The Evolution of EDM: Here & Now Quarantine Set Edition

Source: David Guetta’s FB page

By Ryan Hayes

In the second iteration of The Evolution of EDM we take a small detour to focus on the present. With the global entertainment industry coming to a grinding stand still and millions around the world undergoing self-quarantine you'd think the constant flow of music we are used to may turn to a trickle of releases and live sets. Artists around the world have risen to the occasion and taken the opportunity to provide their audiences with premium live content. In some cases debut artist sets, in others mixes years in the making—regardless here are 12 essential sets from the last seven days of quarantine.

First up—David Guetta. Currently experiencing a massive renaissance, he was supposed to close out this year's Ultra, and he came through for fans with a new mix for SiriusXM Virtual Ultra Music Festival. If you are expecting pop Guetta this isn't it. The set leans towards his Jack Back alter-ego and his current collaborative efforts with Morten. It's worth listening to for the intro edit of Titanium alone. A new main stage Guetta, taking inspiration from his roots, for a new house focused generation.

Drezo

Last weekend Insomniac gifted ravers with a Virtual Rave-A-Thon featuring artists from the postponed Beyond Wonderland. While there were a slew of artists worth listening too Drezo stands out with his pulsing dark bruting version of house. It's all consuming and the perfect mix to drown out the world for just a little while.

Madeon

His inaugural Ironing Board Session (he hinted it may become a weekly fixture for the time being) is just something you have to experience. Genuine to the core and immensely talented. The stream will put a smile on your face and turn you day around...it is that simple. Just listen to it.

Corona Sabbath (Diplo)

Diplo has been hitting quarantine life hard, bringing music to the people multiple days a week. Last Saturday for his weekly Corona Sabbath he had Dillon Francis swing by for a back-to-back set. The two have obviously played together before, but a new mix from them is always welcome. The entire stream is over two and a half hours long and focuses on house music. It's laid back, and perfect to have on during the day while you attempt to be productive.  

Destructo

All My Friends head honcho Destructo blessed fans who have been following ship adventures for years—Holy Ship through Friendship—with a six hour long Sunday Sermon from his living room. Usually we get a live Sunrise Sermon set once a year, so this was a very welcome journey for fans. If you are looking for a quarantine musical pilgrimage, this is it. 

Calvin Harris - Love Regenerator Livestream

We don't typically get anything live from Harris these days. Outside of his Vegas residency and a handful of headlining festival spots, none of which are streamed, he keeps to himself. So the inaugural live performance by his Love Regenerator side project was a very welcome surprise. This isn't the sticky pop Harris that fans have come to know over the last decade. This is a departure, a deep dive that mixes the past and present to revive rave sentiments of old with a modern twist.

Morgan Page

Page's Quarantine Sessions have been hitting in full force for the last week. With regular broadcasts, always accompanied with a different wine pairing, Page has been showing audiences he is capable of spanning numerous genres/styles. This particular mix is more of a deep dive and a deviation from Page's more regular big room focused sets.

Disclosure

Live from Self Isolation F.M. this is Disclosure's first Kitchen Mix. After many year's of relative obscurity the brothers recently returned from their hiatus with a slew of new tracks. The mix showcases their current frame of mind and may be an indication for what we can expect moving forward.

Odesza

The long awaited NO.SLEEP Mix.12 has finally arrived. It has been over two years, before the release of A Moment Apart, since the duo has released a mix. Atmospheric and ethereal, the mix showcases Odesza's signature sound and it is the perfect rainy day escape.

Paul Van Dyk & Chris Bekker

Live from Berlin, as part of DJ Mag's House Party series, these two trance producers are bringing quality long form trance sets to the masses. Their DJ Mag stream came in at just over three and a half hours. They also have a  PC Music Night back-back that lasted for over five hours. Don't miss one of the god fathers of trance doing his thing—perfect for getting you through long days.

Purple Haze (Sander van Doorn)

A true Purple Haze set—in my opinion—is always a treat. Sander is a world class technical DJ and although his style has drifted over the years Purple Haze is pure unfettered trance at its very best.  Fast paced, enthralling, and seamless...don't miss this one. Click here to watch it.

Oliver Heldens

Why? Because the man has fun. This is his Virtual Ultra set, and to be honest the announcer and set up of the SiriusXM stream provides a sense of normalcy to these uncertain times. But mostly, its just fun to listen to. Give it a listen, it will give you a jolt or energy and put a smile on your face when you may need it the most. 

Ever After Music Festival highlights: A few of our favourite sets & moments

Photos by Andrew Iriah

By Sinejan Ozaydemir 

Festival season is underway and this past weekend, electronic music fans, headbangers and bassheads from all over Canada gathered to party at Ever After Festival in Kitchener Ontario. The festival featured rides and attractions, a waterpark and camping. The three day event attracted tens of thousands of fans for 47 performances.

Here are some of our favourite sets/moments from the festival:

Slander

Slander’s set was one of the best sets of the festival in terms of song selection. The crowd had piled onto the main area by their set time on Friday evening and were having a great time. The hour was filled with chill vibes as Slander guided the crowd through highs and lows. They provided great variety in their one hour set and especially did a great job mixing some throwbacks into the bass heavy tracks that festival goers were there for! They played a few crowd favourites like: "Superhuman" by Slander, "Yeah!" - Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris, "Never be like you" by Flume ft. Kai , "I fall apart"- Post Malone, "Physically" - Mrefjus & Gud, and "Vibrations" - NGHTMRE.

Snails

Right after Slander, Snails took the stage with a set that was bass heavy and such a good time! Although it was still somewhat early in the evening, the crowd was energized and thoroughly enjoyed this set as they were headbanging for the majority of the hour and a half set. His visuals were also lively and engaging. He was also one of the DJs paying tribute to Aviici this weekend with a remix of Levels.

Bear Grillz

One of my favourite sets of the whole festival was mid-day Saturday. The hour that Bear Grillz had the stage seemed like a lot shorter. He had really good control of the crowd and seriously entertained. Another great set with regards to song selection and mixes. There was so much dancing that Bear Grillz actually tired out the crowd, almost a quarter of the crowd by the main stage actually needed a break after this set- clearly shows that they had a great time. He also premiered a new unreleased track during his set which was well received.

Kill The Noise

Kill the noise got everyone jumping: besides the crowd loving well known more tracks throughout the set, he was also one of the DJ’s that premiered new music! He even invited Snails up to the stage to premiere their new collab called "Shake the Ground" for the crowd which was well received. Another great set from day two of the festival.
 

Drezo

A large group of people could be seen leaving the main areas of the festival and heading up the hill to the Upside Down House stage for Drezo’s set. Although the climb up the hill was challenging for some concert goers, this did not stop them as they piled in to the fenced area by the Upside Down House Stage. Totally a different vibe from the main stage, it was a great set as people danced in and out of each other’s dance circles.
 

Excision

It is always great to see headliners completely taking over while they expertly entertain their audience. Excision’s set was just that. He had a great package of tunes, visuals and excitement that  shows clearly why he was closing off Ever After Festival. The anticipation was building up as the sun went down and the crowd welcomed Excision to the stage. It was a great party through and through with fireworks and great visuals electronic music fans love.

Although the festival was not in a big city in Ontario, it was pretty packed. Observing the number of attendees was impressive while walking through the festival grounds. A good number of people enjoyed the rides and attractions but a greater number piled around the attractions that were situated at the back of the main stage to listen to the music with their fellow festival goers.

At times the crowd spanned all the way into the treed areas, and even though the festival worked hard to keep sound levels down in order to reduce the amount of noise complaints, the music could be heard and enjoyed clearly from the hills or the back of the crowd. The result on Sunday was a large and tired-out group of people who had three days of music with some of their favourite DJs.  

If you're still planning for your next festival, make sure to check out the 2018 festival guide below: