Victoria, get ready to dance.
Whether you’re a bass-head, an ambient devotee, or think all electronic music is called “techno” and sounds like “Sandstorm,” you’re sure to find a sound that suits your style at the eighth annual Victoria Electronic Music Festival.
For two days this weekend, Victoria will be inundated with some of the most diverse electronic beats from around the province and the world.
“Most people outside the culture don’t have a broad view of what it is,” says festival general manager, Jason Guille. “They think it’s all house music or call it techno, but it’s so much more than that.”
Downtown’s Centennial Square will be transformed into a massive dance floor and live music venue from noon until 10 p.m., Sat., July 30 and Sun., July 31, giving the audience a chance to listen to 20 hours of electronica from various genres, including dub step, trance, house, disco, industrial, ambient and many more. Headliners include internationals Egyptrixx Live, Klever, Treasure Fingers and Donald Glaude as well as local favourites like W.A.X., Rhythmicon, Rennie Foster, AFK and Murge, plus live performances from Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness, Brass, Sass and Swing and many more.
“VEMF has a core intention to deliver on both names you know and amazing up and comers you don’t,” says Guille. “It’s amazing to watch the community discuss before the show, and hear them say ‘I’ve never heard of those people.’ I have a feeling that later they’ll be saying, ‘Oh my God! How have I not heard of those people?’”
For the first time ever, VEMF is fencing in the event, putting up a security barrier and charging a $5 per person per day gate charge to help cover the increased security costs of a festival that grows by leaps and bounds with each passing year.
“It’s not our first choice,” says Guille. “For a better part of a decade, we maintained the position as Western Canada’s largest free electronic music festival, but having said that, that $5 goes a long way.”
After parties and club nights will be held across the city at various venues, including Sugar Nightclub, Lucky Bar, Hush Nightclub, Metropolis, Base Lounge, Sunset Room and Baja Surf Grill. Tickets can be purchased at vemf.org. Act fast, because some of those nights will sell out, says Guille.
VEMF Interactive offers electronic music producers, performers and promoters a series of interactive workshops led by local, national and international talent. Starting Wed., July 27 and running through until Fri., July 29, Interactive will provide electronic music enthusiasts with the knowledge they need to succeed in the industry. Whether you’re a beginner DJ, or have been producing music for a decade, these workshops are promising to take your game to the next level. Individual classes are $20, and all six classes in each stream can be attended for $100.
VEMF is still seeking volunteers for the weekend. “Particularly, we’re looking for folks to do “vibe patrol,” which is basically just wandering around the square during the day and making sure everyone is having a good time and alerting security to any concerns,” says Amanda Farrell-Low, communications coordinator. “Perks involve free admission to both days of the event and club nights, a kickass T-shirt and a really wicked volunteer appreciation party in August.”
Contact the human resources manager, at chelsie@vemf.org. if you want to volunteer. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit vemf.org. M
Victoria Electronic Music Festival
July 29 & 30 from noon until 10 pm in Centennial Square. $5
Clubnights and afterparties until 5:30 am at venues throughout the city, $20