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The Bay Area rave scene is a unique one, with a prominent presence of dance music that draws ravers from all over the region.

While artists often play in surrounding areas like Sacramento or San Jose, the occasional festivals that happen at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco serve as a magnet, bringing ravers from all parts of the Bay into the city.

Breakaway Festival hosts many festivals in various cities across the US, including Kansas City, Boston, and all the way to the beautiful Bay Area.

One thing that made this Breakaway Bay Area a bit different than the others is the use of an indoor venue versus the festival being held outdoors. Read below to hear about our experience: 

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Breakaway Bay Area

Vibes: B-

The crowd at Breakaway Bay Area is diverse in the sense that you have first-timers being introduced to the rave community, those who wandered in without knowing much about the music (this is more common than you think), and obviously the seasoned ravers. 

With Halloween so close there was no shortage of costumes and PLUR trinkets being handed around, which added to the fun positive energy throughout the two days. Everyone was friendly, and the staff made sure everyone was safe and hydrated. 

With it being such an easy environment to introduce people to raving, we did run into a lot of people who maybe went over their limits a bit. But the beauty of Bill Graham is there’s plenty of surrounding spaces to chill so it’s easy to get away from the chaos and sit while still enjoying the show. 

Production: B-

The production at Breakaway Bay Area was simple yet effective. The festival was never short on lasers, and there were the occasional CO2 blasts. Even without extravagant elements, the balanced approach to production didn’t detract from the overall experience.

The smaller second stage hosted by Brownies & Lemonade was situated in a small narrow area, so the production was what you’d expect for the size. The stage and LEDs definitely had the room heating up (it was very hot in there), but thankfully they had staff passing out free water throughout the night.

Other areas such as the Silent Disco stage presented by White Claw, the Celsius activation, and Beatbox pop-up really added to the “festival like” vibe, giving attendees a place to chill and interact while grabbing food or drinks. 

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Breakaway Bay Area

Music: A-

The lineup at Breakaway Bay Area was for sure a solid one. Bringing in headliners like Madeon, Alan Walker, Diesel, Nghtmre, and many more. Getting to hear the talent of vocalist Kaleena Zanders live was an exciting moment. 

We also had the chance to experience Diesel and the high energy of the crowd from an on-stage viewpoint which was crazy! Other big names like Peekaboo, What So Not, Moore Kismet, and Wuki delivered killer sets at the Brownies & Lemonade stage.

We found the lineup over the two days well curated and our desires for heavy bass as well as more melodic vibes were satisfied. Some of our favorite moments were during Peekaboo and Wuki‘s sets. The crowd was really engaged and with them playing in such an intimate space it brought back memories from some of our very first raves, a few of which happened to be at Bill Graham.

Venue: B

There’s a certain appeal of Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. As an indoor venue, it provides a welcoming and non-intimidating space for newcomers.

Utilizing the space to create more of that festival vibe presented its own set of advantages and challenges. The venue’s layout gives a very spacious main stage area, but when it comes to the smaller stages it’s less desirable.

There was a line set up to get into the Brownies and Lemonade stage due to the small occupancy size of the room, which did get lengthy at times.

Although we never waited longer than five minutes to get in, once inside it could feel pretty congested depending on who was playing, not to mention it was extremely hot in there. 

What we enjoy most about this particular venue though is all the auditorium seating, it’s so easy to go upstairs and chill without missing a set or sacrificing a good view.

Getting to and from the venue is also a big positive because it’s downtown and within walking distance of various forms of public transit.

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Breakaway Bay Area

Overall: B

All in all, Breakaway Bay Area offered a wonderful weekend of positive vibes and great music. It was a nostalgic moment getting to revisit the space that was home to our very first rave, and to experience it from such a different point of view.

We had great interactions with fellow attendees and all the staff were very helpful in making sure everyone had a good time and stayed safe.

For those seeking a more intimate festival experience close to home, Breakaway provided a well-rounded experience and we look forward to attending more of their festivals in the future. 

All images courtesy of Breakaway Festival.

The post Festival Report Card: Breakaway Bay Area 2023 appeared first on EDM Maniac.

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By: Dianna Baylor
Title: Festival Report Card: Breakaway Bay Area 2023
Sourced From: edmmaniac.com/festival-report-card-breakaway-bay-area-2023/
Published Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 19:02:24 +0000

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EDM

Three Upcoming Artists Who Are Pushing The Boundaries At AREA15

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Think of Vegas and you think of top-notch food, over-the-top drinks, and entertainment unlike any other. And for dance music lovers, Las Vegas truly is the mecca.

From dubstep to house to underground techno, Sin City has it all, you just need to know where to look.

But for just as many mainstream headliners that are plastered across billboards on the strip, AREA15 has its own buffet of innovative and creative performers ready to show just how versatile electronic music can be.

Here are three upcoming artists you should know that are pushing the boundaries at AREA15:

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J. Worra

This addictive house producer hails from Chicago but now lives in LA and combines the classic roots of house with the new-school creativity of the California music hub. Known best for her undeniable swagger and ability to get a crowd moving, J. Worra is a certified party starter.

Jamie Sitter (J. Worra’s real name) began her music career after she noticed the lack of female representation at a local music festival in her hometown and decided to join the scene ready to take over.

She told Gray Area, “I went to a festival early in my life and saw no women on the lineup at all. I had to give it my best to join this world and try and flip that. Now there are so many of us doing our best…When I started it was desolate for females but we’re seeing a big surge now. Men are paying more attention, and women are trying harder to help one another out.”

Now Sitter is an advocate for women in the scene as well as LGBTQ+ youth, a community she identifies with, and supports local charities and animal rescues.

Jessica Audiffred

One of the heaviest new bass artists to come on the scene, already being noticed by Bassrush and Lost Lands, is Mexican-born artist Jessica Audiffred.

Audiffred’s signature blend of bass and trap is a monster in the United States, but it was difficult to break through in Mexico.

She told Forbes, “When I was beginning to produce music, it was so hard for me because I didn’t have it anywhere. I didn’t have any spots for me to play my music here in Mexico City. It was hard for you to produce but then not showcase your own music. That’s why we had to create our own events and festivals, and that’s where we are right now.”

Breaking the mold and carving her name in the bass scene has already garnered Audiffred plenty of dedicated fans who appreciate her brand of authentic production both in her home of Mexico and right here in the States.

Now she’s joining giants like Excision on tour, selling out venues with Riot Ten, and releasing viral tracks that have the headbangers in a neck brace.

Ann Clue

Fans of Boris Brejcha and German techno should know the name Ann Clue.

A musician at heart, Clue’s balance of both the light and dark elements of German techno brings a pure and genuine underground sound that’s rare to hear outside of Europe.

Her passion for the underground goes even further, telling Dancing Astronaut, “I think it’s because Germans have a dark soul and history and we tend to compensate a lot in hidden spaces – where we can lose control and let go of all the darkness.”

She continued, “I think that’s what you feel with techno – especially the type that has its highest peak now. It’s dark, rough, fast-paced, hard, and chaotic. This underground culture shows the darkest side of our souls and nature, which needs to be embraced like the bright side, but we are often afraid to show it or let it come through. Humans often think they have to hide their dark side because it’s not so pretty. But the whole world is about Yin and Yang – the Yin (dark) side needs a lot more attention in order to let go of fear and anxiety. And to see the beauty in it. ”

This understanding of the true culture that makes dark sounds so intriguing makes for an immersive experience unlike any other.

Grab tickets to these industry-shaking performers’ shows at AREA15 here.

The post Three Upcoming Artists Who Are Pushing The Boundaries At AREA15 appeared first on EDM Maniac.

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By: Danielle Levy
Title: Three Upcoming Artists Who Are Pushing The Boundaries At AREA15
Sourced From: edmmaniac.com/artists-pushing-boundary-area15/
Published Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2023 20:32:33 +0000

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EDM

Corey James, Thomas Newson – ‘Sinister (Axwell Mi Amor Remode)’

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Just because Halloween is over that doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to the dark side. In this case, Axwell remodes Corey James & Thomas Newson‘s latest, ‘Sinister’. The track is nothing short of sexy and spooky. With heavy Latino influences and somber yet beautiful vocals. Axwell’s label Axtone released the track this past weekend after charming his sets throughout the Summer.

Remode

The base of the Remode is Mosimann & Antoine Delvig’s Mi Amor, a powerful record that released under Axtone in 2021. The newly added elements bring out the darker, mystical side of a love song. Adding sinister textures and lots of reverb that bring out a flowing element to the track. Moreover, the Swedish House Mafia member still allowed the song to carry an effortless and playful vibe, making it a hit on international dancefloors.

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Source: 1001Tracklists

The trio has been wrecking the Dance scene recently. On top of this massive release, Dutch DJ Thomas Newson earned Rank 33rd on 1001 Tracklists’ Top 101 Producers of 2022 and 2023. In addition, Axwell has been touring with Swedish House Mafia and releasing top hits like ‘Ray of Solar’. Ultimately, Corey James had a mindblowing hit with Steve Angello’s edit of ‘The Underground (House of God)’, climbing through Beatport Top 40.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 1001Tracklists.com (@1001tracklists)

The post Corey James, Thomas Newson – ‘Sinister (Axwell Mi Amor Remode)’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

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By: Jay Seabrook
Title: Corey James, Thomas Newson – ‘Sinister (Axwell Mi Amor Remode)’
Sourced From: www.edmtunes.com/2023/11/corey-james-thomas-newson-sinister-axwell-mi-amor-remode/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=corey-james-thomas-newson-sinister-axwell-mi-amor-remode
Published Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2023 12:49:38 +0000

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Apple Music Replay Drops Before Spotify Wrapped

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Apple Music Replay is back for another year, offering users a retrospective of their musical journey. Launched in 2019, the feature underwent a significant update last year, aligning it more closely with the popular Spotify Wrapped. This year’s Replay, accessible through Apple Music’s webpage, provides a comprehensive summary of your most-listened-to songs, artists, albums, and more. To kickstart the musical reflection, Apple has released Replay just days before Spotify is anticipated to unveil its Wrapped stats.

A Web-Centric Experience

Unlike Spotify Wrapped, which boasts highly shareable charts, A.M.R.’s stats lack the same visual appeal for online sharing. Interestingly, these statistics are not directly integrated into the Apple Music app. However, users can still access their 2023 Replay playlist within the app. The Replay feature not only showcases a delightful highlight reel of favorite songs and artists but also includes a milestone tracker, measuring accomplishments such as reaching the milestone of listening to 1,000 songs.

Navigating Your Replay

To view your Replay for the year, simply head to replay.music.apple.com and log in with your Apple ID. The platform provides an in-depth breakdown of your listening habits throughout the year. With Spotify Wrapped set to launch in early December, Apple seems keen on giving Replay a head start, ensuring users get a chance to explore their musical journey before being engulfed by the impending Wrapped stats, widely shared on social media platforms,

For more information, be sure to check out Apple Music’s official website, here.

[H/T] – The Verge

The post Apple Music Replay Drops Before Spotify Wrapped appeared first on EDMTunes.

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By: Matt Sierra
Title: Apple Music Replay Drops Before Spotify Wrapped
Sourced From: www.edmtunes.com/2023/11/apple-music-replay/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=apple-music-replay
Published Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 13:52:35 +0000

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