Those who love thumping break beats and triple tongued beatboxing by experienced knob twirlers may want to head down to Vernon night club 2929 this month.
The EDM (electronic dance music) community is coming out in full force thanks to 13th Floor and Molson Canadian, which is presenting March Madness.
Four popular DJ/music producers will be headlining the respective four shows in five weeks, which promise to have people with their hands up in the air in frenzied dance.
“Molson has really gone the extra mile to give back to Vernon and has agreed to donate all sorts of swag to those who attend the shows,” said the shows’ promoter Josh Brazier, with 13th Floor.
Top prize is two tickets to see DJ Chromeo at a private Corona Snowtracks party at Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain.
“Molson as well as our local sponsors are a big part of the reason we can continue to hold these events and it’s great to see businesses like these supporting entertainment in Vernon,” said Brazier.
First up is Vancouver DJ Czech, who first started tearing things up in the Soul Kitchen night he created at a Whistler nightclub back in 1989.
His aptitude at breaks and turntablism soon became legendary in Vancouver, with residencies at all of the city’s hottest nightclubs. Now he primarily spins break beats with a touch of electro, but has been known to drop old-school 45 funk sets and pepper them with some down-home, mid-tempo funky breaks.
Those sounds seem to be working for him as he’s carted his records throughout Europe, North America and Asia and headlined alongside premier acts such as The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Parliament, Orbital, Crystal Method, Daft Punk, Carl Cox and countless world-renowned DJs, not to mention hip hop acts such as De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, Little John, Coolio, Bizmarkie and 2 Live Crew.
Headlining March 9 is fellow Vancouver DJ/producer/vocalist Nico Luminous, who has been exploding on the scene as of late.
With a sound described as “glitch-a-delic soul whomp,” Luminous also uses a custom effects pedal belt to live loop his beatboxing and vocals.
His show in Vernon is only one of two Canadian performances on his current winter tour. Before crossing the boarder, he will have performed in Hollywood, San Francisco, Denver, Maui, San Deigo, Boston, Arizona, Portland and New York.
“The fact that he’s decided to come to the Okanagan, especially Vernon, says a lot about the uprising in the local EDM music scene,” said Brazier. “Vernon’s JPod (the beat chef), the DJ that really started things off for 13th Floor during 2011 Jingle Bass, currently on a massive Australian tour, went as far as to post on the event page, ‘this is a kick-ass booking for Vernon!’”
Opening for DJ Czech Saturday will be Mode and Jakeda, while the March 9 show with Nico Luminous will also feature Kato and Molokaii, who will be releasing his new CD. Other events include the St. Patty’s Party March 16 with headliner Joseph Martin and March 30 has a set by Shambhala’s legendary resident artist Stickybuds.
Individual tickets and VIP passes for all four shows (19-plus) are available at Downtown Internet Lounge, Bean To Cup, Margherita’s Pizza and Dunas Skate Shop.
