Events | Making Good Decisions at Global Dance Festival
Posted by mimada on July 18, 2013
This weekend marks the 11th running of Global Dance Festival at Red Rocks, presented by Colorado’s own electronic pioneers, Triad Dragons. Now, this may come off a little strong, but Global is honestly the reason why I fell in love with electronic music in the first place. Not trying to sound like a total n00b to the electro game because quite frankly I was listening to Basement Jaxx, Ace of Base and Fatboy Slim’s “Sun Is Shining” before I could even read the lyrics so the point I’m actually trying to make here is that Global made me fall in love with the electronic music of our generation (I will NOT reference the E-word, ugh gag me). But the unique thing about Global isn’t the elaborate stage production, yoga circles or 12-hour long DJ sets but the fact that founders Ha Hau and Kostas Kouremenos have stayed true to their mission, and that is bringing in fresh talent and keeping up with the changing tides of the music industry. Not only that, it’s a beautiful amphitheater with natural yet incredible acoustics, with the nicest, most genuine, borderline eclectic crowd out there in the festival circuit. The fans, the producers, the shot callers, there all there for one thing, and that’s the music.
In fact, if there’s one thing you can take away from Global be it that you are presented with the opportunity of witnessing some of the most talented upcoming acts mere moments before their career takes off. Take a look at past lineups and you’ll see what I mean. Even looking at this year’s, you might roll your eyes and pout, But, ehh, where’s Deadmau5? No Armin? What about Porter? Well, you’re a few years too late for those guys, but hey, without further ado, I’m gonna clue you in on everyone you need to see this weekend and why. So when your friends show you some average Instagram photo taken from only the 1,000th row back at Sander van Doorn’s Tomorrowworld set, you can shit on them with your epic, close-up, well-filtered, brilliantly contrasted shot with the Denver Skyline in the background. You’re welcome.
Events | Ultra Music Festival 2013 — Weekend 2 Recap (Or, If I Never Hear “Clarity” Again, It Will Be Too Soon)
Posted by Spice on April 9, 2013
“You know, the mainstage doesn’t look that awesome this year. In fact, it kind of looks smaller than it did last year.”
I was sitting on a friend’s couch drinking a lukewarm Bud Light and watching Nicky Romero’s Weekend 1 set on a Macbook. We didn’t have the good speakers plugged in because someone was napping upstairs, so the sound was tinny and easy to talk over. The TV mounted to the wall was tuned to NCAA basketball with the volume off. It was early on Friday evening and I was in the process of getting over bronchitis. A bag of Doritos was making the rounds.
“Shit guys. This stage is bullshit.” I grabbed a fistful of Doritos and gestured at the computer. “Look at it. It’s just sitting there, being purple. God, the mainstage is going to effing suck this year.” My friends nodded sagely. I leaned back, satisfied that my point had hit home, and turned my attention to the basketball game.
Of all the things I’ve been wrong about in my life, this has got to be top three.
Events, Featured | Electric Zoo: A How-To Guide (Day Two)
Posted by Spice on August 24, 2012
Middy and I are back with our picks for Day 2 of the whirlwind parade of awesomeness that is Electric Zoo. There’s no clear theme to Day 2 (it’s not the “dubstep” day or the “trance” day), but there is a wide variety of excellent talent to look forward to and spectacles that are sure to astound and delight. Without further adieu, let’s Aoki-jump right in — fun, excitement, and madness await…
Events, Featured | Electric Zoo: A How-To Guide (Day One)
Posted by Spice on August 23, 2012
Labor Day weekend officially begins when the gates at Randall’s Island open at 11 am next Friday. Electric Zoo is second only to Ultra in terms of festivals on the east coast and its 2012 installment is sure to have have something for everyone. You will get to see some of the best talent from every end of the dance music spectrum, with festival mainstays like Hardwell, Above & Beyond, Axwell, Nicky Romero, Tiesto, Skrillex, Steve Aoki, Dada Life, Sander van Doorn, Zedd and many more. Electric Zoo also features legendary underground names like Sasha, Luciano, Boys Noize, Chris Leibing, and Marco Carola, and gives even the most casual viewer a chance to see some of the brightest young talent in the game, thanks to Porter Robinson, Pierce Fulton, Alvin Risk, Mord Fustang, Maya Jane Coles, W&W, and Norin & Rad. Finally, with seasoned tastemakers like A-Trak and Diplo topping out headlining sets, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have an amazing time.
It’s a tall order to attempt to concisely preview Day One in a single post. All four stages feature excellent talent, from Above & Beyond’s tranced-out Group Therapy tent to the absolutely stacked main stage lineup. Riverside brings a more eclectic sound to the festival, thanks to A-trak and Jack Beats, and Sunday School Grove provides that techy, old-school sound that the deepest and darkest house heads crave. So let’s dive headfirst into Friday — Middy and I will tell you who you must see, who you can miss, and the sleeper picks that will round out your Day One experience.
Check out the full list of Electric Zoo set times and create your own custom schedule for each day here.
Events | ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL – PHASE 2 | CONCERT INFO
Posted by Juicebox on February 1, 2011
Just when you thought Ultra’s lineup couldn’t get any better, they went ahead and added some huge names. Besides Swedish House Mafia (who are still playing across the street in Miami) I can’t name one artist I’d like to see that is not on there. Avicii and Kaskade are two huge additions that have truly allowed Ultra to claim the title for the best line up…ever.