[RECAP] Veld Music Festival 2013 Toronto
Over the last several months, the August long weekend became the topic of discussion between electronic dance fans across the country. Although Osheaga in Montreal does have its benefits, Veld Music Festival in Toronto will always have my heart. After attending the first ever festival Veld Music Festival in 2012, there was no question that I would be attending this year again.
After convincing almost every single person who listens to EDM in the surrounding area to attend this year’s event, we were in for the best weekend of the summer. As a university student myself, it was impossible not to know that Veld was taking over Toronto. For over a period of 48 hours, social media was dominated by the fans’ excitement and overjoy that the weekend was finally here.
Located just outside of downtown Toronto, Veld Music Festival was held at Downsview Park. Perfect for the event, the Main stage and Bacardi Tent were located side-by-side with a separate VIP section to the right of the park that included easy access to services and alcohol. Surrounding the outskirts of the park were multiple food venues, water and alcohol stations to cater to everyone’s needs and desires.
Day #1:
Ah, day one. The excitement was through the roof, the people were crazy and the weather was beautiful. Starting off the festival on the main stage was Mark Oliver, then continuing to bring in the bass with acts like Candyland and Matt Zo. As the afternoon continued and more and more people poured into the park, Krewella delivered a show far beyond everyone’s expectations. Opening with their new hit single ‘Live for the Night’ and closing with one of the biggest EDM tracks of 2013, their song ‘Alive,’ the trio’s incredible stage presence, live vocals and through-the-roof energy made for an unforgettable performance.
The party continued with huge acts such as Dirty South and Laidback Luke, who both had possibly two of the best and most underrated sets of the weekend. Then came another huge crowd favourite and one of the best stage performers I have ever seen, Steve Aoki. Not only did he include a trip on his infamous blow-up boat into the crowd, Aoki threw the most epic 80 foot cake toss Toronto has ever seen at one of his fans; a crowd-surfer in a wheelchair who got successfully slammed in the face with a huge birthday cake. Steve mixed in his classics including ‘Boneless,’ ‘No Beef,’ and ‘Pursuit of Happiness.’
Although thousands of people surrounded main stage throughout the day, the party was not only outside. The Bacardi Tent was also one of the places to check out. The tent provided a sun-shaded area featuring more trap and underground music, specifically two big names; Pretty Lights and Dillon Francis. Personally, Dillon has always been one of my absolute favorites but I have never seen him perform a show like this before. Out of all the crowds and shows I have ever experienced, nothing has ever compared to the set he put on for Toronto. It was a non-stop party. As a last-minute add on to the original lineup, banger after banger, Dillon continued to kill it and the crowd loved every minute.
As the sun went down and the crowd continued to grow at the Park around the main stage, the American legend, Kaskade, lived up to his stellar reputation by delivering a hard-hitting, unique and beautiful set. This was followed by a very special appearance by the trance and progressive group, Above and Beyond, who closed out day one with a feel-good hour and twenty minute set accompanied by a mind blowing light show and fireworks.
Day Two:
Although Toronto gave it everything they had during day one, everybody was back on Sunday with vengeance and more than ready for day two. Opening on Main Stage was Toronto’s own, Manzone and Strong, followed by the American group GTA who has recently been touring worldwide on Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds World Tour.’ Other acts included Thomas Gold and everyone’s favourite Canadian edm duo, Adventure Club.
Making a very anticipated appearance was the young and extremely talented, Madeon, who delivered an awesome high-energy performance. He included new releases such as ‘Technicolor’ which is now sitting at the third spot on the main Beatport chart and Charlie Darker’s remix of Clockwork’s “Surge”, as well as everyone’s favourite Madeon remix of ‘The Night Out’ by Martin Solveig.
Similar to day one, the Bacardi Tent continued the underground trend serving an older crowd with artists including Pleasurekraft, Carlo Lio, Victor Calderone, John Digweed and Danny Tenaglia.
As day turned into night, the crowd was giving every last bit of energy they had for the three final performances; Dada Life, Steve Angello and Deadmau5. Everybody went full rage for Dada Life, some in full costume banana suits and makeshift boats. Veld quickly became the Land of Dada, as the group put on a legendary set, which was arguably one of the best of the entire weekend. As Size often Matters in Dada Land, Steve Angello was up next. As a Veld veteran, Steve never disappoints in Toronto, often calling the city his second home. His set included the Swedish House Mafia anthem, ‘Don’t You Worry Child,’ as well as new releases including ‘SLVR.’
And last but not least, the final two hours of the festival was dedicated to Toronto’s own pride and joy, Deadmau5. Closing the festival with an hour and a half set, Deadmau5 went beyond everyone’s expectations playing new mixes into old classics including ‘Ghosts n Stuff’ and ‘The Veldt.’ Extending his set by a half hour he finished with the epic 10 minute crowd-favourite ‘Stobe,’ which was accompanied by tons of fireworks and a killer light show.
In all honesty this weekend was very hard to put into words (and a large part of why this recap took so long). Summer music festivals are the most fun a high school, college student or young adult could ever have with a group of friends. For those of you who have yet to experience something of this magnitude, this is the best advice I can ever give you, reader. Veld was a non-stop 48-hour dance party in the perfect environment, with 50, 000 of your closest electronic dance loving friends.
I will conclude by saying this, I convinced nine of my best friends’ a couple months ago to attend Veld. They had never been to a show before and had no idea what to expect. They turned down several other long-weekend offers, including a couple other music festivals, because they didn’t want to disappoint me, but slightly doubtful of how much “fun” Veld would actually be. I received a call from them an hour after the first day had ended thanking me for one of the best days they have ever experienced, and expressing their excitement for the next day. Veld Music Festival blew their minds and they had the time of their lives, describing it as “the most fun they have ever had.” So readers, if this story can’t convince you to accompany me and the thousands of other Veld veterans to attend next year’s event, (which I guarantee you will be better than this years, and the year before that) I certainly don’t know what will.
I hope everyone is having a good summer. And I hope that this review did the weekend justice, and for those of you who did not attend, I hope you are really jealous after reading this recap.
Cheers,
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