Following an epic celebration during Toronto’s civic holiday weekend, featuring unforgettable performances from Robert Babicz, Green Velvet, Art Department, and others, there’s still one more Electric Island party on the horizon. Embrace, Platform, Footwork, and their dedicated team have been diligently working over the winter months to curate an incredible summer of dance music, culminating in four perfect days on the island.
Upon entering the gates for the early August festivities, we were welcomed by a crowd that was already electrified by the outstanding lineup of local talent, including Koki, Mike Gibbs, and The Junkies. DJ Three was already on the turntables, steering the day with uplifting, euphoric beats that perfectly matched the afternoon atmosphere. Not long after, Shiba San took the stage, delivering his signature Dirtybird flair and spinning crowd favorites, including last summer’s hit ‘OKAY’.
As night began to fall and the dance floor came alive, Robert Babicz took command of the decks, delivering a truly mesmerizing set, unlike any before. He showcased a remarkable live performance, blending his iconic acid tracks with gentle, melodic vocal pieces that momentarily paused time, arguably creating one of the best sets in Electric Island’s history. His performance featured hits like Rennie Foster’s ‘Devil’s Water’ and Jamie Stevens‘s remix of his own track ‘Sea of Colours’. We eagerly anticipate the next visit from the German titan.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Green Velvet and Art Department energized the crowd. As expected, the Chicago icon played his usual hits, including a thrilling mashup of his ‘Shake & Pop’ alongside Kink’s ‘Cloud Generator’. Art Department surprised us with a distinctive set. The innovative blend of refreshing Latin percussive elements and various eclectic sounds made their performance one of the day’s highlights.
Though bidding farewell is never easy, knowing another incredible lineup awaits us for Labour Day weekend makes the thought of an eight-month break from Electric Island a little more bearable.
The finale will kick off with talented local artists Members Only, Terrence Kissner, Jamie Kidd from Box of Kittens, and Nitin, part of the powerhouse label No 19. We’re excited to see what Nitin will bring following Jamie Kidd’s magical performance—expect an early arrival at the island for this lineup.
While Tale of Us won’t be gracing us this time, we’ll be treated to the thrilling inclusion of the promising duo Frank & Tony. With their notable releases under the Brooklyn label Scissor & Thread, this pair has the potential to expand the musical horizons of the typical Toronto crowd.
The long-awaited debut of Recondite is sure to be a highlight, and we hope he’ll perform with his live setup. With exceptional releases from the Berlin artist on Innervisions, Hotflush, Life & Death, and many others, we’re set for an experience that will blend heat and euphoria.
As the evening deepens, we’ve noticed a trend toward more percussion, and who better than the enchanting Loco Dice to fulfill that role? With an impressive history of venues and an incredible fusion of techno and house, we’re excited for him to bring his unique sound to Toronto, emphasizing how to properly execute tech house. After leaving audiences craving more following his set at Movement festival in Detroit, anticipation for his return is palpable.
The evening’s headliner hardly needs introduction. The techno legend and Drumcode label founder has carved out an immense reputation that allows him to headline festivals worldwide. His previous visit sold out at the city’s beloved afterhours venue, Coda, where he impressed with a diverse set that included underground classics and even a trance track or two. Adam Beyer is making his long-awaited return, and after a year and a half of hard work, we can expect an outstanding night of powerful techno to close out an incredible event.
A big shoutout to the entire Electric Island family—we eagerly await what next year has in store for us.
