Here we go again. Back to Echo Beach — this time to see a man who hasn’t traveled to Toronto … scratch that, Canada … no, wait, scratch that, North America … in 12 years. Eric Prydz is headling the Identity Festival in Toronto on Saturday, and I am amped.
I really don’t know what to expect. We’re talking about one of the pioneers of this genre. Somebody who was bending boundaries in the studio before the term EDM had even been invented. Who was making his mark as a live performer when DJs were still mainly associated with hip-hop acts. Who’d established the pseudonymous Cirez D as a household name well before alter egos became all the rage in dance music. Basically: if you’re in Toronto this Saturday there is only one destination.
And the awesome doesn’t stop with Pryda. Other heavy names featured at Identity include none other than Nero — currently number one on the bpm:tv Hot 20 Dance Chart with their single “Must Be The Feeling.” It’s a while since I’ve seen this UK duo perform, and I’m excited about how their sound has evolved. The latest album, Welcome Reality, has been a massive success, I’m looking forward to this set — not just to see the crowd’s reaction, but to hear their choice of remixes. Should be a performance to remember.
Then there’s Madeon and Le Castle Vania: Both young, both heavy electro — and both awesome. The 18-year-old Frenchman Madeon has built a rep in Europe as something of a prodigy, as been a favorite on BBC Radio 1 for quite a while now. The Atlanta-based Le Castle Vania, meanwhile, is part of the tide of fresh blood from North America blood sweeping across face of the EDM world. Both should be great sets, so be sure to check them out.
And then there’s Excision. Canada, stand up! The dubstep demon from Kelowna, BC will definitely be excited to play such a high-profile fest in his home country. And whenever you get a bass DJ hype to play for you … well, consider your pants soiled. Be prepared to get grimy.
So with all that said, I think it only fair that this week’s Sweets should showcase the artists performing at Identity. Enjoy!
BINGO PLAYERS @ THE HOXTON, TORONTO – MARCH 8, 2012
Another incredible night at The Hoxton — and if you weren’t present, you most definitely missed out on a crazy party!
Sad admit it, but this was the first time I’d ever seen Simon Jain behind the decks. I can confidently say that he absolutely rocked that dance floor. His interaction with the crowd was exceptional, too. Definitely the perfect musical aperitif for the Bingo Players.
Once the Dutch duo took the stage an ecstatic vibe surged through the crowd. Their musical selection was impressively diverse: everything from “Feel So Close” to the Skrillex remix of Benny Benassi’s “Cinema.” They even took “Warp” for a spin.
Their music is very capriccioso, and watching them live is an unalloyed pleasure. When they let “Rattle” blast through the speaker I felt my body — and every body around me — go into an absolute frenzy. That track is a pure blast of adrenaline rushing through body and mind. Girls crawled onto guys’ shoulders just to get close to the Bingo Players level.
Audio specialist Paul Bäumer and graphic designer Maarten Hoogstraten have proven themselves masterful producers, crafting a succession with brilliant tracks in their Enschede atelier. I’m eager to see what they deliver in the future, and when they return to Canada I am most definitely going to be there. Take my recommendation and do the same.
A special thanks goes out to Embrace Presents for making this night possible.
It’s Friday! TGIF! This weekend feels like one made for the inner socialite in all of us. Since the single people of the world had to endure the shame of being alone on Valentine’s Day, you can expect the clubs to be packed with people redoubling their search for Mr. or Ms. Right. And if that’s true, then the DJs best come correct with tunes to help you bolster the courage. On the other hand, if you’d prefere to keep it low-key with a house party or a small gathering, we’ve got you completely covered with this week’s best tracks. Have at it!
SWEETS
No hesitation about jumping into the warm waters with this one. Bingo Players have a banger with help from Heather Bright.
I am definitely not one to highlight an artist in the aftermath of his or her death. That has to be said. However, I am one to highlight anything that features Chromeo. Whitney had what may have been one of the best voices in the history of time — so we can hope that, among the truckload of remixes that will be doubtless appear over the coming weeks, we get more gems like this.
When I chatted with Chris Lake last year, all he could talk about was Tommy Trash. Tommy this and Tommy that … apparently he knew something the rest of us didn’t, cuz Tommy is killing it right now.
A little R&B twist on this one. Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a good break-up song. This beat is good — almost too good. Don’t go too far to the dark side, Diplo!
Enough of that soft and slow s**t — let’s get into the nitty-gritty. If you hear this song at the venue tonight, grab him / or her / or both and get to it. Your choice.
A great weekend in EDM has passed us by, but not without dropping some anthems to keep on repeat on our iPods and Pioneers. It was always going to be something special, what with the large number of shows happening from Van City to Halifax.
One measure of a good weekend? The quality of the BBC Radio 1 Friday dance party. Unfortunately, Annie Mac wasn’t able to host her regular Friday show — but the replacement she found was none other than the “inventor” of dubstep himself, Skream. Mister Skream stepped into the booth and put together one of the best Radio 1 Friday mixdowns we’ve heard in a while. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the show, CLICK HERE to listen. It might be worth downloading for those long shifts when your regular playlist just doesn’t cut it anymore. (Pete Tong was not to be outshone, by the way, as he also put together a wicked collection of the best big room house anthems on the globe right now.)
Another great part of the weekend was hearing Embrace Presents, the leader in bringing the best EDM talent to Canada, unveil its list of upcoming shows,which I’ve included below. Expect to see many of these reviewed in the weeks to come.
Some treats for you …
So we’ve all heard the rumours that a certain trio of Swedish DJs may not put together the most “authentic” mixes at their live shows. But when you have tracks this big, I don’t think it really matters anymore. Enjoy this one.
Nico Jaar is on fire! In his latest outing, he drops a typical Jaar 5am track that will leave you clinging to the dancefloor like a strung-out jabba wokkie! And yes that’s Demi Moore and Bruce Willis’s daughter delivering the vocals.
And, as promised, a list of the best Embrace shows in Toronto coming up over the next couple of months. See you tomorrow kiddies!
Saturday, January 28 - BASSJACKERS with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, January 28 - NIGHTBOX with THE BALCONIES & CHRISTIEN SUMMERS
Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen Street West | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $8.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Wednesday, February 1 - Trouble & Bassmentality Present: DROP THE LIME with THE M MACHINE
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Friday, February 3 – BENI with Special Guests
Supermarket, 268 Augusta Avenue | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, February 4 - SURKIN with Special Guests
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $13.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Monday, February 6 - Presented in association with Drambuie: THE ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR with VACATIONER
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 8:30PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $16.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Thursday, February 9 - A-TRAK with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 9 PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $20.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Friday, February 10 - KEYS N KRATES with GRANDTHEFT
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 10 PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Tuesday, February 14 - DIE ANTWOORD with Special Guests
The Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne Street | Doors 8PM | All Ages Event
Adv. Tickets $29.00 (plus facility fee & s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Wednesday, February 15 – Bassmentality Presents: 12TH PLANET with FLINCH & CRIZZLY
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $12.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Thursday, February 16 - JOHN DAHLBACK with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
** NEW DATE **Thursday, February 16 - THEOPHILIUS LONDON with Special Guests
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $17.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, February 18 - Presented in association with Live Nation: SLEIGH BELLS with Special Guests
The Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne Street | Doors 8PM | All Ages Event
Adv. Tickets $24.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, February 18 - DJ KRUSH with THEVINYLKILLER
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $16.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Wednesday, February 22 – Bassmentality Presents: TWO FRESH with NiT GriT
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $12.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, February 25 - HOOK N SLING
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $12.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Wednesday, February 29 – Bassmentality Presents: DREAM & BOY KID CLOUD
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, March 3 - TRUST with ELL V GORE
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Tuesday, March 6 - An Evening with MOE.
The Mod Club, 722 College Street | Doors 8PM | All Ages Event
Adv. Tickets $29.00 (plus facility fee & s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Thursday, March 8 - BINGO PLAYERS with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
** NEW DATE ** Friday, March 16 - DEANER OF FUBAR with Special Guests
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Saturday, March 24 - Presented in Association with Hospital Records, Destiny Events & Electronic Nation: HIGH CONTRAST, NETSKY, CAMO & KROOKED, MYSTICAL INFLUENCE, LUSH & HYDEE
Kool Haus, 132 Queens Quay East | Doors 10PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $35.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca & Play De Record
Monday, April 2 - METRONOMY with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $16.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Wednesday, April 4 - FIRST AID KIT with Special Guests
The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $18.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Thursday, April 5 - HOWLER with Special Guests
The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $8.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Friday, April 20 - HOCKEY TEETH
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $10.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Tuesday, May 1 - Presented in Association with Live Nation: MIIKE SNOW with Special Guests
Sound Academy, 11 Polson Street | Doors 8PM | All Ages Event
Adv. Tickets $26.50 (plus s.c.) at ticketmaster.ca, Rotate This & Soundscapes
Wednesday, May 2 - SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS with Special Guests
The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst Street | Doors 9PM | 19+ Event
Adv. Tickets $15.00 (plus s.c.) at ticketweb.ca, Rotate This, Soundscapes & Play De Record
Another weekend come and gone to much success. Winter is here: for many that means hibernation, while for others it’s time to get into winter party mode. Personally, I’m always up for a good party with good music, but I mostly find myself spending time with small circles of friends until about March. And that’s great, because it means I really get to try new stuff in terms of playing music and seeing what resonates. Constructive criticism from friends is always better than the feedback from a crowd of strangers, so I really search through different sounds and genres to see what type of love they get. Here are some that passed with flying colours — with luck, they’ll make your set or playlist too.
A tune like this isn’t the ideal winter track, but I don’t plan on waiting until March to break it out. The Long Beach City Kids are back with a disco/rap/funky/drumstep track that immediately makes you feel cooler than you are. Try to not dance to this!
Brand new synthetic funk from Louis La Roche, and it hits all the pressure points nicely. You never quite know what you’re going to get from him, but it always seems to be stylish. He really doesn’t try to do too much to the track — just embraces the simplicity of it.
Never been a huge fan of Cobra Starship. In fact I’ll be honest: I don’t really like their music that much. They actually seem to be pretty cool people, but their sound has just never connected with me. However, I am a fan of Bingo Players, and with this release they give Cobra Starship a whole new light to shine in. The song is dope, and maybe I won’t skip past them anymore when I see a new release. Btw, this was ripped from Hardwell‘s mix — and no, Mac Miller isn’t on it. (At least, I didn’t hear him.)
First is the brand new video from the baddest-coolest-flyest-rudebwoi in the game: Dillon Francis. This video is hilarious, and you can see what an easygoing, funny guy Dillon really is. He’s also the elite of the elite. No one has put out hits like he has these past 12 months — and as we come to the end of 2011, he has to be a serious contender for EDM artist of the year. This video is for a track I posted a good month ago: proof that this site needs to be bookmarked, my friend! Enjoy the visuals!
Finally, one of those year-end mash-ups that always seem to pop up in December. You know the story: all of the big pop tracks of the year, blended together so your kid sister and your mom really feel like they understand the art of mixing. As corny as these tracks can be, sometimes they’re good to keep in your catalogue for a wedding or bar mitzvah, when you’ve got to pop out something that’ll satisfy all ages. And besides, they’re good to have around so that in 10, 20, 30 years from now you can listen to a year of pop culture in five minutes. The video for this one puts it a cut above the norm, too. Enjoy!
REPUBLIC OF DANCE is a bangin’ new compilation from Sony Music and Ultra Records, featuring killer club tracks from deadmau5, Wolfgang Gartner, Bingo Players, Mia Martina, Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris and many more.
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