Bounce Music Festival Is The New School of EDM and They Do It Well (Raleigh Review)

With the rise of popularity of electronic dance music, the older generation always likes to remind the new about the “old school” how events were better or the scene was different. Well the new school is here, it’s bigger and better than it ever was before and it’s being championed by events like Bounce Music Festival.

Bounce Music Festival in Raleigh was a premiere event; production was top-notch, event staff allowed a smooth event flow and you got to see Alesso the #20 dj in the world. Not to mention that it was hosted at this 80’s style rodeo nightclub more attuned for a line dancing session than a rave. Even for an indoor venue supporting three stages, there were never any problems navigating around but you should have stayed at the mainstage all night.

Dirty Cut got the night started with some electro-house tunes, but it was Kevin Focus who had the room bouncing with his signature big room house sound. He got a boost when the college buses dropped off students from the local area colleges, but Focus’ set was never overbearing or forced. It was the perfect way to get the night going and refreshing to see an opener who actually went up to dj instead of relying on mainstream hits.

Catching dBerrie was slightly delayed due to me becoming star stricken by the sheer handsomeness of Rob Lowe who attended Bounce because of his son’s involvement.

Rob Lowe at a rave… headlined by Alesso… at the craziest venue I have ever seen. Definitely a top 10 moment for the year.

You could feel the energy and anticipation in the room, prior to Alesso hitting the decks. The staff quickly distributed foam glow sticks to the crowd and we were ready. The confetti shot from the cannons and LED lasers lit up the room as Alesso masterfully went through a set that was aggressive at times while bringing us back down with the progressive house tracks we love.

There are many things that can impact whether you determine if a set was good or not, having seen Alesso four times before (and less than impressed) this was by far the best. Maybe it was a combination of the venue, crowd, atmosphere or the Patron provided by Bounce (thanks guys) but I felt like Alesso’s read of the crowd was perfect. Maybe I can take a shot at him ending for on Titanium, but I have to remind myself that he’s playing a show in Raleigh, NC where he may never return again.

I went to Bounce expecting one thing and was completely blown away by the level of production and professionalism of the event. They brought the smoke, lights, fog and massive LED panels, the number 20 dj in the world and were somehow able to get 3,000 kids to Raleigh, NC… a place where dance music is just taking root.

I had to ask co-founder Brandon Silverstein more about the event.

What made you want to go after Raleigh, a market where dance music hasn’t really taken off? 

We are big believers in moving into markets where dance music isn’t over saturated and ulitmately working on the growth of Electronic Music and expanding the genre.

What were your thoughts the first time you saw the venue? 

The first time I saw the venue was this past summer when I flew out to check out a few locations. I loved that the venue – it has a great country music history behind it and I said to myself it would be cool to turn this place into something new for the night. So we did it. We brought in a whole lot of production and had a lot of trouble fitting our massive LED Wall in the back but we made it work and It was an unbelievable show!

Would you be interested in bringing Bounce to the South again? 

1000 percent. We will be back very soon! The fans were amazing. Look out for it 🙂

Comments on the event  

Alesso and I were amazing by the energy that Raleigh brought. We will definitely be back :)

*Photo by Jeff Filer

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