Music festivals
First-Ever EDM Festival in the Maldives Planned for Late 2021
Long celebrated for its pristine beaches and aquamarine waters, the Maldives are known as one of the most romantic places on earth. But thanks to a new music festival, honeymooners and travel influencers aren’t the only ones soon able to enjoy the lavish locale. A group of event organizers are planning a brand new electronic dance music festival in the region, a remote archipelago of coral islands in the Indian Ocean. An announcement shared on Facebook has called for applications from local DJs, dancers, and festival staff for what the fest’s founders deemed a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” The three-day festival is being planned for November 2021. However, organizers have not yet announced official dates. According to Maldivian news outlet Ra...
IMANU Falls Through Stage at Czech Music Festival, Ends Up in Hospital
One of the best nights of IMANU‘s promising young career quickly devolved into one that ended with him in a hospital bed. The budding bass music producer took the stage over the weekend at Let It Roll, a Czech music festival in the Milovice Airport complex. He appeared alongside a bevy of iconic drum & bass artists, such as A.M.C, Netsky, NOISIΛ, and a collaborative performance by Mefjus and Camo & Krooked. The fest was eventually hit with inclement weather, as heavy winds and rain walloped the stage and led to a severe thunderstorm, according to NOISIΛ’s Thys. He tweeted yesterday that an artist “fell through the stage and was picked up by ambulance,” adding that he was okay in the aftermath of the incident. IMANU eventually shared an I...
deadmau5, REZZ, Zeds Dead, More Set to Headline îLESONIQ Redux 2021
îLESONIQ hosts some of the best international and Canadian artists around, catering to all styles of contemporary music. Hosted at the stunning Parc Jean-Drapeau, this multi-day experience incorporates incredible music, people, food, and culture for a unique festival experience. The event first launched in 2014, hosting around 25,000 attendees at the Parc Jean-Drapeau, situated east of downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in the Saint Lawrence River. With a successful first year, organizers assembled even more for the second edition—this time more than doubling the number of attendees to upwards of 60,000. Naturally, the 2020 edition of îLESONIQ was set to be even bigger and better, but was sadly postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. While the 2021 edition was originally slated for ...
HARD Summer 2021: Here are the Highlights of the SoCal Music Festival’s Return
After two years, HARD Summer brought over 160,000 ravers back together for a weekend full of electronic music and long-awaited fun. With over six stages, dazzling light displays, and a giant glowing ferris wheel, the festival felt like a smaller EDC. Fans gathered like moths to the bright and vibrant lights, and the energy was palpable after over a year in isolation for most. San Bernardino temperatures hovered around 100°, but thankfully Insomniac provided copious free water stations, shady, grassy areas and misting stations for their festival-goers to cool down. The hydrating drink of the weekend was Liquid Death. Contrary to its aggressive name, it was just water, the idea being to “murder your thirst” and save the earth with their plastic-free recyclable cans. Stages: Pyrotechnics...
“Headbanger’s Paradise”: Excision Announces New Oceanfront Music Festival in Cancún
Excision has announced a brand new destination music festival, which the dubstep icon has likened to a “headbanger’s paradise.” Excision’s first-ever destination music festival, Paradise Blue invites dubstep fans to the idyllic beaches of Cancún, Mexico, where they’ll be able to kick up some sand and rage to heavy-hitting performances from a who’s who of the finest in bass music. Primed for DJ sets at the inaugural fest are Zomboy, Virtual Riot, 12th Planet, Eliminate, SVDDEN DEATH, and ATLiens, among others. While the festival’s lineup is impressive, its pièce de résistance lies in its founder. Excision will perform three unique sets—yes, three—at Paradise Blue, which is scheduled for April 29th to May 1st, 2022. Flyer for...
Kygo’s Palm Tree Crew to Host Music Festival With Zedd, Gryffin, More
Kygo has announced a special one-day music festival under the umbrella of his vibrant Palm Tree Crew clothing brand. Scheduled for August 29th, Palm Tree Festival promises an immersive, beach-inspired experience and its organizers have drawn in a stellar lineup to fit the occasion. In addition to a performance from Kygo himself, Zedd, Gryffin, Frank Walker, and Forester have all jumped onboard. “I knew it was time to bring something even bigger to my fans,” Kygo said in a statement. “I can’t wait for everyone to be a part of this amazing experience.” Flyer for the inaugural Palm Tree Festival featuring Kygo, Zedd, Gryffin and more. c/o Palm Tree Crew The festival’s location is an intriguing one. Located around 80 miles east of New York City, Gabreski Priv...
Lollapalooza Announces Indoor Mask Requirements Halfway Through 2021 Festival
The organizers of Lollapalooza, Chicago’s largest music festival, have established new mask requirements halfway through the event’s 2021 edition. A tweet posted on Lollapalooza’s verified Twitter account noted that “masks must be worn in all indoor spaces at Grant Park” starting today, July 31st, regardless of vaccination status. The measures went into effect in accordance with new guidance from the CDC, which requires everyone in the city to wear a mask in public indoor settings to limit the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant. “Based on the latest advice from the Chicago Department of Public Health, Lollapalooza will require masks in any indoor spaces at Grant Park beginning Saturday,” reads a follow-up tweet published by Lollapalo...
You Can Now Get Married at Bonnaroo
Many people have found their soulmates through a shared love of music. Some have even met their life partners at concerts and music festivals. The organizers of Tennessee’s famed Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival realized that music and romance go hand-in-hand, so for its 20th edition this year, they’re making it easier than ever tie the knot. With the introduction of its “House of Holy MatROOmony” arm, Bonnaroo will now offer wedding services at the festival. “For the first time ever you can say ‘I do’ at Bonnaroo!” reads the initiative’s registration form. “Bring your Bonna-boo to the Chapel of Love for roomantic activities like Love Song Karaoke Happy Hour, interactive photo booth installations and, of course, daily Wedding ceremonies where...
Lollapalooza Ramps Up Personnel to Support COVID-19 Vaccine Screening Measures
Lollapalooza is just a couple of days away from kicking off its 30th annual event and preparations are in the final stages. Of course this year’s event proves to be especially unique. Following an online-only edition in 2020, Lollapalooza is returning to form with a plan that puts public health top of mind. This year Lollapalooza is staffing up particularly heavily to support the coronavirus screening efforts that will be taking place at the festival’s front gates. At the City of Chicago’s direction as well as the Department of Public Health, all attendees will need to produce a printed vaccine card or proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to gain entry. Chicago’s Lollapalooza music festival. Lollapalooza (via Facebook) Recommended Articles Acco...
Dutch Government Extends Music Festival Ban Through August
An update to Dutch COVID-19 regulations has prolonged a ban on the nation’s music festivals for at least another month, citing continued risks to public health in the immediate term. Over the last few months the relationship between world-renowned Dutch festival brands and the government has soured, to say the least. Despite high hopes for a triumphant 2021 return for Tomorrowland, among other events, festival organizers continue to cite a lack of clarity in regulation and direction from the government as the cause for their indefinite postponement. In the case of Tomorrowland, as recently as June the government indicated a favorable outlook in terms of their efforts to green-light a 2021 edition in late August. By late July, the festival had been cancelled after their app...
The Majority of Dance Music Fans Believe Festival Organizers Should Mandate Vaccines
In a recent survey conducted by EDM.com, two-thirds of respondents revealed they believe promoters should take action in ensuring that attendees are vaccinated prior to entry. The idea of implementing vaccine passport regulation has been a hotly debated topic in recent weeks. In the United States there is currently no enforcement of such policies at the federal level, which has, by consequence, left the states to make their own decisions. New York, for example, does not mandate businesses to verify vaccination status. However, their implementation of Excelsior Pass, a digital vaccine verification system, has allowed venues to make the decision for themselves as to whether or not they want to utilize it. On the other hand, Florida has banned businesses from verifying vaccination ...
Passion, Perseverance, and Propaganda: Behind Pakistan’s Controversial Hunza Verse Music Festival
Before prohibition and religious radicalization under the rule of Zia Ul Haq in 1977, Pakistan’s nightlife was thriving. In the bustling metropolis of Karachi, clubs like Excelsior, Oasis, Samar, and Club 007 openly served alcohol, hosted American jazz musicians like Dizzie Gillespie and Duke Ellington, and attracted professional belly dancers from foreign cities like Beirut, Cairo, Tehran, and Istanbul. Sweeping conservatism shuttered Pakistan’s nightlife, thwarting any chance for dance music to enter the fold. In recent years, however, regional stability and tides of liberalism have birthed interest in electronic music beyond house parties and underground raves. Diplo performed in Islamabad in 2016 before returning in 2018 alongside Valentino Khan and Chrome Sparks for a Pakistani rendit...
