Like most of you know, I'm currently in Europe and I won't be able to attend this year's Bal en Blanc. I've checked the prices for plane tickets, but all of them were over my poor little student budget of, well, not much. This doesn't mean I didn't check the lineup and let me tell you, you guys going to BeB this year are going to have fun! Whether you prefer house music or trance, Playground Productions has made sure you’re going to enjoy your night.
Be sure to come back to the blog in the days following Bal en Blanc for some extensive coverage from the event. Until then, Happy Easter and have a great Bal en Blanc!
Experience and subgenre and two aspects that are subject to extreme variety in this year’s main room. From the age difference between, Stef Agostino and Dubfire to the genre difference between Calvin Harris and Nicole Moudaber, this year’s mainstage has a wide array of styles covered.
20.00 – 22.00 Stef Agostino
Styles: House, Progressive, Electro House, Progressive House
One track he’ll most definitely play: Stef Agostino – Galaxcity (Original Mix)
Fun Fact: Sultan insists on cutting Ned’s hair. He later uses the clippings to elongate his dreads.
Booking Grade: B+
Their set at BeB 17 still in our minds, the dynamic duo from Montreal is back for another of what is sure to be a memorable performance. Great job by Playground, slating Sultan & Ned Shepard’s true progressive house sound between a housier opener and the king of commercial house.
01.00 – 03.00 David Guetta
Styles: Pop, Electro, Progressive House
One track he’ll most definitely play: David Guetta – Play Hard ft. Ne-Yo & Akon (Albert Neve Remix)
Fun Fact: Now that the dust has settled from the incessant “Harlem Shake” videos, Guetta has begun to use the song in his sets…
Booking Grade: A+
Back off haters. Say what you will about David Guetta (trust me, I agree), the man is the most recognizable name in dance music, maybe even today’s music in general. Bal en Blanc consistently being the largest dance music event Canada has had to offer for the past 18 years, it seems fitting he should be in attendance.
03.00 – 04.30 Calvin Harris
Styles: Synthpop, Electro, Progressive House
One track he’ll most definitely play: Calvin Harris & Example vs Sandro Silva & Quintino – We’ll Be Coming Epic
Fun Fact: He once hooked up with Ke$ha. I think that’s hilarious, Scottish stereotypes and all.
Booking Grade: A
Not that it’s necessarily a good nothing, but Harris’ level of success is slowly creeping up on Guetta’s. His radio-friendly tracks have enamored people the world over, while he still keeps a toe in the underground pool through his eclectic sets and his label, Fly Eye Records. Again, admirable time slotting by Playground as the Scotsman seems to be a solid buffer between his predecessor and the techier part of the night.
04.30 – 06.30 Peter Rauhofer
Styles: Progressive House
One track he’ll most definitely play: Swedish House Mafia – Don’t You Worry Child (Rauhofer Big Room Anthem Mix)
Fun Fact: Back he was known as Club 69, he released an album entitled “Let me Be Your Underwear.” He also runs a label called Star 69.
Booking Grade: B-
I really don’t know much about Peter Rauhofer, but having taken a listen to the tracks on his SoundCloud page, I can safely assume that he’s one of those DJs who frustrates mainstream EDM lovers with slight variations of popular anthems. He teases with vocals from the original, builds-up, builds-up some more, than drops some horrible brostep-electro-pop rework. I hope you prove me wrong Peter!
06.30 – 08.45 Nicole Moudaber
Styles: Techno, House, Tech House
One track she’ll most definitely play: Nicole Moudaber & Victor Calderone – The Journey Begins (Original Mix)
Fun Fact: Same as Sultan and Ned Shepard, but with Carl Cox.
Booking Grade: A
Not being much of a techno fan, I don’t know much about Nicole Moudaber either, but I get the distinct feeling that I’ll be crucified should I write anything even remotely passive aggressive with regards to her. So instead, I’m just going to remind everyone that her rapid ascension into the upper echelon of her genre is supremely impressive, her recent set at Stereo is one of the most beloved in recent memory and Montreal has accepted her as it’s Queen of techno. More than enough validation for me.
08.45 – 09.15 SHADED
Styles: Techno, Minimal
One track he’ll most definitely play: Shaded – Love Bug (Original Mix)
Fun Fact: He continues to advance his career as Shaded, despite the enormous popularity of his alter-ego, Richie Hawtin.
Booking Grade: A+
More techno, more cluelessness from moi. Here’s what I know: his real name is Skyler Taugher, he’s a good surfer, he’s an exciting member of Dubfire’s Sci-Tec and Playground was smart in placing an artist who favors minimal between sultry, tough techno and the aforementioned Dubfire.
09.15 – 12.00 Dubfire
Styles: Techno, House, Tech House, Minimal
One track he’ll most definitely play: Dubfire – Octvs (Original Mix)
Fun Fact: Dubfire was once denied access to a “trendy” club in South Beach where Deep Dish was supposed to perform. He was not on the list, thus coining the term “Dubfired.”
Having performed at Bal en Blanc in the past as a member of Deep Dish, Dubfire should feel right at home. Slotted in the last performance of the show, the crowd at his stage should be comprised mainly of extremely knowledgeable diehards, which I’m pretty sure would sit well with any artist. Great find for the last of Bal en Blanc.
Before we part ways, make sure you brush up on the following tracks as they’re certain to get multiple plays come Sunday.
Once again, this year’s trance room is filled to the brim with the international titans of the genre, as well as popular locals and extremely promising up and comers.
21.00 – 22.00 Mike McCarthy
Styles: Trance
One track he’ll most definitely play: Meridian – Pressure (Solid Stone Remix)
Fun Fact: He’s a fan of the Washington Redskins.
Booking Grade: B-
I’ve seen Mike play at BeachClub and at the Imperial Room, and I was pleasantly surprised both times. One of the sets was opener; the other a closer, so I can attest to his understanding of set construction based on a specific time slot. He seems quite deserving of a spot at this year’s charade, so I suppose my hat goes off to Playground.
22.00 – 00.00 Project Offset
Styles: Trance, Progressive House
One track they’ll most definitely play: Ummet Ozcan – Here & Now (Original Mix)
Van & Nick have been Offset for nearly as long as they’ve been best friends. During that time, they’ve managed to secure a residency at Circus, they’ve built memorable sets (such as their Odyssey 2013 performance) and they’ve christened friend of the blog Rob Naylor’s new track with it’s first club play. Needless to say, these guys are two of our favorite locals.
00.00 – 02.00 Cosmic Gate w/ special guest Emma Hewitt
Styles: Trance
One track they’ll most definitely play: Cosmic Gate & Cary Brothers vs Porter Robinson & Mat Zo – Wake Your Mind Easy (first 4 minutes of the recording below)
Cosmic Gate will go down as one of the best duos in electronic music history. Joining them this year is Emma Hewitt, who is pretty easy on the eyes. That’s taking audio visuals to a whole other level, well done Playground.
02.00 – 05.00 Armin van Buuren
Styles: Trance
One track he’ll most definitely play: Armin van Buuren – This Is What it Feels Like ft. Trevor Guthrie (W&W Remix)
Fun Fact: He studied law in University.
Booking Grade: A+
Do I really need to explain why it’s a good thing that Playground booked Armin van Buuren? The world’s number 1 DJ holds that position for a reason.
05.00 – 08.00 New World Punx, or Markus Schulz b2b Ferry Corsten
Styles: Trance
One track they’ll most definitely play: Markus Schulz & Ferry Corsten – Stella (Original Mix)
Fun Fact: NWP is also New World Pasta, my all-time favorite pasta maker.
Booking Grade: A+
Justin’s Bal en Blanc 19 Spotlight artist: New World Punx
I’ve heard of producers coming up with new artist names to designate a collaborative partnership, but never have I seen DJs do the same for live performances.
New World Punx. Honestly, I hate the cutesy ‘x’ they replaced the proper plural of ‘punks’ with. Grammatical mischief aside, this alliance is one of grandeur. Both of these men having been part of Bal en Blanc for the past few years, Ferry Corsten and Markus Schulz know exactly how to entrance Montrealers. Individually, they are both beasts behind the decks and I can only imagine what kind of originality will emerge when the subtle difference in their styles intertwine in their back to back set.
08.00 – 10.00 W&W
Styles: Trance
One track they’ll most definitely play: Zedd ft. Foxes – Clarity (W&W Bootleg)
Fun Fact: If you listen to “The Code” backwards, you can hear AC/DC reciting the Lord’s Prayer.
Booking Grade: A
Fred’s Bal en Blanc 19 Spotlight Artist: W&W
For you trance music lovers, ravers, and all of that good stuff, the trance room this year will be quite entertaining. There is one thing that I don’t like and that I have to admit: the set list is extremely similar to last year’s and I’m a guy who loves hearing new artists every year, so it would’ve been a little disappointing for me, but hey, last year’s set list was nuts, so it’s not too bad. The only great addition this year is, in my opinion, W&W. Never mind the hate that their Mexico set received during the early stages of ASOT 600. I promise this will be a million times better live. Make sure you DO NOT miss their set, everyone I know that has seen them live told me they were fucking amazing.
10.00 – 12.00 Andrew Rayel
Styles: Trance
One track he’ll most definitely play: Markus Schulz & Armin van Buuren – The Expedition (Andrew Rayel Remix)
Fun Fact: Ferry Corsten called him the best DJ from Moldova. Name another DJ from Moldova.
Booking Grade: A
Nikhil’s Bal en Blanc 19 Spotlight Artist: Andrew Rayel
I must say, when the lineup for the trance room was released months ago, I was filled with excitement, and in all honesty, who wouldn’t? For God sakes, when you put AvB, W&W (debatable amongst pure trance aficionados), Cosmic Gate, Markus Schulz with Ferry Corsten, and Andrew Rayel in the same room, there is something for everyone.
Personally, if I was to show up, shall we just say that I would be getting a good night sleep, for Andrew Rayel is getting on at 10:00 in the morning. Another option would be to pop a molly; let’s go with that, bring on the sweat, and pure ecstasy. With all the noise he has made this year, as well as the anthemic tonality of his releases, I can hardly imagine how awe-inspiring it would be in such a large room, surrounded by people who share the same love for music (the tickets are expensive for a reason; in other words, trance lovers only). Did I say I was going to show up? How late is fashionably late? Ten o’clock it is!
Before we part ways, make sure you brush up on the following tracks as they’re certain to get multiple plays come Sunday.
TheHawt is a music blog started in the summer of 2009 with the objective of sharing knowledge about music, promoting events, promoting artists and most importantly, having fun!
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