FVDED In The Park‘s cancellation in 2023 dealt a significant blow to Metro Vancouver’s struggling music scene. One yr later, Holland Park within the neighboring metropolis of Surrey hosted a celebration of life, not a funeral, for the summer time music competition.
FVDED went all-in on digital dance music this yr, phasing out its 50-50 hip-hop cut up to accommodate an elite lineup of DJs. It appears omitting world-renowned rappers like Future, Jack Harlow, G-Eazy and Younger Thug freed house to construct an excellent EDM lineup. It was legitimately stunning to see a roster as deep as Swedish Home Mafia, Kx5 (deadmau5 and Kaskade), Chase & Standing, Chris Lake, Dom Dolla, Gryffin, John Summit, SLANDER and Zeds Useless on a two-day, three-stage poster.
Holland Park was pulsing with electrifying beats from 2-11pm on July fifth and sixth. Two of the weekend’s show-stealers, nevertheless, have been Deathpact and EDM.com Class of 2022 celebrity ISOxo.
Deathpact—whichever member of the mysterious collective was current—wouldn’t be overshadowed by trade giants on the lineup. Range is likely one of the issues I most look ahead to at a significant music competition and Deathpact whipped up the proper components. Their efficiency seamlessly sourced a large breadth of sounds, together with a spotlight DMX remix, and encapsulated them throughout the experimental bass music that followers count on. There was by no means a boring second throughout the hour-plus set, particularly the shock b2b with Dr. Fresch and Jon Casey.
I arrived on the Northwest Stage midway by means of ISOxo’s set. I politely apologized my method by means of the group, fanning and misting sweaty festival-goers as an emblem of peace, to movie a brief video from an appropriate sightline.
The vitality permeating between ISOxo and the viewers was palpable. The temporary minutes I spent within the crowd’s core have been splendidly overwhelming. I weaved my method out of the tent and located my two pals patiently ready to regroup with others. I took their backpacks, wore them like a swimsuit of clear armor adorned with trinkets and playthings, and despatched them into the storm to expertise it firsthand.
Talking of the group, I am pleased to report that FVDED’s notoriously tough clientele was absent from this yr’s present. I’ve by no means attended prior iterations at Holland Park however was repeatedly warned about poor fan etiquette. It’s potential the omission of rap music welcomed a bigger share of festival-goers who train the live performance etiquette usually related to ravers.
I skilled a couple of unsavory encounters however individuals have been typically well mannered. I had many nice interactions, together with with a number of first-time ravers who have been very enthusiastic in regards to the weekend.
Cell service was scarce as soon as the competition was populated with roughly 24,000 individuals, in keeping with Surrey Now-Chief, every day—apart from Freedom cell customers who skilled a uncommon victory—however that’s not the fault of organizers. It was tough reconnecting with pals who had peeled off from the group however that was remedied on Day 2 as soon as we have been acclimated and assembly factors have been established. In addition to, there’s loads of enjoyable available in solo adventures.
The whole lot else ran easily: traces have been comparatively brief, meals vehicles have been considerable and loos and water stations have been enough. The forest space supplied ample shade, hammocks and fairy lights for excellent photograph ops. The addition of 1 or two water stations to assist restrict congestion on the most handy places would’ve been prudent and, if potential, extra shade close to the mainstage.
FVDED within the Park was a smashing success. The competition was on the opposite aspect of loss of life’s door final yr, however kicked it off its hinges and roared to life in 2024. The occasion reportedly bought out its 48,000 capability, an encouraging signal for Western Canada’s music scene as British Columbia can lastly level to a set of festivals that may stand as much as Jap Canada’s juggernauts.
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