After six years of believing that I was fully done with Burning Man, the stars happened to align this summer when I got a calling to go. 

Back in 2016, I never thought that Burning Man would allow me to press the reset button and relieve myself from many things I was carrying emotionally. Then suddenly when I was out on the playa in my element, I began to feel myself again: connected, worry-free, present. 

Thanks to 11 days of complete disconnection from my computer and phone, I was left at the mercy of nature’s elements which brought me back to a place of peace and serenity.  

It was such a joy to take part in Burning Man’s social experiment, one that unites a community of like minded beings from various backgrounds. 

I loved getting my hands dirty while building the camp, helping out with a friend's art structure and chatting with new and old friends every single day.  This was a whole new experience for me; an experience that filled my heart and inspired me in powerful ways. 

For the first time, I can safely say that I have been transformed by my time on the playa, and for that I feel grateful and humbled. 

Memorable moments like riding solo on my bike, letting go of plans, eating nourishing food, getting totally lost in the city, visiting random camps and more often than not connecting with strangers was pure magic. For me, this is the essence of Burning Man: an experience of contribution, full of serendipity and spontaneity. 
 
Here’s a personal highlight of mine that I’d like to share: 
It’s Friday evening, and I have been chosen to set the mood on the Robot Heart bus (which I must admit was one of my favorite nights out there). Here I am pre-set drinking Sake and sharing stories with my dear friend Benjamin Alexander.  The bus is parked at camp when I jump on top and begin to play for 20 minutes before the wheels start turning. Our drive to the deep playa begins, and with that a brutal dust storm follows.  I was instantly taken back in time to my 2015 Burn when I was fascinated by the fairy-lit bicycles chasing the bus, lighting up the space with an array of moving colors.  Eventually, after an hour of driving around, the wind stops, the dust settles, and the bus finds its parking spot for the night.  I finally remove my dust mask and watch the vast space in front me light up as I finish my set.  An unforgettable moment, visual, crowd…everything was perfect. 
 
To all of you who are reading this who were there dancing and glowing on the playa, I would like to say a huge thank you!  I will cherish that moment for the rest of my life.  You inspired me to smile and shine. 
 
Until next year.
 
Julien aka YokoO xx 
 
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https://djyokoo.com/ 

Photo Credit:
John Dill

YokoO - Robot Heart - Burning Man 2022

My own journey into deep, melodic and experimental sounds

Robot Heart is a collective of doers and dreamers, artists and entrepreneurs. Our home is in the desert dust of Burning Man, and the streets of New York City, Detroit, Bay Area and Hong Kong. Home is wherever the Heart is.

Robot Heart is a community and a family, and our events are an extension and celebration of that community, bound together by shared values of inclusion, giving, environmental responsibility and mutual respect.

Music is our first language, and our mission is to bring love and beats to the world. We work with and support artists, technologists and visionaries of all types in order to create incredible experiences and connected moments. To create love and beats, for you.