Escapade Music Pageant: Why Canadians Do It Higher
Story by way of Olivia Wycech
Because the curtain fell on one other epic Escapade Music Pageant, we left dwelling on what precisely it was that made it monumental. Perhaps it was as a result of this type of factor by no means occurs in Ottawa. Perhaps it was as a result of a lineup this massive hardly involves Canada in any respect. Or possibly it was the idyllic (and really uncommon) climate. Regardless of the purpose was, tens of hundreds of individuals descended upon Canada’s capital metropolis for Escapade Music Pageant’s 10th-anniversary extravaganza in June and made it an unforgettable weekend in a metropolis that’s now deserving of a spot on the worldwide digital music map. Right here’s why:
It was the primary yr the pageant offered out
34,000 individuals flocked to Landsdowne Park this yr, and you can really feel it from the get-go. We’ve been to various festivals the place individuals wait to enter for both the solar to set or for the massive names to take o take the stage. However not at Escapade – the pageant was full nearly instantly after the gates opened on each Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. And those that managed to get tickets got here from as far afield as Asia, Austalia and the USA. With massive crowds come massive artists so we’re feelin’ fairly good about subsequent yr.
What? You’ve by no means raved on a soccer area earlier than?
Photos don’t lie. After relocating from a baseball area to a raceway, Escapade Music Pageant moved to its new house at Landsdowne Park three years in the past. Not solely is its location ultra-convenient being smack within the heart of downtown Ottawa, nevertheless it’s additionally the present house of the Ottawa Redblacks (the play for the CFL, which is Canada’s equal to the NFL). In its earlier two iterations, the sector itself solely made for a picture-perfect backdrop, however this yr the organizers put a stage on the precise area itself. On day one it housed The Temple of Bass with acts like Kayzo, Ghastly and 12th Planet. Day 2 bought underway with a Deadbeats takeover that includes 1788-L, Keyz n Krates, and Zeds Useless. Sorry to anybody that lived within the condominium overlooking this stage, that shit was loud. Until you’re a bass fan, then kudos since you had the very best seats in the home.
To not be a bore however we have to speak in regards to the climate
For the primary time in so a few years (so many who we misplaced rely so let’s simply say eternally), it didn’t rain. It’s each pageant’s worst nightmare – rain of biblical proportions – and it’s occurred at Escapade. However because the weekend drew close to, it was clear that Escapade was in for 2 days of sheer sunshine and the skies delivered. Leaving with a little bit of a suntan was a bonus!
Trance and techno had been the right ending touches to the lineup
All hail the headliners after all, however we’re spoiled and are available to anticipate them an excessive amount of. What actually made Escapade Music Pageant stand out was by reserving acts like Tiga, Danny Tenaglia, Chris Lorenzo and Jack Beats, and placing them in the one indoor stage on the pageant. The room was akin to an airplane hangar, and after the solar went down, it completely evoked that warehouse rave vibe that we desperately crave at a pageant. On Sunday, among the largest names in trance took over with Aly & Fila, Markus Schulz, and Ferry Corsten capping all of it up.
Peak moments had been all of the buzzworthy b2bs
It’s most likely as a result of they’re uncommon or unplanned, however one thing in regards to the vitality emitted from a b2b is inimitable and hair elevating. We’re crowning ZedsDead and Jauz kings of the b2b at Escapade Music Pageant, with Tiga and Danny Tenaglia coming in an in depth second. Bass Jackers additionally carried out along with Breathe Carolina and Tchami performed alongside Malaa. Chris Lorenzo made an look with Jack Beats as did Felix Cartal with Frank Walker. What did we be taught? Guide as many b2bs as you possibly can and also you’ve bought your self a fuckin’ social gathering.
Afterparties in Ottawa? On a Sunday? Unparalleled…
Till now.
Saturday night time is one factor however we’ve by no means seen Ottawa go so late for a full weekend. Lineups snaked down the road exterior of official afterparty golf equipment for a lot of the weekend for what we really feel like was the primary time ever. We barely managed to get in to see Ferry Corsten and Markus Schulz, however we lastly did and had been rewarded with a sweatbox model afterparty and danced until the solar was nearly up (that’s the way you’re alleged to do it, duh). Escapade Pageant arguably reworked Ottawa into the social gathering capital of Canada for one weekend solely, and we’re okay with that.
The post-festival blues have already sunk in however Escapade Pageant returns in 2020 for spherical 11 up north. Watch this area for updates.
Photographs courtesy of Pink Company
