11 Acts To Look Forward To At Digital Dreams 2014

With two days, four stages, and sixty-nine talented international and local artists, Digital Dreams is set to celebrate its third rendition in the biggest way possible. Upping the ante from last year, Electronic Nation Canada’s crown festival jewel has added innovative cashless RFID wristbands along with an additional stage that will appease trance heads one day, and house junkies the next. And while Tiësto returns to the Dreams Stage once again to close out the weekend, Digital went above and beyond in making this year’s line-up one of the most diverse that we've seen in a while. That's definitely not a bad thing, but it begs the question…who should you see? Here’s a list of 11 acts that may not be on your radar just yet, but that you should definitely be looking forward to. 11) Claude vonStroke – Saturday June 28 – Echo Beach Digital Dreams may not be a barbecue, but don’t count out Dirtybird label boss Claude vonStroke. Renowned for his Dirtybird BBQ parties, vonStroke is the perfect evening set for the shores of Echo Beach. This promises to be one of the bounciest, happiest, and most downright fun sets of the weekend, and you can bet I'll be there. 10) Destructo – Sunday June 29 – Echo Beach HARD founder Gary Richards, also known as Destructo, is synonymous with raucous festival sets. His unique track choice spans a diverse array of genres, reflecting Richards’ distinctive style and immersing the crowd into an impeccably eclectic journey. Destructo’s got a little something for everyone, so head over to Echo Beach if you’re looking for one hell of a fun time. 9) Andy C – Sunday June 29 – Andy C presents RAM (Bacardi House of Boom) Bass-heads rejoice, your king has come. Andy C, the boss behind RAM Records, makes his Digital Dreams debut with his own label stage. Considered by many to be a pioneer of drum and bass music, words can simply not describe the talent this man boasts on the decks. Renowned for his quick mixing and often employing the use of an extra turntable, the House of Boom will merely try and contain his powerful sound. Excision may be the headliner of this stage, but Andy C is the legend. 8) Art Department– Sunday June 29 – No. 19 Social Experiment What would this list be without some local talent? Toronto boys Kenny Glasgow and Jonny White get their own house stage this year, which will also boast the likes of Israeli-born Guy Gerber and Chicago house purveyor Green Velvet. If you’re thinking of stopping over at the No. 19 Social Experiment stage (also the Fantasy Land stage for Saturday), then do it for the hometown heroes. These guys are definitely worth your time. 7) Nicole Moudaber – Saturday June 28 – Echo Beach Imagine the set-up: You're at Echo Beach, with the sunset dipping behind the Toronto skyline, while the Queen of Techno puts on one of her trademark clinics of dirty tech. It doesn't get much better than that, right? A veteran of the Ibiza circuit, Moudaber has become a Toronto favourite with her affinity towards the city, a feeling she methodically reciprocates by sending dance floors into techno-drunk frenzies. 6) Fleming & Lawrence – Saturday June 28 – Fantasy Land The Fantasy Land stage set-up is beautiful, and Fleming and Lawrence’s set should provide the perfect oxymoron (and opener for Psymon). Not to say that their sets aren’t incredible, but they are mesmerizingly disgusting. Angry, aggressive, psychedelic trance is the name of the game here, and those brave enough to strap in better hold on tight. This one has “spiralling down a wormhole” written all over it. 5) Paul Oakenfold – Sunday June 29 – Dreams Stage A legend of a different magnitude, Paul Oakenfold’s expansive career speaks for itself. An icon in the industry for 30 years, and now a rarity in live performances, Oakenfold honours Toronto with a visit this weekend, and his brand of trance is perfect for some early evening ‘feels.’ Expect the two-time Grammy nominated icon to throw down a memorable summer set – as Oakenfold is one of the few legends remaining who truly transcend the genre. 4) Luciano – Sunday June 29 – Echo Beach Tiësto will no doubt get the recognition over on the Dreams Stage, but while beats rain down on the Main Stage faithful, Luciano will be sure to shower the more intimate Beach crowd with an emotional, atmospheric set. If you’re looking for a different way to end your night than radio songs and Red Lights, Luciano’s Rise of Angel would be an appropriately emotional conclusion to the weekend. 3) Eric Prydz – Sunday June 29 – Dreams Stage The master of real progressive house, Prydz hits Toronto this weekend for the first time since his masterpiece 3+ hour set at the Guvernment back in November. No other DJ provides the sheer mystery of what tracks he will play like Prydz does, with unreleased songs and IDs being the norm for any of his sets. And the lights… oh, the lights. If you’ve seen his Ultra set from this past year, you’ll know what I’m talking about. If not, watch it immediately (it's embedded below). I'll see you at the Dreams Stage. 2) Deep Dish – Saturday June 28 – Echo Beach Eight years is a long time to wait, but for fans who always hoped for an eventual return of Dubfire and Sharam’s collaboration – you’ve got your wish. Armed with a fresh new Essential Mix, and the debut of their groovy single Quincy, the two have reinvigorated their former project and Toronto is next in their crosshairs. If you like dark, dirty and crunchy techno, this is surely a no-brainer. Deep Dish continue their relentless rebirth by shutting down Echo Beach on Saturday, and you’ve got only one acceptable reason to not be there… 1) Justice – Saturday June 28 – Dreams Stage Without a doubt, this is THE reason this festival stands apart from all others. There shouldn’t even be any other acts playing at the same time. If you are going to Digital Dreams and don’t know Justice, do yourself a favour and get acquainted. Seriously, set aside some time and check out the set below. Nothing else needs to be said. This is going to be a spectacle to behold. Tell us, who will you be checking out at Digital Dreams this weekend? Sound off in the comments section below! And be sure to check out the official set times so you can plan accordingly.