Top 12 DJs To See At Escapade Music Festival In Ottawa This Summer
Canada Day, for many of us anyway, is generally a great excuse to party hardy in honour of our Nation's birthday. More than anything, it offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the summer weather with your friends doing fun stuff. While the standard firework display is always pretty to look at, why not step up your patriotism this year and head over to Canada's capital city for easily the biggest and best way to celebrate.
The Heineken Escapade Music Festival is back June 27 & 28 to offer two complete days and three stages of pure EDM bliss. Hosting some of the biggest DJ's in the world since its inaugural event in 2010, the festival has grown to become one of Canada’s biggest and saw some 30,000 people attending last year. This year is set to be bigger and better than ever, with a brand new layout at the Rideau Carleton Raceway to offer more space, and based on the DJ's lined up to perform, the 6th edition of Escapade is seriously stacked.
1. Armin Van Buuren
You probably don't need me to tell you that Armin Van Buuren is HUGE! Ranked #1 DJ numerous times in the DJ Mag Top 100, holds the ‘Best Global DJ’ and ‘Best Trance Artist’ title awarded to him at the International Dance Music Awards and Beatport Awards respectively, and rocking a good 15 million listeners to his weekly A State of Trance radio show, the Dutch DJ definitely knows how to rock a crowd.
2. Knife Party
In just three short years, Knife Part's hard-hitting and unapologetic sound has quickly risen through the ranks of the EDM scene is now one of the biggest duos in the world. With a slew of Top Ten singles internationally, collaborations with the likes of Porter Robinson, Labrinth, Swedish House Mafia and Nero to name a few, and headlining festivals all around the globe, Ottawa won't know what hit it.
3. Carl Cox
One of the most prolific and celebrated DJ's in the world, Carl Cox is no stranger to the ultra festival scene and definitely knows how to get the crowd moving. Already achieving legendary status is Ibiza, as well as virtually pioneering the dance music genre, the British house and techno DJ will be part of the #HeinekenEscapade Extended set series, playing a 3 hour set at this year's Escapade.
4. Mark Knight
With a career spanning more than a decade, head of one of the biggest house labels in the world (Toolroom Records), and a solid reputation on both the digital market and dance floors across the globe, Mark Knight has firmly established himself as a heavyweight of the genre. A limitless passion for delivering his unique brand of EDM has garnered the Grammy-nominated DJ/producer a loyal following all over the world. Catch Mark Knight performing a 3-hour set as part of the #HeinekenEscapade Extended set series.
5. Markus Schulz
Named America’s No.1 DJ in 2012 by DJ Times and consistently ranking DJ Magazine’s list of the World’s Top 100 DJs every year since 2004, the unicorn slayer himself, Markus Schulz knows how to rock any and every stage he hits. The German-American DJ has developed his hybrid progressive, trance & house sound over the last 10 years, becoming one of the busiest international DJ's playing some of the largest festivals and events on the planet. Markus Schulz will spin a 3-hour set as part of the #HeinekenEscapade Extended set series.
6. Laidback Luke B2B YellowClaw
Having already collaborated with the biggest artists in the industry including David Guetta, Diplo, Lil Jon, Hardwell and Swedish House Mafia, as well as boasting remix credits ranging from Daft Punk, to Depeche Mode to Robin Thicke, and even Mariah Carey, Laidback Luke's technical skill and versatility have solidified his reputation as a superstar DJ. On top of his solo set, LBL will be performing a b2b set with Yellowclaw for the first time ever at Heineken Escapade 2015.
7. Blasterjaxx
Best described as a crossover between electro-house, progressive and big room, the duo that is Blasterjaxx is already finding much success and achieving huge milestones after co-producing the Reborn EP. Blasterjaxx is now seen as one of the most promising EDM acts in the world, finding huge support from none other than Tiësto himself, who asked them personally to remix his worldwide hit singles “Adagio for strings & “Love Comes again”, as well as a collaborating on the remix of “United”, the official anthem of Ultra Music Festival.
8. W&W
Willem van Hanegem & Ward van der Harst came together back in 2007 to form W&W and have become one of the most sought after DJ duos in the game. Infectious, progressive and highly energetic, W&W are king at fusing styles and mixing influences, combining the melodic elements of trance with the raw intensity of electro hard house to create a sound that's uniquely their own. With heavy support from the likes of Hardwell, Tiësto, David Guetta, and finding much commercial success after their chart topping remix of Armin van Buuren's 'This Is What It Feels Like' feat. Trevor Guthrie, W&W have earned their ranking as #14 in the DJ Mag Top 100, dominating dance floors and festivals the world over.
9. Jauz
At only 21-years old, LA-based and Icon Collective graduate, Jauz is quickly proving that he is a rising star to watch. Responsible for some of the most viral remixes of the year, Jauz has released addictive mid-tempo originals like “Feel the Volume” and remixes like “Hella Hoes” that have left crowds everywhere wanting more and have garnered him support from the likes of Zedd, Skrillex, Diplo.
10. BORGEOUS
Only launching his professional career in 2013 with hits like "From Cali With Love", "GANGSTEROUS", "Rags to Riches", it wouldn't be until a collaboration with Canadian electronic music duo DVBBS on "Tsunami" that BORGEOUS would really catch our attention with the single being played on Pete Tong's BBC Radio 1 show. Billboard magazine would go on to called it “the most played tune at Tomorrowland. You'll definitely want to keep an ear out for BORGEOUS' high-octane deep house sound.
11. John Digweed
One of the biggest DJ's to come out of the UK since the early 2000's, John Digweed has found great success over the years thanks to his legendary club nights, producing tracks for hit films like Trainspotting and Stark Raving Mad, and above all, his relentless devotion to the progressive house sound. Ranking in DJ Mag's Top 100 for over 15 years straight and hosting one of the most listened to dance music shows broadcast across 45 countries to a weekly audience of over 14 million, Digweed is not to be missed.
12. Chus + Ceballos
Pioneers and creators of the underground movement known as ‘Iberican Sound', Chus + Ceballos are probably the most solid, professional duo from Spain. With official remixes for world-renowned artists like Madonna and Shakira, and residencies at some of the best clubs around the globe, including our very own Stereo, their signature sound that blends a healthy dose of Techno music with the rhythmic, percussive groove of Tribal, has become unmistakable.
Check out the Heineken Escapade Music Festival Facebook Page and official website for more info and tickets.
https://vimeo.com/110906240
