each sound which just gives me a better opportunity to really dive into each style more.
“We want to keep it a big surprise for both the crowd and ourselves...It’s got to feel like a proper back to back set.”
There is a lot of excitement for your B2B set with fellow Aussie EDM giant Will Sparks. What sort of preparation go into a B2B set?
We want to keep it a big surprise for both the crowd and ourselves, so not too much preparation at all. It's got to feel like a proper back to back set. A blend of Will's and my styles. Not just a pre-rehearsed and perfectly planned showcase.
ALTITUDE is run by Symbiotic, an amazing promoter for EDM in this country but what people might not know is Symbiotic Co-Director is your beautiful wife, Janette. Does this ever create friction for you both at home?
Sure. I think anything you are passionate about, and strong opinions can create some friction. But we both are focused on making ALTITUDE the best it can be each year.
“most things we decide with the whole team and we value feedback and opinions from other people”
Who gets the final say when a decision needs to be made regarding an event like ALTITUDE?
Depends on what it is... the creative side is more me, the business and marketing side is more her. But most things we decide with the whole team and we value feedback and opinions from other people too.
How did you get your start in music?
I started doing computer animation, and for my animations I needed audio backing tracks and sound effects… So, I started producing music. I ended up loving the audio side more than the visual side, so I kept producing music.
Where was your first gig? Was it a success or flop?
My first LIVE gig was with my friend Michael Simpson as Liquid M(playing live keyboards, drum machines, samplers) it was at my own birthday party, then a couple of years later or so the first ever gig was at the Dendy in Sydney - at our own event- the original version of ALTITUDE... it was a big success - sold out show at $8 tickets. Nobody else wanted to book us, so we started our own parties.
@katarinacvetko
Dead or Alive, who would be your ultimate Collab Partner be and why?
I'm going to pick 3 artists. Avicii - insanely talented, king of the melodies - and Tim was a great guy. I had the pleasure of hanging out with him a few times - and the world lost a real one :(. Chris Martin from Coldplay - I love the songwriting and melodic big stadium rock anthems, mixed with emotional sad songs. Liam Howlett from The Prodigy - The Prodigy are the group that made me fall in love with Dance Music and he's a true innovator and pioneer of aggressive dance music.
If you could only play one style of music for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Hmmm just as I do now, I wouldn't stick to one genre, never been in to one genre or bpm range... so for the rest of my life I'll play the songs that move me and that I would want to hear if I was on the dancefloor.
“I’ve played every major festival in the world and I have some incredible memories from all those experiences”
What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
Probably ALTITUDE... I've played every major festival in the world and I have some incredible memories from all those experiences... but nothing quite beats doing your own show, together with Wifey and Richie as the promoters. It's like a family business.. It's truly special.
@katarinacvetko
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Wifey. She's helped in almost every role in my career over the years, she's kinda taken a step back from my stuff the last few years to focus on her own business now (being one of Australia's biggest promoters) But I'll never forget what we built together.
Do you have a message for the MaRLo fans and supporters?
Thank you! Without your support and love, I don't get to do what I love. My idea of success is to be able to spend your time doing something you love and bringing happiness to people. Everyone that has supported me over the years helped me be able to do that!
Tickets for ALTITUDE are available now via marlomusic.com
