The Human Behind the Headliner: Kaskade's Personal and Professional Rebirth

You know a DJ is really stressed and perhaps even not happy when they can’t or don’t look at their fans on the rail because they don’t want them to know. However, keep reading because I have an update based on his recent surprise appearance at Apocalypse Festival and his set at Giving Thanks Festival in San Francisco.

Back on Halloween, Ryan performed at the Supernatural Festival in Denver. Right away, I could tell something was wrong. Ryan is not the most animated of DJ’s outside of his signature battle cry “Come ON” that he will yell during his larger festival sets or dedicated concerts. He was sad. I was on the rail and it was apparent to me but not anyone else from looking down the rail probably because I see his sets regularly over many years.

When Kaskade has things on his mind during a set - he barely looks up from the DJM-900NXS aka the mixer. I don't know why I had to write that LOL.

Later, I came to learn that Ryan and his wife, Naomi Raddon, of 28 years had filed for divorce on October 16, 2024 in Los Angeles; citing irreconcilable differences. Sad news...I will say though that this was validating news because it showed that I had seen enough sets to have a vibe check of Ryan’s mood and levels of excitement at or during his sets (case in point, at his Tulum Zamna set on February 6, 2024, he was either sick or pissed off up there - not sure which but something was wrong).

In contrast, it was not the Ryan I knew from my favorite set of Kaskade to date at Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2023 at National Orange Show. This set is one of the greatest I have ever seen from any artist at NOS the last 6 years.

Ryan had really prepared something special for this performance and he had an insane set design by Pasquale Rotella with exquisite visuals and lighting. Ryan was happy and really present. Those “Come ON’s” were from his soul. The energy was one of the best that I had ever been part of out of the 20 Insomniac Events that I have gone to at the rave ninja training grounds, NOS in San Bernardino, California.

He is in a valley right now and he is forcing himself to go through the routine and motions knowing that he will eventually come out of it. His kids are grown now. He has all the money in the world, the fame, the friends, he created Kx5, but something is missing.

I should also add that it would appear from a distance, Ryan and Naomi had learned to fly helicopters together as a fun effort to spend time together and perhaps even “save their marriage”; who knows though - as I said it is an observation.

This was also the case for Mr. Armin Van Buuren in 2019. He had run himself into the ground from his touring schedule and being back in Amsterdam every week to record his radio program A State of Trance. He was losing his marriage and not seeing his kids grow up. His health was also at its worst; it is all there in his vlogs during 2019. For Armin, covid was the reset and priority shift that he needed. He literally had arrived at a place of not even wanting to make music - if it were not for Benno than I don’t think many tracks would have come out - collaborations or not. This is also documented by Armin himself in his videos explaining what his ‘This Is Me: Feel Again’ - 4 dates of shows in Amsterdam at Ziggo Dome from June 2 thru 5, 2022 which I was there for of course.

Lest I digress, Ryan has the support from close friends like Pasaquale Rotella and Joel Zimmerman; although I don’t see them chatting much about their marriages despite Pasquale and Joel’s own divorces in recent years; those being Holly Madison and Kelly Fedoni, respectively.

The best therapy for depression is often work. Ryan has produced a number of real gems the last 12 months, per usual, but has been in collaborations with the likes of many of his favorite people like John Summit, Alison Wonderland, Wilkinson, and younger newcomers like Dutch producer, Just_Us.

And if all else fails, Ryan can use his “Boost” knob on the rack in his Santa Monica studio as Deadmau5 so affectionately poked fun at during their Instagram Live at Arkade Studio during their press junket for the announcement of their Kx5 concert that would be on December 10, 2022. Ryan, I was the idiot who made the reference to it during the Q & A section of the Kx5 on stage, Meet and Greet - I just wanted to make Joel laugh! To which I succeeded but my bad! I’m sorry Legend but it was kind of funny inside joke between the 3 of us.

Flash Forward to Apocalypse Festival 2024 - Surprise Appearance

So I’m at Wilkinson’s set at the drum and bass stage and as he starts the track Shine On, Mark welcomes Kaskade to the decks for their track. It was so completely unexpected because its a dubstep festival and you just don’t expect this Legend to drive down from the Pacific Palisades or fly his helicopter for that matter (although, Ryan probably does not fly his Robinson helicopter at night) but he did! How cool is that. I was so stoked and he was really happy to be up there with Mark for their sick track - dope lasers and pyro as you can watch in the video here.

The next day Ryan flew to SF for Giving Thanks Festival at Cow Palace for his headlining set. The recap video footage shows Ryan looking relaxed and the energy shift was palpable; Kaskade's interaction with the crowd and his evident enjoyment suggest a possible turning point.

We think he’s feeling more like himself and happy to see it. He is one of the all-time greats and look forward to renewed smiles up there.

Wrapping Up

As we wrap up this exploration into the life and Fall performances of Kaskade, it's evident that even the most celebrated DJs navigate through personal and professional valleys. Ryan Raddon's recent appearances at the Apocalypse Festival and the Giving Thanks Festival in San Francisco have offered glimpses of a rejuvenated spirit or dare I say his vibe.

His surprise on stage appearance with Wilkinson at Apocalypse was not just a treat for fans but a testament to his enduring passion for music, despite personal challenges. Music has always been his refuge, and it seems that now, more than ever, it's helping him find his way back to peace. Here's to hoping that this legendary artist continues to find solace in the beats he creates, sharing his journey with fans who have supported him through every track and transition.

Keep the “Come ON’s” coming Ryan; and I hope to see you on the Beyond Wonderland 2025 lineup and perhaps even a few Kx5 dates in 2025 as well.

Cheers Kaskade! Have a great Christmas concert - an awesome tradition.