Concert Report: Igloofest 11 (Montreal)

Who the hell puts on an outdoor DJ concert in the middle of a Canadian winter? Montreal does, that's who! Back for the 11th edition of this event that keeps getting bigger and bigger as word gets out, Igloofest is taking place this year over 4 weekends with each weekend having concerts on  Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights.

There are two DJ stages with the main stage known as the Sapporo Stage after its sponsor Sapporo Beer. Place was already pretty crowded when I arrived around 8PM.

DJ Kris Tin (CDN) was doing some Tech House when I got there.

It was 11F° at the outset but no one seemed to give it a bother!

Beware the abominable snowmen who thrive in this weather!

Over on the alternative Videotron Stage, DJ The Rawsoul (CDN) was pounding out Techno.

Not that many people here as everyone came to see the headliner!

So back at the main stage, just in time to hear him open with his namesake "Oh Yes, Oh Yes"!

The legend, DJ Carl Cox (GB)!

Sold out crowd of around 9,000! And if I understood what I was told correctly, not the first sellout in Igloofest history but the first time it was sold out in advance of the event!

Jammed as far as the eye could see!

Back over to the Videotron Stage to see DJ Miss Me (LAO / B).

Originally from Laos and then Belgium, I believe she's now residing here in Montreal!

Miss Me booming out a techno remix of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love".

Around the Igloofest grounds, ice bars!

Ice sculptures!

Logo store.  No t-shirts but plenty of beanies!

Food is available!

 The bars stayed busy will full-liquor service and plenty of Sapporo Beer tall boys!

OK, as midnight approached, back to the Sapporo main stage!

Now 7F°, no one was leaving!

I came because I've never seen Carl Cox before. His only gig in Orlando was years ago at Senso Supperclub and he's never been back!

Weaving between House, Tech House & Techno, his set mixed songs with and without vocals to great effect!

All with some of that chatter he's famous for!

DJ's view of the crowd below!  Igloofest continues tonight and for the next 3 weekends so check out the upcoming lineups here!

Blog exclusive bird's eye view of the crowd below! Big thanks to Igloofest Relationniste Francois Fournier for the behind-the-scenes tour and DJ access! A good time was had by all!

DS Update: New Balloon Raised

With my schedule this week, I've not been able to get out to Disney Springs to view the new Characters In Flight tethered helium balloon.  But Blog Mickey was out there and they've posted photos which you can find via the hyperlink.
The first thing that jumps out at you is the blue color scheme which is a vast departure from CIF's first two balloons which were mostly red and orange.  The new balloon does not have any Disney characters on it, also unlike the first two. This signals that Aerophile is likely changing the name of the attraction to something else since clearly (and deliberately) there no longer are any characters flying!  CIF, or whatever the name will be, is supposed to reopen tomorrow. 

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY JAN 12
Tonight at Venue 578, DJ trio Keys 'n' Krates (CDN) in a first visit since EDC.  Electronica.

FRIDAY JAN 13
No 80's Night this month at The Abbey but tomorrow night they do have DJ Stephen and his "One Night In Amsterdam" tour. Attire is "Red Light District".  Reggae, Soca, EDM.  

SATURDAY JAN 14
Music critics have given DJ Audien (USA) many accolades for his productions and he's playing live at Gilt Nightclub this weekend! EDM / Electrohouse

Vinyl Arts Bar has a special show Saturday night featuring Chicago's DJ Mystic Bill (USA), with Tampa's Brian Busto (USA) opening!

Another really high quality show this Saturday night takes place at Peek Downtown when resident DJ Fobia opens for a rare appearane by DJ duo Latenight Society (USA).  House.

SUNDAY JAN 15
Another local boy who made good, DJ Sage Armstrong (USA) is playing Sunday night outside at Elixir. Free event.

Promo Only Meat & Greet 2017

Live from Promo Only studios in Orlando, their Meat & Greet event last night dedicated to delicious BBQ meats and DJ quality chit-chat time! As you probably know, Promo Only is the world's leading packager of music and music videos for DJ's, clubs & restaurants. If you're out somewhere and see a music video playing, there's a great chance you'll see the Promo Only label at both ends of the song!

Grabbing some brisket and checking out the music!

DJ Evan Clark was spinning when I arrived in their studio room.

Being broadcast worldwide on the internet!

DJ Scott King of Disney Springs and Atlantic Dance Hall taking over next!

Over in one of the side rooms, part of an autograph wall that used to be housed in Mannequins' DJ booth! We did an article about this last summer here.

Another DJ group gathered in the warehouse.

Promo Only co-founder and former Mannequins DJ Pete Werner showing off his "bass tube" which he says combines his love for music with his love for fire, lol!  As music is played, compression makes the flames smaller and larger and it goes crazy for Bass & Trap!

In a side office, Promo Only's other co-founder Jim Robinson has displays of Disney pins from his days working there.  So much history here!

Jim tells the Blog that technically he was Pleasure Island's very first DJ, having played from a catwalk there on media day before PI opened!  He says this was prior to the PI Live booth being built.

Spotted: DJ Leony from Red Coconut Club with Dance singer Britt Daley. Britt is most famous for her vocals on Morgan Page's hit "Running Wild".

Spotted: DJ Geebo from Sly Fox Lounge & DJ Rock Johnson of Jungle Room.

Spotted: DJ Ray Love & DJ Ish up front; sorry don't know the others.

Spotted: Mannequins DJ's Dave Cannalte & Pete Werner. Yes, a Mannequins Reunion may be happening in 2017!

Spotted with Pete Werner: DJ Magic Mike, DJ Icey, & DJ Shaolin of Dallas.

Big thanks to DJ Scotty B for the invitation! A good time was had by all!

Put That Fuckin' Phone Down!

To all those times I see a couple dancing with each other, each glued to their cell phone instead of paying attention to the one that they're with! This EDM Song is called "Phone Down" from DJ duo Lost Kings (USA) ft. Emily Warren. It made it to #25 on Billboard's U.S. Hot Dance chart!

Igloofest Returns For Another Season

Who the hell does night time outdoor Techno concerts in the middle of a Canadian winter? Montreal does, that's who! The 11th edition of Igloofest kicks off this coming weekend and over 4 weekends there will be outdoor concerts! World class DJ's will be performing this year including Carl Cox (GB), Miss Me (LAO/B), Josh Wink (USA), Steve Bug (D), Lauren Lane (USA), Claptone (D), Laurent Garnier (F), Eats Everything (GB), Catz 'N' Dogz (PL), Green Velvet (USA) & Shiba San (F). Full lineup here.  Our Northern & Canadian readers should try to attend this one of a kind event!  Weather permitting, the Blog will be there this Friday night to check it out!