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Best EDM Music Festivals in Canada

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Yes, turns out our sweet-natured northern cousins do know a thing or two about music festivals after all. From the land of moose and maple syrup comes some EDM magic to rock your world!

Escapade Music Festival (Ottawa, Ontario) – June

If an explosion of trance and techno strikes your fancy, this is the music festival for you. Watch the nation’s capital light up in a dazzling celebration of life, unfolding against the beautiful city landscape – a view matched only by the pure euphoria of being in the midst of it all. Since 2009, Escapade has established itself as a premier music festival and placed Ottawa on the map as a rave-enthusiast must-visit. With musical sensations like Markus Schulz, ZedsDead, and Chris Lorenzo taking the crowd by storm, you’re sure to lose track of time out there on the dance floor.

ileSoniq (Montreal, Quebec) – August

Informally crowned the EDM capital of Canada, Montreal can thank ileSoniq for securing its fanbase. Clearly an elite music festival in terms of both its star-studded line-up and complexity of décor, ileSoniq really offers a taste of what the future of EDM holds. Guess you have to see it to believe it. I mean hello, Marshmello, Bad Bunny, and Excision on the same stage? Sign me up!

Chasing Summer Music Festival (Calgary, Alberta) – August

As one of the coldest cities in the entire world, Calgary sure knows to savor the few months of sun it is granted. Therefore, it comes as no doubt that Chasing Summer Music Festival is fueled entirely by a genuine carpe-diem mentality that trickles into every element of this long-awaited event. Earning the title of Canada’s largest EDM festival in the West, Chasing Summer is committed to treating you to two days of unparalleled fun and festivity. And if the joy of finally sporting a natural tan doesn’t win you over, I’m certain that the jaw-dropping performances by The Chainsmokers, Slushii, and Alesso will!

MUTEK Montreal (Montreal, Quebec) – August

Calling tech-geeks and EDM lovers alike to Montreal this fall for the marriage of cutting-edge technology and quality music. Like a modern-day fairy godmother, MUTEK transforms the pride and joy of Quebec into a futuristic wonderland complete with elaborate stages and elegant sets. With the line-up regularly boasting up and coming artists like Akufen, Jlin and Gudrun Gut, even the hardest-to-please of ravers are sure to find new EDM idols to swoon over.

Bass Coast Music and Arts Festival (Merritt, British Columbia) – July

If you’re bored of big mainstream music festivals and would like something with a little more edge, Bass Coast Music and Arts Festival is the answer to your (musical) prayers! Since its inception in 2009, this festival has made the curation of a unique and diverse line-up its top priority. So prepare to be wowed by moving performances by trailblazers like Sticky Buds, Yheti, and Nightmare on Wax. Made for artists, by artists, you’ll feel right at home at this vibrant and inclusive homage to creative expression.  

Contact Winter Music Festival (Vancouver, British Columbia) – December

Witness the nation’s largest indoor stadium transmute into the littiest club you’ve ever had the honor of setting foot in, right before your very eyes. Complete with elaborate sets and backed up by high-production value, Contact is sure to have you cozy up to chilly Vancouver this winter! With a line-up boasting the world’s most beloved EDM powerhouses like Tiesto, San Holo, and Kaskade, this iconic music festival will have you losing contact with reality and wishing you could freeze time so as not to have to grapple with the withdrawal symptoms that will inevitably follow.

Shambhala Music Festival (Salmo River Ranch, British Columbia) – July

Voted ‘North America’s Best Festival’ by the readers of DJ Mag in 2019, Shambhala sure lives up to its reputation as a fan-favorite. Yes, I’m talking four days of party-rocking with six separate themed stages teeming with EDM goodness! Watch out for homegrown Canadian superstars like Black Tiger Sex Machine and Ekali, while you take a break from going gaga over international acts like Dion Timmer and Channel Tres. The best indie music festival to hit the shore this side of the Pacific, Shambhala will make you sham-holla at the Canadian EDM scene.

Igloofest (Montreal, Quebec) – January

You know what they say, when you can’t get to France, French Canada it is! But jokes aside, prepare yourself for a musical fiesta that stretches over twelve unforgettable nights this winter, because Igloofest is about to knock your socks off. Even bundled up in five warm layers to beat the Quebec chill, the jaw-dropping performances by powerful acts like Regular Fantasy, Lauer and Anjunabeats are certain to give you chills. And between sampling delightfully weird alcoholic concoctions at the ice-bar and killing it at the ‘Iglooswag’ snowsuit contest, you’ll forget that your teeth are chattering at all.

Veld Music Festival (Toronto, Ontario) – August

If you have any doubts about why the east coast is the best coast, let Veld Music Festival convince you once and for all. Drawing over 60, 000 ravers each year to its gorgeous venue in the heart of Toronto like moths to a magnificent flame, Veld has proven itself as the perfect amalgamation of hip-hop and electronic music time and time again. Let show-stopping performances by musical powerhouses like Illenium, Don Diablo and Marshmello cement your love for the genre and make a lifelong fan of both EDM and Toronto out of you, this fall. You’re in for a s-Veld time!

AIM Electronic Music Festival (Montreal, Quebec) – July       

With its mission to bring ‘Art, Innovation, and Movement’ to the next level embedded in its very name, AIM Electronic Music Festival remains one of the largest hubs of free-spirited yet immersive artistic showcases. Armed with a plethora of multi-media performances and as Canada’s only festival currently possessing the highly-coveted license to play music for over thirty-two consecutive hours, AIM is guaranteed to treat you to an unforgettable feast for the senses. Let the likes of Danny Tenaglia, Pig&Dan, and Getter leave you dazzled and star-struck, as is their aim.

Think it’s time to drop by Canada for a quick EDM fix, don’t you? Check Discotech for the latest festivals in Canada!

The Ultimate Festival Outfit Guide for EDM Newbies

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Headed to your first rave and wondering to yourself “What should I wear to my first EDM festival?” Well stop rummaging through your closet like a frantic raccoon and pick yourself off the heap of discarded clothes on the floor, because we’ve got your back! You see, getting glammed up for a rave doesn’t need to be difficult; it’s meant to enhance the experience, not dampen it. Here are some handy tips on bringing your A-game without breaking the bank.

1. Holo-Win

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EDM concerts are all about making a statement, so don’t be afraid to be seen. Stand out from the crowds like the shimmery god/goddess you are! Spruce up your favorite basic tee with a holographic pair of sweats that’s sure to turn heads as you break out your signature move. And girls, it’s time for your old ribbed rainbow top from 2007 to make a comeback – just make sure you pair it off with a bold silver mini-skirt or shorts. Think skater chic.

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Or, if you want to go for something a little more toned-down, add holo panels to a pair of old skinny jeans and opt for a sheer jacket that’ll make them pop. And you have nothing holo lying around, don’t sweat it – just pick up some funky aviators from the mall and you’re good to go. Consider holo-ing up with some shiny, silvery eyeshadow and lay on that highlighter real thick to make your cheekbones pop. Remember: the secret to a good holo look is having one statement-piece and working an outfit around it. So go holo this rave season, and have even Beyonce singing “I can see your holo, holo, holo…”

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2. Skin is In, Honey!

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Keep the layers to a minimum. It’s going to get hot and heavy in there, and you don’t want to be sporting ugly pit-stains on the dance floor now, do you? So ditch the heavy denim jacket you cling onto like a fashion safety blanket and opt for those booty shorts instead. Bare your midriff with a cute, strappy top or repurpose your bikinis by wearing them with trusty old fishnets. Crop tops are in, the baggy sweatshirt you stole from your boyfriend is out! If you’d like a little more coverage, then give your favorite skirt a makeover by throwing in some sultry slits for some of that peek-a-boo action.

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And guys, give that tank top you’ve only worn once to the beach another try! Paired with some funky denim cut-offs and your favorite snapback, it’s sure to keep you looking sharp. You don’t have to lose sight of your comfort zone entirely – just a few tweaks here and there, and you’re good to go. Throw on a loose silk button-down but leave all the buttons undone so you can rock that summer bod. When in doubt about what to wear to an EDM concert, do yourself a favour and skip the gym shorts for some distressed denim, so you can look as good as the TikTok routine you’re about to set the dance floor on fire with.

3. Colorful = Wonderful

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Shed your all-black gear for a fresh breath of color! Dodge the dull greys and neutrals for some bold neon instead. The bolder, the better; trust me. If you’re a self-proclaimed goth who dreads wearing anything bright, pick one colour and try a more monochrome look instead of going full-on rainbow.

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Lend a pop of color to your outfit with a pair of cheery, colorful boots, or hold your hair back with a vibrant bandana. When thinking of what to wear to an EDM concert, you’ve got to think a little out of the box. Customize an old tee for the event with some fabric paint, or try on some pastel prints to pack a punch out on the dance floor.

4. The Art of Accessorizing

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Not sure what your outfit is missing? Throw on a chunky gold chain and some funky shades to complete the look. Remember the kandi bracelets you’d trade with your friends back in elementary school? Well they’re back in style, so don’t be afraid to dig up your favorite beaded beauties and sport them proudly at the rave.

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Pack an oomph with some body chains to (literally) tie your outfit together and let your inner gladiator take the spotlight. And when in doubt, go for the body glitter. I promise you it’s your friend. Besides, accessories can be functional too – your old neon fanny pack will keep you from losing your phone and being stranded without your friends even after you’ve downed a few beers. Stick some craft-store gems on your strappy hydro-pack to dance the night away without having to worry about passing out from exhaustion and waking up confused in a puddle of someone else’s puke.

5. Go Big [So You Don’t Have to Go Home]

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At a rave, there’s no such thing as “too much”, so feel free to unleash the crazy side you have to keep under wraps when dressing for work. Go all out with your hair and make-up. Try recreating one of the bold looks you bookmarked on Insta but never thought you could pull off. It’s all about confidence, darling! Spend less time racking your brains about what to wear to an EDM concert, and more time using this opportunity to live out your childhood dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Your excitement should be reflected in your clothing, you should be drippin’ in it from head to toe. Think fun textures like leather, lace or silk.  

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If you want to stick glowsticks in your hair to make your own makeshift crown, then do it and never look back! If you feel like making your own DIY headgear or throwing on a feathery boa, just go for it! The last thing you want to look like at a rave is a snooze-fest, so really commit to whatever look you put together to truly own it.

Yep, you never have to sweat what to wear to an EDM concert again. So, what’re you waiting for? Start planning your next music festival studded summer right here!