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Win 2 Tickets to Electric Island Toronto Editions on May 19th and June 22nd
Photo by Alec Donnell Luna of Ded Agency – All Right Reserved ©
As the number one open-air concert + picnic series across Canada, Electric Island in Toronto has quickly earned its reign as the best of the best producing five events over the course of each summer, showcasing renowned international artists, taking place on the picturesque Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Islands. Stepping into its seventh season, be sure to save the dates for Sunday, May 19th, Saturday, June 22nd, Saturday, August 10th, and a two-day festival season finale on Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1st. Electric Island holds a piece of magic as it represents a true summer romance, as we come together again for the love of dance music we present to you, the May 19th Season Opener lineup and the roster for the second edition for this year, to take place on June 22nd.
Win 2 Tickets to Electric Island Toronto on Labor Day Feat. Nicole Moudaber, Justin Martin, Lane 8 and J.Phlip
With the Electric Island Toronto season six finale upon us, two things are clear:
1) This year was one of the most successful and attended summers to date, and
2) this year was one of the fastest summers to pass by! It’s hard to believe that Toronto is already gearing up for the two-day Labour Day edition, on Sunday, September 2 and Monday, September 3. Most mourn the Labour Day weekend, as it signals an end to the warmer days, but thanks to the absolutely stacked line-up that Electric Island has put together, the only feelings here are anticipation, wonder and joy! From one of dance music’s biggest names, Loco Dice, to the queen of techno herself, Nicole Moudaber, to Mobilee’s exquisite live performer Rodriguez Jr., the season finale boasts an incredible line-up of international talent.
Win 2 VIP Tickets to Electric Island Toronto on August 11th to Catch Green Velvet, Shiba San, Latmun b2b Detlef and More
Canadians knew exactly where to ring in the Canada Day holiday this year, as thousands boated over to Hanlan’s Point for another sold-out edition of Electric Island. The roaring heat didn’t appear to phase the many smiling, red & white painted faces, as music-lovers bopped about the dance floor. From start to finish, the energy was truly electric!
Heading into next month, Electric Island has announced their August edition. Festival-goers will be pleased to hear that this year’s event will not hinder your long weekend plans, as it will take place on Saturday, August 11, 2018.
Electric Island Announces Season Six Lineup with Charlotte de Witte, Loco Dice, Nicole Moudaber, Black Coffee and More
Ever since its inception in Toronto in 2013, Electric Island has grown in size and global prominence among the electronic music community. This year, organizers promise a bigger edition of Electric Island as it partners with Embrace, Footwork and Platform to bring the industry’s biggest names to this event.
Toronto’s Electric Island Announces 2017 Season Lineup with Sven VĂ€th, Maceo Plex, Dixon, Nina Kraviz and Ben Klock
Celebrating five years this upcoming season, Toronto’s Electric Island is going all out to celebrate a milestone that has seen the event series grow to one of the most respected techno and house brands in North America.
After Hours in Toronto: A Look Inside Comfort Zone
“It was a magic zoo that we called home…Even after traveling the whole world, Comfort Zone is still untouchable for me. This place moulded who we are today as people and DJs” Carlo Lio
Electronic music knows no boundaries. From the underground in LA to the super clubs of Ibiza, dance music will find itâs way into every crevice around the world. Last year we visited several of the key North American after hour parties with a short series of articles that dug deep into some of the key parties that take place when clubs and bars close down and the real party really gets started.
For the first edition of our After Hour Series we put the spotlight on Asylum Afterhours in Hawaii. We then followed that up by taking a look at our neighbors from the North with an inside look at Comfort Zone in Toronto, Canada.
Canada has always fostered large growth within the techno and underground community, with Toronto being a major hub for artists. As a result, the city has become home to an after hours that is held in high regards by all artists, and is a personal favorite of Toronto locals such as Carlo Lio, Nathan Barato, and The Junkies, among others. For the past twenty years, Comfort Zone has acted as a musical haven for the Toronto groove seekers, and has played an important role in Toronto’s influence on the local and global scene. Read more
Preview: Sydney Blu’s New Album “Relentless”
After the release of singles such as My Neighbours Hate Me, Vnderground, Need I Say More, and Teardrop, Sydney Blu is set to release Relentless, her first full length album at the end of July.
 âI spent the past 2 years defining the sound I wanted to relay about myself to the world. This album is a great example of exactly that sound. It is also an example of the never ending, relentless passion I have to my work & art. This is Relentless. I hope people like it.â – Sydney BluÂ
Hailing from Toronto, one of Canadaâs techno capitals, Sydney Blu has developed a deep affinity for all facets of underground dance music, and Relentless is the expansive outlet in which she can showcase her sound. With a mix of driving and groovy techno thereâs something for each part of the night on Relentless. You can preview all 13 tracks from Sydney Bluâs album below, and see which ones capture the groove for you.
 Sydney Blu has completed many tours around the world, has had multiple singles enter the charts, and successfully founded the record label, Blu Music. The release of Relentless will mark another achievement in Sydneyâs career, and is sure to make an impact in the club rooms.
Relentless will be available July 27, 2015 through Black Hole Recordings
Pre-order the album on iTunes
Tickets + Guestlist:Â Relentless Album Release Party at Sound Nightclub
Sydney Blu: Official Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Beatport
Relentless starts with a tense yet ambient intro complete with vocal treatment from widely popular dance singer/songwriter, Cari Golden. The intro then transitions into Whatâs Inside and acts as a welcoming opener to the rest of the album.
Nothing to Hide hits a deeper house groove with an elastic bassline that is soon offset by a progressive vocal break that would operate as a prime DJ tool for the club room.
The third track, Centipede, takes things in a more driving direction with a carefully treated acid bassline, ethereal pads, a dance floor friendly vocal, and drum programming that elevates the track to a peak time groove.
Up next we see Sydney Blu team up with Blue Gates to bring Electric Era. The chords dominate the spectrum on this one, but the attention quickly shifts as soon as an incredibly bouncy bassline reenters the mix. Add in the vocals of Fritz Helder, the vocalist of Azari & III) and you have everything you need ready for action.
Munich is another groove driven affair that combines sub-warming bass with tight drum programming.
Sydney Blu brings in two collaborations with D. Ramirez for the sixth and seventh track of Relentless. You Were the One and Need I Say More are primed and ready for the dance floor, but out of these two we predict the dance floor favorite to be Need I Say More.
The title of the eighth track is one that all DJâs and producers can relate to. My Neighbors Hate Me is an excellent example of a tech house track that is loaded with energy and an infectious groove.
It Doesnât Matter gives off the vibe of a long night at the afterhour. With a strong groove, the break comes as a welcome breather for those locked in to the dance marathon. But the break doesnât last long as the track dives right back into the madness with a heavily treated LFO drone that melts into the spectrum.
Teardrop is a euphoric record embodying old school progressive, combined with new age tech-house. With uplifting, dreamy vocals from Jamie Lee Wilson, Teardrop takes things to a much more nostalgic place.
Vnderground is clearly a play on our beloved term âundergroundâ, and we couldnât be more happy with the result. This one really does feel undergroundâŠliterally. Dusty snares trigger throughout the sequence with an immense low end to completely engulf anyone within the confines of the dance floor.
The twelfth track is the only remix on the album. Sydney Blu puts her musical interpretation on the famous track Mad World with Rachael Starr steeping up to provide the vocals.
Little Things focuses exactly on that, the little things. When many of the little elements come together to form a cohesive arrangement the result is a great piece of dance music. And to include the album, Sydney Blu reminds us of this with all the various textures utilized in the closing track.
