N※N

Mr. Fantasy Takes the Stage at 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Electrifying 30-Second Set

90

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. -day-parade-with-electrifying-30-second-set.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 15:21 GMT by People

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-28 200 x 200 / 12055 Bytes

2025-11-28 179 x 224 / 13522 Bytes

2025-11-28 224 x 224 / 6993 Bytes

2025-11-28 179 x 224 / 12216 Bytes

Mr. Fantasy Debuts in a New‑Year‑Old Tradition: The 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

When a rising star steps into the limelight, the world of pop and EDM is always a little more interesting. In a headline that caught the attention of music lovers and holiday enthusiasts alike, the up‑and‑coming DJ‑producer Mr. Fantasy (real name Jared Kraus) delivered his first public performance at the iconic 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The article from People.com chronicles the journey of this talented, 25‑year‑old musician from his modest beginnings in Ohio to the bright lights of New York City, while also offering a behind‑the‑scenes look at one of America’s most watched holiday traditions.

A Quick‑Start Background

Mr. Fantasy grew up in the small Midwestern town of Marion, Ohio, where he first picked up a keyboard as a teenager. “I was always a visual person—drawing, painting, creating,” he explains. “Music was just a natural extension of that.” He began experimenting with digital audio workstations at age 15 and quickly found that his favorite sounds were the pulsing basslines of progressive house and the vibrant synth stabs of future bass. The moniker Mr. Fantasy came from a nickname he earned in high‑school for his imaginative storytelling in both art and music.

After finishing a short stint at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, he returned home to produce his first single, “Electric Dream,” which went viral on SoundCloud and earned him a small but dedicated following. From there, the record label Sublime Records (an imprint of Interscope) signed him, launching him into a whirlwind of touring, festival appearances, and collaborations with mainstream pop acts.

The People article notes that he’s never spoken in depth about his personal life; he keeps the focus on the music. Still, his fans love to speculate that his “mysterious” stage presence is a deliberate artistic choice to keep the spotlight on the sound rather than the man.

The Parade: A Historical Snapshot

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a staple of American culture. First aired on CBS in 1924, the event has since evolved from a small, televised march in New York City to a national phenomenon that draws millions of viewers from coast to coast. Each year, the parade showcases a rotating roster of floats, marching bands, celebrity performers, and a signature “Macy’s 12,” a set of 12 giants that have become synonymous with the holiday.

In 2024, the parade took place on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the traditional day for the show. Over 4 million people lined the streets of Manhattan for a chance to catch the spectacle, while a global audience tuned in for the first time. The parade’s producers were looking to refresh the musical lineup, and they saw in Mr. Fantasy a bridge between mainstream pop audiences and the niche EDM community.

The Performance Itself

In a stunning moment that surprised even seasoned parade-goers, Mr. Fantasy emerged from behind a massive “Macy’s” logo float on the “Macy’s 12” line and dropped a 30‑second set that had the crowd cheering. The set was a tight montage of his latest singles—“Funky Beats”, “Lights”, and the brand‑new “Holiday Rush”—each one meticulously mixed to maintain a high‑energy atmosphere that kept the parade’s momentum alive.

The article describes the crowd’s reaction in detail. “The audience was electrified—people were dancing in the streets, taking selfies, and the energy was contagious.” The DJ’s signature style, a blend of hard‑bass drops and euphoric melodies, seemed perfectly tailored to the holiday spirit. He used an on‑stage light‑show synced to his beats, creating a visual feast that amplified the parade’s festive vibe. By the time his set finished, the sound engineer’s voice boomed over the public address system, “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Fantasy!” The crowd erupted in cheers, giving him a standing ovation.

The People piece also notes that the performance was broadcast on CBS and streamed on Apple TV, where viewers could watch a 10‑minute highlight reel of the DJ’s debut. The reel’s comments section saw over 5,000 emojis and a slew of “OMG so lit” captions.

How the Opportunity Came About

The article dives into how the partnership between Mr. Fantasy and the parade’s producers came to fruition. A representative from Sublime Records had an old relationship with the parade’s music director and pitched the idea of a fresh, contemporary sound to fill the lineup. After a series of back‑and‑forth conversations, the decision was made to book him for a 30‑second spot—an incredibly short window that requires meticulous planning. The artist’s team had to prepare a pre‑recorded set with an on‑air delay to synchronize with the live crowd and the parade’s choreography.

The production team was impressed by Mr. Fantasy’s professionalism. “He was ready to go in the bag,” said the event’s audio manager, citing his punctuality, adaptability, and willingness to collaborate with the parade’s technical crew. In a surprising twist, the DJ had a cameo in a commercial that aired alongside the parade, featuring him rapping about “flying over the city’s skyline,” which added a layer of cross‑media marketing.

Post‑Performance Buzz

The People article quotes several music critics and influencers praising the performance. “It’s a game‑changer,” said Billboard correspondent Liza D., “Mr. Fantasy shows that EDM can thrive in a traditionally family‑oriented event.” Fans on Instagram posted videos of themselves dancing at the parade, tagging Mr. Fantasy, and the hashtag #FantasyParade trended for a few hours. Meanwhile, the artist’s social media posts saw a 200% surge in engagement, with 150,000 new followers in the days following the event.

The DJ himself expressed excitement about the experience. “Performing in the Macy’s Parade is a milestone I never imagined when I was a kid in Marion,” he said in a brief interview. “It’s a moment of cultural significance that I’m grateful to share with all of you.” He added that the experience will shape his next album, which is slated for release later this year.

The Bigger Picture: Music, Tradition, and the New Generation

Beyond the high‑energy performance, the People piece contextualizes Mr. Fantasy’s appearance as part of a broader trend of mainstream events inviting alternative music acts to broaden their appeal. The Macy’s Parade’s decision to feature an EDM DJ reflects an acknowledgment that younger audiences—who might not be as engaged with the parade’s traditional musical acts—are an essential part of its viewership.

In the article’s closing, the writer argues that the inclusion of artists like Mr. Fantasy represents a “bridge between the nostalgic elements that define the parade and the evolving musical tastes of a new generation.” In this sense, the event becomes more than just a holiday tradition; it becomes a living platform where the past and future meet.

Bottom Line

Mr. Fantasy’s debut performance at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a moment that fused the excitement of contemporary electronic dance music with the timeless allure of an American holiday staple. In a single 30‑second set, he captured the attention of millions, reaffirmed the parade’s relevance to younger demographics, and cemented his own status as a rising star capable of commanding attention on the world’s biggest stages. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan of EDM or a casual viewer who simply enjoys a good holiday spectacle, Mr. Fantasy’s appearance was an unmissable highlight that redefined what it means to be a holiday icon in the 21st century.