Digital Dreams weekend outshines the rain

Saturday June 27 , Live Nation and INK Entertainment announced the cancellation of Day 1 of Digital Dreams. With disatourous wind shields, and pouring rain all day, the weather led the organizers to cancel the opening day of the festival ““to protect fans, artists and staff,”  Live Nation stated. Many fans were disappointed, as they missed headliners Arminn Van Burren, Porter Robinson, Dubfire, and Steve Angello across the three outdoor stages at The Flats at Ontario Place.

Though many ravers were disappointed by this decision, this did not stop the ravers from enjoying Day 2.

What seemed to be a digital disaster due to the cancelation of day one, and the conspicuous downpour of rain, Bud Light Digital Dreams was definitely able to make a great recovery. On June 28, Day 2 at Ontario Place was a success, even with opening door times set back two hours later than intended. It was well worth the wait for a fun and safe night for everyone in attendance. Headliners for the night consisted of Yellow Claw, Arty, Showtek, Sander Van Doorn, Adventure Club, Martin Garrix, and Zedd.

“A little rain never hurt nobody,” was definitely the mindset of all ravers in attendance for this event. While many were dressed in ponchos to cover up during the times it rained, it was smiles all around, filled with a community of ravers who were dancing and embracing this exciting EDM music festival. Yellow Claw, Arty and Showtek welcomed everyone in the start of the day with the elevating energy and beats that fans have been waiting for.

Sander Van Doorn was the perfect transition into nighttime with his contagious smile, and stage effects amplifying his joy as an animated version of himself; displayed across all large screens to get fans to head over towards the main stage. With a Bud Light drink in hand, surely everyone did end up making their way over to the main stage and dancing along to Sander Van Doorn hit mixes.

Next up, was the ever so handsome Canadian duo, Adventure Club.

And let’s just say WOW! To say the least; everything about their set created such an uplifting and unique experience.

With the use of captivating stage effects that enhanced the emotion of every different song, paired perfectly with the energy that both Christian Srigley and Leighton James create as a team, this set was definitely a highlight of the night. A full set of having fans bouncing up and down and drinks raised up high, they ended their set with their latest hit ‘Wonder’. Over all, Adventure Club definitely made a memorable impression on any fan that was seeing them live for the first time.

Over at the Echo Beach stage, which suited perfectly to ravers that preferred something different from the more mainstream vibe at the Dreams Stage, Pete Tong played an explosive set of house music. Although older than most of the DJs seen at the festival this year, Pete definitely knew how to get the crowd pumped and going wild. Techno duo Deep Dish closed the stage at Echo Beach shortly before Zedd and Martin Garrix took the Dreams Stage to finish off Digital Dreams for 2015.

Confetti, Confetti, and more Confetti! The very young and talented 19-year-old Martin Garrix was next to hit the Dream Stage. Fresh off his flight from Las Vegas, Garrix  did not disappoint! With so much energy on the stage, Garrix continuously jumped around with flames shooting everywhere and confetti during “Animals”. Garrix also played fan favourite “Virus( How about now) ” and practically everyone in the crowd screamed and jumped one last time before headliner Zedd took the stage.

Last but not least, the moment everyone was waiting for. The headliner of the night to bring Bud Light Digital Dreams to an end was the much-acclaimed Zedd. His set was on fire! Both literally and figuratively; Zedd took the Dreams stage to the next level. With the use of fire stage effects, almost every time the beat dropped, Zedd delivered a fiery performance, engaging his audience at every possible moment. All eyes on Zedd, and he felt the love, so much that he pulled out his personal cell phone on various occasions during his set to capture the audience. Playing all his hit singles including collaborations with other recognized and talented singer-songwriters such as Matthew Koma, Miriam Bryan, Jon Bellion, Foxes, Hayley Williams, and Selena Gomez, this was the perfect end to a Digital Dream come true.

Thank you Live Nation and INK Entertainment!

Photography and review by Melissa Campo and Lucas Wieckowski