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Set against the backdrop of breathtaking snowy peaks, an energetic pulse ran through Aspen this past February with the third-ever highly anticipated return of Palm Tree Music Festival to the mountains. Yet amidst the influencers donning their fur trapper hats and puffers, the high-energy EDM beats that filled the area paired with clinking glasses filled to the brim with Don Julio cocktails made the snowy peaks feel more like a tropical escape — and Kygo wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’ve been coming to Aspen playing shows at Belly Up & The X Games for many years before we started Palm Tree Festival Aspen,” the electronic artist told Rolling Stone. “The town truly is a special place and showcases the Palm Tree state of mind isn’t tied to a season — it’s a way of life. The goal for Palm Tree Festival is always to create an unforgettable experience that brings together a community from across the globe.”
Kygo headlining at Palm Tree Music Festival on Feb. 21, 2025
Don Julio
This year’s star-studded lineup especially was music to everyone’s ears, including several of Kygo and Myles Shear’s Palm Tree Crew artists like Sofi Tukker, Victoria Nadine and Forester that bring a certain type of beachside, “club-y” spirit to their work. Rio Grande Park was transformed into a island paradise, with space heaters and a neon-colored tropical-themed lounge keeping the VIP section cozy. You could go from throwing back a shot ski, to munching on lobster rolls and Hawaiian pork skewers. Even for the music, Kygo says they’re always looking to push boundaries when it comes to blending genres every year (the White Stripes performed at the Aspen iteration of the fest in 2023) and supporting up-and-coming DJs, but the EDM trade stars are always a mainstay, ones you might associate with hot nights in St. Tropez or Montecito (the next two PT music festivals you can still get tickets to this year) than a winter escape.
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But this unique “never ending summer” vibe isn’t just in the music stages they curate — the two recently worked with the Tao Group to open up a tropical oasis-themed space on the Las Vegas strip with their Palm Tree Beach Club. Spanning 60,000 square feet, the club includes a ground-level stage, salt water pool, VIP bottle service, along with bungalows, cabanas, daybeds and chaise lounges for 3,000 guests. “The goal was to curate an experience that transports you outside of Vegas for the afternoon and takes you to a tropical, Palm Tree state of mind,” said Myles.
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Don Julio 1942 Añejo Tequila
They’re not doing their festivals alone, either; more often than not, Don Julio has been there for the ride and not just for the music. Myles describes the essence of Palm Tree Crew as laid-back luxury, great music, and an atmosphere that makes you never want to leave, and maybe there’s something about a tequila cocktail in hand that helps out with all that (or warms you up when temps start dipping down on those Aspen winter nights). They’ve partnered with Don Julio for years to create everything from custom cocktails to limited-edition, ski-inspired merchandise. Maybe that’s why once you’re in the crowd at Palm Tree Festival, it looks a lot like your For You Page during vacation season, this year’s iteration attended by influencers like Alix Earle, Braxton Berrios, and Dixie D’Amelio.
After the Aspen fest, Rolling Stone sat down with Kygo and Myles to talk everything from how they curate the the “endless summer” energy of PTC, to on the road travel essentials, what he wears when he’s DJing a festival set.
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Cloud Nine (Vinyl LP)
Kygo mentioned that the response to their festival this year had been electric, to say the last. “This year, we sold out the event and saw a 37% increase in hotel rates — outpacing even President’s Day Weekend, which is historically Aspen’s busiest. The demand and energy surrounding this festival reinforce that Palm Tree Crew has been amazing to see.” Even if you missed out on the fest, while DJs aren’t exactly known for dropping physical media, headliners Kygo himself, LP Giobbi, and Sofi Tukker all have LPs available online so you can keep that summertime energy rolling year-round.
Beyond the music, Myles remarks that their partnerships also define a good lot of the “vibe” of Palm Tree Music Festival, whether on the beach in Mexico, or below the slopes in Colorado. “A true partnership is about evolution, and we work closely with brands to continuously find fresh, innovative ways to bring that ‘Palm Tree Crew’ lifestyle to life. Whether through curated activations, limited-edition merch, or immersive on-site experiences, we want every touchpoint to feel thoughtful and unforgettable.”
Alo
Double Take Short Sleeve Polo
So, what does Kygo don on stage when even the tropical energy of PTC can’t effect the temperature of outdoor Aspen in February?
“I don’t have any go-to outfits, but I’m a big fan of Alo lately. It also depends on the weather as I’ve played outdoor shows in cold weather like Palm Tree Festival in Aspen in February and also have residencies in warm weather places like Las Vegas & Ibiza.” We love this relaxed, boxy fit polo for an outdoor fest in the summer, but if you want to bundle up, their Accolade Crew Neck Pullover has a streetwear vibe while keeping you warm and comfortable enough to go front row in the cold.
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Anker Laptop Power Bank
Since the festival series’ debut in 2021, Palm Tree Festival has had iterations in Aspen, Colorado, Cabo, Mexico, Pag, Croatia, and more. With other residencies to headline throughout the year, Kygo hits the road a lot. “Other than my laptops, a couple pairs of headphones and some portable chargers, I don’t pack much out of the ordinary.”
Even if you’re just a concertgoer, you should never attend a multi-day music festival without a battery pack that can charge your phone several times over. The one we’re recommending is Anker’s newest 25,000mAh Power Bank, which holds enough juice that it can fully recharge your phone, laptop, earbuds, cameras and even a portable gaming console. It has Swiss Army-like functionality with a USB-A and three USB-C ports, and even has two built-in retractable cables if you forget your own cables.
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Celsius Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack (Pack of 12)
As someone who DJs internationally across time zones and takes on pretty late night sets, beating jetlag is always front of mind — although that doesn’t necessarily mean going hard either. “I don’t really party during my shows because I’m usually playing piano. I try to get a nap in before shows and usually have an energy drink before I go on stage. Going to the gym while on the road is always really helpful for staying healthy and beating jetlag while I’m on tour.”
Another festival sponsor, Celsius did pull out the stops this year to keep festivalgoers on their toes and ready to party. They reportedly kept GA attendees energized with free drinks and cold weather-merch like beanies and headscarves.
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Custom Molded Professional High-Fidelity Filter Earplugs
Hearing health has also been a big topic in the festival performance world recently — how do you even begin to protect your ears on stage if you’re DJing night after night?
“It’s definitely something that is extremely important, I know a lot of other DJs and musicians who have experienced hearing problems. I always use custom-molded earplugs when I perform or when I’m out at a concert to protect my hearing.” Unlike traditional foam earplugs that muffle sounds and distort audio, these Decibullz earplugs were specially-designed for musicians and concertgoers who want the best in sound fidelity (maintaining the clarity and richness of music and voices) while still protecting their hearing in loud environments. Consider checking out some of our other favorite earplugs for concerts here.
