My ears are still ringing from the second annual Imagine Festival. The two day EDM festival was held at the Masquerade Music Park in downtown Atlanta with a solid lineup. Lil Jon was scheduled to perform but had to cancel due to health issues. Lil Jon was missed but there was no shortage of awesome music and pounding beats. The music was great and the festival was set up well too. I felt the sound at all of the stages was good and the sound from one stage did not interfere with the sound of the music at another stage. One of the best parts about attending music festivals is finding new music and I came across some new favorites. One of my new favorites is Mantis. Mantis originates from Atlanta and are currently touring across the U.S. This dubstep duo killed it with their heavy beats.
GRiZ had a great set and even brought out the saxophone for a couple of songs.
Next up on Saturday was Tipper with Android Jones. I was not very familiar with Tipper but someone recommended I check out Tipper’s show and I am so glad I did! The ambient, trip hop sound is really chill and goes well with the freaking amazing visual show that Android Jones put on. There was a screen with continuously changing images that looked like fractals that kept expanding into some new image. It was incredibly trippy. If you have the chance I highly recommend checking out a show where Tipper and Android Jones collaborate. I was blown away by Android Jones and am now a huge fan. Ending Saturday night was the Glitch Mob. They brought out The Blade, their live performance instrument. Martin Phillips created the installation, he is the guy that created Daft Punk’s pyramid. I thought The Blade was pretty cool. The set up is very industrial and futuristic. Playing The Blade brings The Glitch Mob right in front of the stage and closer to the crowd. The Blade gives an other worldly feel to The Glitch Mob’s performance.
Sunday brought The Crystal Method, which I was looking forward to all weekend. These guys are legends. The Crystal Method are one of the most influential musical groups for me and probably so for a lot of electronic musicians as well. I was absolutely giddy when they played some tracks from their first album, Vegas. But they did not just keep to the classics; the guys kept the music fresh with some funky beats and some hard dropping beats.
12th Planet rocked the crowd. The crowd was so hyped up that the security barrier almost came crashing down. Security had to come and reinforce the barrier so it did not collapse. I had somehow missed the boat on this dubstep god but am totally on board now and a huge fan. I also caught the after party where 12th Planet and Datsik battled it out. (That is my personal most favorite show of the entire festival) 12th Planet totally owned Imagine Fest and just killed it.
Best style goes to Chromeo. I am totally crushing on the guys of Chromeo especially P-Thugg (that guy has some serious style). Chromeo’s smooth style was a nice break after all the dubstep. I love dubstep but it the smooth stylings of Chromeo was a nice chill fun change of pace. Chromeo’s show was a lot of fun with lots and lots of confetti flying around. I expect nothing less from these two dudes though.
Datsik was another killer show at Imagine Festival. The crowd was incredibly amped for Datsik and rightfully so as he put on a hell of a show. Not only is Datsik a bad ass DJ but he has his own record label, Firepower Records.
Finishing out the festival was Dada Life. The epic was kicked out. Dada Life put on such a fun set. There was a pillow fight and giant bananas floating across the crowd. At the end of Dada Life’s set, Imagine Fest ended with fireworks. A good time was had by all and Imagine Festival did a great job this year. Really a great festival with great vibes and a great crowd.
Learn more about Imagine Festival here: WEBSITE
