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2013 a year in review.
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| feelgood |
Well its safe to say this forum is on its last legs.
No xmas download thread, no year in review thread, no massive 'the gift' roll call.
Better late than never.
What were your thoughts on 2013?
From my perspective:
Good Things
- The neon generation that got into this music back in the late 2000's has gradually matured, resulting in a huge influx of creativity from them. It's no secret that 'deep house' (or whatever you call it) is the new mainstream. This same demographic is powering the new rave scene. On all fronts from dnb to techno to ambient, its incredible whats coming out these days. There is not enough time in the day to soak it all in.
- Smaller underground parties are happening all over the city. Comparing this to back in 2004-2005 when i started getting into this scene it's pretty amazing to see how good we have it now. On any given friday im juggling 3-4 good options. While this was the case last year, it's only improved since.
- Promoter collaboration is commonplace. Its far less political and the underground has really come together to throw some good parties.
- I'd say Toronto is the electronic capital of North America. I've been to enough other cities this year to firmly say that we have it damn good. The list of all star talent that has come through here is mind boggling.
- While all our promoters do an A+ job, I'd especially like to make a shout out to Ozmozis for taking on some serious prog bookings in a city that historically has been very tough for prog in the last few years. Henry Saiz, Guy J residency, Quivver, and so many more.. Well done.
The Bad
- Footwork. End of an era, but it'll be archived in the same place as system soundbar. Plus we got Coda coming!
- Oversaturation? Everyone and their dog is a DJ. In my hometown of Guelph, not a week goes by where my residency is under threat from some new kid who will work for drinks. Venues that would otherwise pay up for a good DJ are suddenly changing DJs every month to keep their cost down. Fortunately there are still a few experienced owners who understand the value of an experienced DJ.
- That deep voice thats in every 'deep house' track. that , its sooooo over played.
Anyone else? |
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| Cro_Addict |
| Also no Santa hats this year either. |
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| CODE |
We Got Electric Island...Nuff Said.
Also there are too many DJ's and wanna be promoters.
the end.
I like feelgood's review
One thing is Certain. Toronto right now is taking the lead for
Electronic Music in North America for any city.
No one has as many quality events and artists as we did in 2013.
And 2014 is looking to be massive.
Most important are all the clubbers that support the Scene and the music. Everyone should be proud about Toronto right now |
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| Mach X |
I'll put a brief one up...
GOOD
Electric Island parties, I fully intend to attend as many of them again this year as I can!
BAD
Toronto is 4 hours away, not that easy to attend all the epic parties Toronto has had this year, and I need to take an extra day off work for the Electric Island parties
GOOD
I think this year's DEMF was amazing, so many good acts, had a great time with friends, probably one of my favourite ones to date considering everything, from the Maetrik & Digweed in the torrential rain on Monday, and the Masters @ Work killing it on the Sunday before, the Underground Stage just blowing up! Great weather as well.
BAD
I didn't get to go to BPM 2013 and despite all my efforts to go to BPM 2014, a few months of unemployment and job seeking didn't allow.
Can't really think of much more, I'll admit I was not fully engrossed into the into the 'scene' in 2013 as I was years past. It wasn't bad, but I know I've experienced better years.
I do agree with OP in that Toronto is becoming a hub in this area and we're competing with larger cities for bookings now and winning. Seems the usual trail is Friday MTL, Sat YYZ, Sun NYC.
I also really want to check out Output in Brooklyn, the amount of buzz that place has created in such a short time, and the non stop positive reviews from promoters, DJs, management, patrons etc. I really want to check it out while it's still in it's prime and sweet spot where people can will say 'remember when'.
I'm also excited for more day parties, nice warm sunny day parties. (Non DD or VELD). Although, kudos to both of them for putting on some serious festivals this Summer, I would even consider attending one if the prices were not so outrageous.
2014 wish - Digweed on a boat. Evening into night. Get it done, and request 2 tix in advance please and thank you. |
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| Big Boss |
Toronto really stepped up the game in 2013. Very proud of my city, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
New York City took it's throne back as the epicenter of electronic music in North America. With new clubs like Output and Sankeys, and mainstays like Pacha, Cielo, Marquee, System etc, New York has been killing it with quality bookings every weekend.
Not to say the game wasn't changed in Toronto. Electric Island was a breath of fresh air for our scene. 4000 on a Monday afternoon feels very Montreal to me, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. Even though Cabana isn't underground, they slam with with commercial bookings. I hate the music, but give credit where it's due.
And Stereo, my God. I have to admit I was worried about the long term stability of the club in the summer time, but the owners have done a tremendous job revitalizing the name of the club in Montreal and worldwide. Stereo has the most buzz it's had in a while and that's an amazing turnaround, considering it was in some trouble earlier this year.
And with Ryze and Coda having healthy/respectful competition, it's only going to mean better bookings for this city. |
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| CODE |
Oj stop supporting the Americans lol.
your Canadian arent you? .we are the best.
but yes you have a point |
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| Big Boss |
| quote: | Originally posted by CODE
Oj stop supporting the Americans lol.
your Canadian arent you? .we are the best.
but yes you have a point |
The year Toronto had was amazing, but it is discrediting how good it's been here the past few years.
New York however, was utterly terrible for years until 2013. That's why I have to give them credit.
Sad to see Footwork go, but excited for Coda.
2014 is going to be a great year. (Especially May Electric Island lol) |
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| feelgood |
Completely forgot about Electric Island.
Yes yes and yes. Although the first jam was lackluster imo, the parties involved stepped up their game and blew my socks off with Audiofly, Gerber and Sasha. The parties afterwards were also received well from what I hear. |
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| ChemEnhanced |
| I went to one EDM event this year and it was good...so I guess my review was it was a good year.....now just waiting for Yoji this month. |
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| CMR |
Speaking about the state of dance music in general in 2013:
Good:
- After losing interest in most new stuff being released towards the end of the last decade, things seemed to start turning around by 2011, and have only gotten better in 2013. I think feelgood covered this off well.
- Dubstep is dead.
Bad (?):
- Maybe it's just because I've lost interest, but it seems like a lot of the old niche genres are dieing out. It feels like the dance music scene of today is more homogeneous (but on the other hand, less fractured) than it was in the last decade. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though.
As for things in Toronto:
Good:
- Electric Island.
- Footwork expanding (even though it comes at the expense of the Wreckroom).
- Festivals like DD doubling in size, plus new ones like Foundry and Brrrr, among a bunch more of other genres. Hell, even Sensation. Not my thing but it's never bad to have more stuff going on.
- Boiler Room. Hopefully a sign of more to come.
- The establishment of the "Austin-Toronto music city alliance" and a Toronto music office. Hopefully that should make things like festivals and parties easier to do going forward.
- Good years for local artists like Egyptrixx, Gingy & Bordello, Nautiluss, and Graze.
Bad:
- Azari & III calling it quits.
- Seems like it's becoming an ever-more difficult environment for club-owners and promoters, due to rising costs and an antagonistic municipal government.
Unfortunately (well not really unfortunate) for me though, I missed most of the good stuff happening here as I spent most of the year in the UK and then Muskoka. :) |
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| Mach X |
| quote: | Originally posted by Big Boss
(Especially May Electric Island lol) |
Sounds like you know something that I do not... I'm intrigued! |
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| CMR |
| quote: | | Originally posted by chris1011 Where abouts and for what? |
London, 'cause I felt like it. :stongue:
(I was basically working remotely at that point so I was afforded the opportunity to be wherever I wanted, so I took it and rented an apartment in London for a few months) |
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