5 must-see artists at Bud Light Dreams Festival

Bud Light Dreams Festival is coming up fast as Echo Beach will feature 3 stages and a whole host of artists for this 2-day festival. It's easy to recommend the festival headliners as a must-see act but this post is taking the hard road as it finds the gems in the lineup that you may not have thought of checking out. Some of these names are newer faces like Ekali, while others have been around the scene for a long time and deserve a bigger spotlight. While you're making your final personal set schedule amongst your friends, consider making room for these 5 fantastic artists below. 

Ekali (Friday, Echo Beach: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm)

Via FB

Ekali, a Vancouver based artist who has been making waves thanks to his strong productions and mixes that have been played millions of times on Soundcloud. Known for his future bass tunes, Ekali is currently much bigger in the States than in his own country as he's about to make his Eastern Canadian festival debut at Dreams. If you like your mixes to feature bass, future bass, and a bit of trap - seeing Ekali is a must. 

Anna Lunoe (Saturday, Echo Beach: 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm)

Photo by Jasmine Safaeian

Anna Lunoe is well known amongst electronic dance music connoisseurs but is quickly getting her name out there as one of the premiere live performers in the scene. Her performance at this year's Coachella was one of the highlights of the festival as she puts genres aside and mixes a multitude of different tracks into her sets. Expect a dynamic, fun, and light hearted set to kick off the evening portion of Saturday's festival lineup.

Orjan Nilsen (Saturday, Dream House: 5:20 pm - 6:35 pm)

Via FB

He is well known within the trance community and is a monster in the studio as he's been responsible for creating the most heart pounding trance records. He's been skirting at the edges of trance by pushing the boundaries between that sound and big room without it sounding trashy. Even though he's playing at an early time slot, I can guarantee that Orjan Nilsen will be giving fans a set worth coming in early for. 

DJ Hanzel (Saturday, Waterfront Stage: 7:55 pm - 9:00 pm)

Photo by Rukes

DJ Hanzel is Dillon Francis' techno meme alternative personality that somehow managed to snag a primo time slot at this year's Dreams Festival. I predict this set to be one of the more popular ones as curious fans will pack the waterfront stage just to see what "DJ Hanzel" will do. Will he pull a reverse Deadmau5 and try to troll the underground scene? Will Hanzel give the crowd a diva moment or two at any point during his set? Or will he simply smash the festival crowd with the hottest tracks? Who knows what will happen, and that's why you have to be there. 

Malaa (Saturday, Waterfront Stage: 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm)

Via FB

Ever since the mysterious French artist known as Malaa made his big festival debut at Ultra Miami back in 2016, the buzz has been full on. Fans have been looking for something fresh to experience since big room has taken a sudden downturn. Artists like Malaa have given these crowds exactly what they needed by showcasing the new wave of future house sounds. The new French wave of talent have taken that sound to new heights and has made Malaa a must-see at any festival as a result. Being given a headlining slot on the Waterfront Stage is a big honour, and Malaa is ready to deliver.

For all information regarding Bud Light Dreams Festival including set times, afterparties, and ticket information - click here. 

Dzeko talks about his new solo career, latest track, and his VIP living room experience at Dreams Festival (Interview)

Dzeko, formerly of the Toronto duo Dzeko & Torres, is quickly establishing a name for himself in his new solo career. With Tiesto as a mentor, this Canadian artist has maintained a strong Las Vegas presence with regular sets at the hottest clubs like Hakkasan and Wet Republic. This weekend at Dreams, in association with Bud Light, Dzeko will be hosting a special VIP area that includes a "live like a headliner" experience. In this interview Dzeko talks about his future creative path as a solo artist, what he's up to at Dreams, and more. 

EDM Canada: “California” is a huge track – how did it come about?

Dzeko: I started working on a remix in LA, but that remix never was released. We liked the instrumentals of the track so much that we had to get lyrics for it. We reached out to Delay Jane and Shaun Frank who helped with the lyrics for the song. We played it for Tiesto and the song came alive from there.  He loved it so much and ended up signing it to his label. 

Does “California” represent a new artistic direction for you?

Not a change in a direction, but this is one of the many styles of music that you’ll be seeing from me in the future

Will we see more chillwave tracks like “California” or “Liberty” from Dzeko?

Yes, I am planning to put out similar tracks – watch  out for more in September. 

It's been about 9 months since your split with Torres – does this new solo direction feel like a fresh start for you?

It is, and it isn’t. I came from a duo, so starting out a new act on my own feels like I’m starting from the bottom again. I have to work harder now that it’s just my name.

You have a huge presence in Las Vegas, do you owe a lot of that success to Tiesto?

Of course – I have always wanted to DJ in Vegas and after becoming friends with Tiesto, he has helped me build my name there and I am so grateful.

You're doing something special for Dreams Festival with Bud Light – what's happening?

Yes – I am giving music fans the chance to live like a headliner at my Bud Light Living Room at Dreams Festival. As someone who travels around the world and performs at some of the world’s largest festivals, I’m taking music lovers behind the scenes with an all access experience that’s once-in-a-lifetime.

Music fans can still attend – there are just a few spots left! Book your spot at Budlightliving.ca

What's next for Dzeko? Any new releases that you can reveal?

I have a lot on the go - some new tracks, a brand new EP and even a collaboration with Tiesto is coming soon. I am so excited for what’s to come in 2017.

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Dzeko will be hosting a special "live like a headliner" VIP package on Friday and Saturday at Bud Light Dreams Festival. The package includes VIP transportation, an opportunity to chill with Dzeko, elevated lounge seating overlooking the main stage, and transportation + special space for the Dreams Afterparty. Limited tickets are available, click here for more information.

For set times, afterparty information, and everything else Bud Light Dreams Festival related - click here.

What to do this weekend (July 7th - 9th)

If you want to keep track with what's going on electronic dance music wise in your city, especially with FVDED in the Park in Surrey, RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa, and Bud Light Dreams Festival in Toronto this weekend. Just click below and start planning!

Hottest tracks of the week (June 26th - July 2nd)

This list is for the fan on the go who wants to listen to the hottest tracks from the past 7 days, all in one place. All of these tracks were selected by top DJs, radio shows. and EDM Canada.

Happy birthday Canada!

On behalf of EDM Canada, I wish Canada a very happy 150th birthday. We have a lot to be proud about as a country as we are home to a host of extremely talented DJs, producers, musicians, and artists. Electronic dance music is in a good place thanks to the thousand upon thousands of devoted fans that attend festivals and club shows all across the country. Here's hoping for the good times to continue - happy birthday Canada! 

- David Mann (Founder & operator of EDM Canada)