Concert Report: A State Of Trance 750 (Toronto)

Saturday night in downtown Toronto at the Enercare Centre for A State of Trance 750!

Packed auditorium!  Had hoped to catch the second half of DJ Ben Gold (GB) but long security searches at the entrance followed by long lines for drinks prevented that.

But I did get to my spot in time for the 9PM show from DJ Standerwick (GB).

I had never seen him before and he was impressive!

Most of his selections were vocal Trance!

The crowd was really into his music!

I would estimate the crowd at around 5,000!

At 10PM the fast-moving night brought us DJ Orjan Nilsen (N).

Just like when I saw him at EDC - Orlando in 2014, he was quite animated!

With his friendly nature and cherub looks, he was a crowd-favorite!

And when he told the Toronto Trance crowd to raise their hands, they did!

Confetti bombs!

At 11PM it was time for DJ Andrew Rayel (MD).

While his set was mostly Trance, he also dipped into some EDM selections throughout his hour set!

He played Friday night at New City Gas in Montreal and I had planned to go after Igloofest but when I saw he was playing at ASOT 750, there was no reason to see him twice.

The crowd was getting antsy for Armin van Buuren!

They blasted a lot of confetti last night! Apologies to my taxi driver and hotel maid for what I left behind!

Playing his biggest hit "One In A Million".

And then right on time at midnight, the reason everyone was here!

And as the smoke cleared, there he was!  Armin van Buuren (NL)!

Armin's weekly worldwide radio show, "A State of Trance" is made in a studio but milestone episodes take place around the world.  Such was the case last night with Episode 750 in Toronto! Expressing disbelief and thanking the crowd for coming.

Lots of smoke!

Lots of lasers!

The front of the pack!

His set was mostly newer material with some songs from other DJ/Producers.

Congratulations to Armin van Buuren for this accomplishment!

A good time was had by all!

Concert Report: Igloofest 10 (Montreal)

Each winter going on 10 years this year, Igloofest in Montreal has brought together thousands of electronic music fans under the stars.  (Although last night it was under the clouds as snow fell!)  Last summer the Blog covered Piknic Electronik, the much-warmer older cousin of this event.  Last night we came back for more.

The main Sapporo Stage around 8PM with just a few hardy souls on the dance floor!

Local favorite DJ Mandiz (CDN) in the booth!

Techno music for the masses!

Although those masses were just beginning to build.  Would this place really get crowded on a cold winter night?  Keep in mind that this is outdoors!

The Videotron Mobile Stage is the second of two stages at Igloofest but it's no less cold!

More Techno from DJ duo Nymra & Sofisticated (CDN).

They are also from Quebec.

Back to the main stage.

Still a little spartan around 9PM but lots of people milling about the grounds.

DJ Heidi (GB) on the decks!

More Techno here too.  It was a Techno night at Igloofest.

Mixed with some House though.

The Montreal skyline was a beautiful backdrop to this event as this is downtown on a pier sticking out into the St. Lawrence River.

By 10PM it was packed!

Besides the two stages, there were food and drink vendors.

Some of them with an ice theme!

Games!

Even a slide!

Plenty of costumes such as this group made up of Jean Martin, Carl, Natalie, Steve & David!

Back to the Videotron Mobile Stage.

DJ La Fleur (S) in the house delivering House!

The Swedish DJ turned out to be my favorite of the night!

I like Techno but I like House better!

These people are absolutely crazy to be out here!  Love it!

Back to the main stage for the finale!

Some real old school Detroit Techno from DJ Al Ester (USA)!

Tag teaming with veteran DJ Carl Craig (USA).

A little Motown mixed in there and the crowd was going crazy.....although those tall boy Sapporo's probably had something to do with it too!

Most people in cold areas spend their winters indoors.  Montreal goes outside and dances!  One more weekend and then it's over until next year. At Igloofest, a good time was had by all!