Photo @: Kurran Reid for Visualbass Photography
While most of the USA was enjoying their Fourth of July weekend, there was a much different scene going on in Toronto, Canada. Celebrating their own independence day (Canada Day) on July 1st, Toronto was the scene for celebration and partying all weekend. Toronto’s renowned Digital Dreams Festival took place July 2nd-3rd and was the perfect way to celebrate “Canada Weekend”. After a grueling eight hour drive from New Jersey, my friend and I finally arrived in the beautiful Toronto fully ready for festivities. A quick change of clothes and a relatively short Uber ride arrived at Lake Shore Boulevard. It seemed like all of Toronto had come out for the festival as droves of patrons could be seen walking from all directions. Doors would open at 2PM each day and it felt crowded from the second it kicked off with mobs of people scouring all parts of the festival.
Photo: Digital Dreams
Three stages spanned across the festival, two being on one side of an intermediary bridge and one mainstage on the other. Each stage would obviously cater to a particular genre of electronic music. On the main stage we would mainly see progressive house, trance, and big room artists including 3LAu, Audien, Gareth Emery, Cosmic Gate, Above & Beyond, and Axwell ^ Ingrosso. This was undoubtedly the biggest stage of the festival, equipped fully with pyro devices, confetti machines, and fireworks for the closing acts. From the minute doors opened to the end of the festival, main stage would be packed for every artist that performed on it. Sneaking around the right and left sides proved to be the only way to get relatively close to the stage. Although main stage definitely had some great people, great acts, and awesome vibes; that would not stop us from venturing to the two other stages for much of our stay.
Photo: Tobias Wang @ Visualbass photography (Mainstage)
Photo: Tobias Wang @ Visualbass photography (Mainstage)
For those who were not digging the main stage music, there were two other stages packed full with different types of music to suit all needs. The Bacardi House stage would host the majority of bass acts of the festival. It would see artists like Borgore, Bassnectar, Griz, Infected Mushroom, and Dirtyphonics. Anyone who has ever been to a tent stage knows things can get a little more reckless under the cover of the tent. Mosh pits and head banging were in full force for most of the performances. Upon attempting to stand on the rail and get some video of the crowd, I was nearly thrown off by the shaking of the rail from everyone in the front row. It’s fair to say the Bacardi House went the hardest across the entire festival. After nearly ending up in the medical tent from a mosh pit at Dirtyphonics, I figured it was time to check out the last stage, Echo Beach!
Photo: Tobias Wang @ Visualbass photography (Bacardi House)
Photo: Tobias Wang @ Visualbass photography (Bacardi House)
Last but not least, Echo Beach saw the majority of techno acts that were slated to perform. Obviously differing from the other two stages because it was literally a beach. Shoes were definitely best left off to keep the sand from seeping into socks and ruining dance moves. Echo Beach also had two VIP entrances on each side that made it an awesome hangout for those VIP goers who were just looking to kick back and chill out. Echo Beach would see performances from artists like MK, Tiga, Danny Tenaglia, and Chus & Ceballos. Echo Beach was definitely a nice mix up from the two other stages and we hope to see it back for Digital Dreams 2017!
Photo by: Digital Dreams (Beach Stage)
However, it would not be a music festival without some cool activities to accompany the already amazing music! Equipped with an array of different activities, patrons were left more than happy to indulge in some competitive activities with each other. We saw one versus one gladiator fights that were always gave people a good laugh. There was also an obstacle course to go with it that was simply awesome. We certainly hope to see these return or even add some in some more enjoyable activities.
Photographed by Kurran Reid for Visualbass Photography
Photographed by Kurran Reid for Visualbass Photography
One of the coolest and newest additions to the festival were the high tech bracelets that were used as tickets. Although having bracelets for tickets is nothing new for festivals, Digital Dreams went ‘above and beyond’ with their bracelets. Rather than have patrons paying with cash, the bracelets could link up to any debit card or credit card that had to be registered upon entering the festival. This made lines for beverages MUCH faster than other festivals. There was also no “conversion” to some sort of dollar made up by the festival, it went directly through your debit or credit card to charge you at normal price. Alcohol prices were at a mere $7.50 US which is considered relatively cheap when you look at the festivals that will charge $10 for a beer. If there’s one thing Digital Dreams definitely needs for next year, it’s to bring those bracelets back!!!
Photographed by Kurran Reid for Visualbass Photography
At the end of the day, Digital Dreams’ fifth year was a huge success. We saw performances from some of the best electronic acts out there and the crowd loved every second of it. Meeting great people has always been part of the experience and some of the most genuine and fun people came out in full force for Digital Dreams. Although we hailed from a different country that was celebrating a completely different holiday, Canadians welcomed us with open arms! Looking forward to possibly attending this festival come next year! Until next time Canada!
Connect with Digital Dreams:
http://www.facebook.com/digitaldreamsfest
http://www.twitter.com/digidreamsfest
http://www.instagram.com/digitaldreamsfest
http://www.youtube.com/LiveNationCanada
http://www.digitaldreamsfestival.ca
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