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This year, Insomniac presented their very first rave on a cruise ship: EDSea. This four-night floating festival exceeded our expectations and was truly one for the books.

Themed EDC performers were found roaming the ship (and the Bahamas) at all times, and the vibes were off the chart. The production was outstanding both on the ship and when we docked in the Bahamas for a private concert. Read below to hear more about EDM Maniac’s experience. 

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Vibes: A

The vibes at EDSea brought out the best parts of EDC culture, with people of all ages encouraging everyone to dance with each other.

Each theme night allowed for the highest level of creativity. From a sea of lifeguards for Baewatch day, to a boat full of swashbucklers on Pirate Night, the costumes were in full force.

Ground control, Sixthman, and medic teams were all in attendance and very proactive to anyone who needed any extra assistance. The hardworking staff of the Norwegian also took in festival goers with open arms.

There was even “Mr. Washy Washy”, a staff member who would sing and remind people to wash their hands at the Garden Cafe buffet each day.

Festival goers also had the opportunity to hang out with their favorite artists and participate in activities, such as a go-kart tournament and a tequila tasting which provided a unique, intimate vibe, as the artists were all stoked to mingle and interact with fans. 

Production: A-

For an inaugural sailing, the production at EDSea was out of this world. The Kinetic Ocean stage had a full LED panel and giant EDC owl guardians with tritons on either side.

While the music was bumping, there was an array of lasers that would shine bright as far as the eye could see. Some of the sets also had small fireworks and of course, CO2 cannons.

The entire ship was utilized, and many of the restaurants were turned into stages. Notably, hearing the DJ at Emo Nite telling the crowd to open up the steak house (in place of moshpit) was a funny testament to the utilization of resources on the ship.

There were a few delays with setting up the stages, which caused a few schedule changes, such as Cosmic Coral not being completely built until Tuesday.  However, for a first-time setup, these delays were expected.

The production at Nassau, Bahamas was unreal and the Nassau theater was turned into a private EDSea party just for EDSea cruisers. There were private food trucks, free water, and local Bahamian drinks available.

The set up of the island party was top-tier quality, with themed characters dancing around the crowd and two aerial artists who were magnificent to watch.

We were bummed that the Great Stirrup Cay party got canceled, as we heard there was full production built there as well, but the water was too dangerous to dock to make it to the island party safely.

Overall, we were very impressed with the production we did see.  

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Music: A-

The music was fantastic on this ship, with artists bringing their A-game. From dubstep to hardstyle to drum & bass and house sets, there was music for everyone on the ship.

Being on a ship for four days allowed artists to perform multiple sets and even multiple styles of music. We all know the battle of set conflicts, so having artists play multiple times throughout the journey was great.  

Wooli played a house set under his Stumpi alias which got the crowd moving even on the last day of sailing. The Mainstage,  Kinetic Ocean had some heavy hitters each night with sets from EDM legends such as Benny Benassi, Louis the Child, DJ Snake, Slander, and more.

If you were feeling house music, we saw some incredible sets by Will Clarke, Cloonee, and CID. If you were thinking of techno, Sara Landry absolutely killed her set, and Slander played as their techno alias “Before Dawn” for a “5:30am-???” set that kept us there until well past the sunrise.

There were a few sets that were placed on stages that were too small for their draw, which caused a bit of overcrowding and issues getting into the stage areas (such as BTSM on the Nest stage). By the next day, these acts were scheduled on bigger stages, which helped alleviate the crowding.

The music quality was loud and clear and there was no sound bleed from stage to stage. The only “sound bleed” was if you were in a cabin above or below one of the decks with a stage, you could hear the thumping bass from the sets.

But, this made you feel you weren’t missing out on a set if you had to go back and change or hang in your cabin.

Venue: B+

The Norwegian Joy cruise ship was beautiful and made us question how something of this size could even float. First entering the ship, EDC decorations, characters, and decor were everywhere making us feel at home away from home.

There were complimentary restaurants, buffets, and paid steakhouses for guests and artists to enjoy. The staterooms also each came equipped with room service while music was being played.

We did experience longer wait times for elevators during peak festival hours and opted to use the stairs at some points, but being able to walk from your room straight to a set in five minutes or less was glorious.

The stages themselves were spread out all throughout the ship and had different takeovers each day, such as Bassrush and Basscon.

The Nassau amphitheater venue was unreal. A five-minute walk off the cruise ship into the amphitheater was amazing and the venue itself was right on the waters of Nassau, Bahamas. There’s nothing better than a venue right on the water next to a floating rave cruise ship.

We were disappointed that the Great Stirrup Cay island party was canceled, as there were reports of a full stage/production being built that we didn’t get to see. We were also sad since the beverage package included drinks at Great Stirrup Cay, but did not onshore in Nassau.

However, the day at sea in place of Great Stirrup Cay was full of only positive energy. We know attendees were disappointed, but we really saw PLUR take over and keep the vibes going. Overall for its first inaugural sailing, the hiccups were minor in comparison to the positives. 

Demian Becerra for Insomniac Events 10 scaled

Overall: A-

Insomniac’s debut of their cruise ship festival was incredible. EDSea was a four-night Caribbean cruise that offered music from some of our favorite DJs along with specialty dining, bars, lounges, spa and slide pools, and interactive activities.

The vibes were off the chart. Everyone who was on the cruise was there for their love of raving and dance music. There was truly no one there who seemed like they were having a bad time or seemed like they were just there to take a photo or post on social media. 

With this being Insomniac’s first time hosting a festival on a cruise ship, there were bound to be some issues. But, we were impressed by how quickly and efficiently the Insomniac team responded to any difficulties.

It was a bummer attendees did not get a chance to go to Great Stirrup Cay, but Insomniac made sure to have a full day at sea packed with artists and activities to keep everyone busy. 

Featured images from Demian Becerra and Adi Adinayev for Insomniac

Additional contributions from Maddie Whelan

The post Report Card: EDSea 2023 appeared first on EDM Maniac.

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By: Melissa Mubaraki
Title: Report Card: EDSea 2023
Sourced From: edmmaniac.com/festival-report-card-edsea-2023/
Published Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 22:04:16 +0000

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Teamworx and Yam Refaeli Join Forces on Heartfelt Single ‘Until We’re Falling Down’

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In a remarkable fusion of creativity and technology, a collaborative initiative has emerged, bringing together five individuals from diverse artistic backgrounds to create a poignant musical experience. The team includes the dynamic DJ duo and producers, Teamworx (Ben Azoulay and Saar Lagziel), the renowned singer/songwriter Yam Rafaeli (X-Factor Israel finalist), and the visionary project leaders, Tamir Yeshayahu and Idan Shakorka.

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Their journey took a unique and exciting turn as they delved into the creation of a song that transcends conventional boundaries. Leveraging the power of AI video technology, they artfully reconstructed the events of a tragic massacre, weaving together a narrative that seeks to leave a lasting impact.

The accompanying video is not for the faint-hearted, as the combination of evocative visuals and a compelling storyline ensures that no eye remains dry. The creators acknowledge that not everyone may be able to watch the entire clip due to its emotional intensity.

The genesis of the song lies in heartfelt conversations with survivors and extensive research across various networks. The lyrics encapsulate a range of emotions, from profound sadness and anger to a resilient hope that authentically reflects the human experience in the face of tragedy.

Beyond being a mere composition, the song holds a profound purpose—to inspire people to sing, dance, and engage with the accompanying video. The vision is to spread this musical tribute to dance floors across the globe, fostering awareness and creating a lasting memorial for friends lost on that fateful day.

At the heart of the song’s narrative are the stark events of October 7 at the Nova Festival. The lyrics vividly address a horrific massacre where over 300 attendees, seeking nothing but the joy of dancing peacefully, lost their lives at the hands of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.

Yam Rafaeli’s impactful vocal delivery, combined with Teamworx’s masterful production, creates a connection that transcends the auditory experience. For those seeking a deeper connection, a compelling 3-minute video clip accompanies the audio, providing a visceral and emotional visual experience.

As the creators aim for the song to find its place in the playlists of renowned DJs and resonate across global dance floors, “Dance until we fall” stands as a powerful artistic endeavor—a tribute, a call to action, and a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The post Teamworx and Yam Refaeli Join Forces on Heartfelt Single ‘Until We’re Falling Down’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

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By: Andy Bedhun
Title: Teamworx and Yam Refaeli Join Forces on Heartfelt Single ‘Until We’re Falling Down’
Sourced From: www.edmtunes.com/2023/12/teamworx-and-yam-refaeli-join-forces-on-heartfelt-single-until-were-falling-down/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=teamworx-and-yam-refaeli-join-forces-on-heartfelt-single-until-were-falling-down
Published Date: Fri, 08 Dec 2023 16:08:30 +0000

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Fred again.. Samples Baby Keem in Stellar ‘leavemealone’

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I can’t really begin this article without commending Fred again.. for his insane production and mixing skills. Ok that feels better… Fred Again.. brings out an unique blend of Baby Keem’s ‘South Africa’ and ‘Bullies’ to craft ‘leavemealone’. The Atlantic Records track is a nasty electro journey with Jungle influences and incredible melodies. The result is 3:43 minutes of pure goosebumps.

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A post shared by Fred again.. (@fredagainagainagainagainagain)

‘leavemealone’

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The song introduces a blend of Baby Keem’s original tracks in a masterful positioning, adding reverbs and stuttering that makes transitions seamless. The build up is as emotional as it is sick in the best way possible. It’s so good you just want to cry on the dancefloor as you keep dancing and your tears turn into joy. The hip hop elements fuse with the Electro and UK style in a very dynamic composition. Fred again.. really outdid himself with this one. The repitches and stutters are so well presented it is truly a Grammy-worthy situation.

Baby Keem

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The American Rapper is known for his role on the Black Panther soundtracks, as well as credit contributions for Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar. His free flowing style with heavy trap and bass influences made him the right candidate for the UK producer Fred again.. to ascertain his prowess and construct this masterpiece of a track.

Fred again.. and again?

The UK producer and DJ just gets better and better. He worked with Skrillex and Four Tet for ‘Rumble’. Besides, he produced happiness anthems like ‘Delilah (pull me out of this)’ Fred again.. is a force in this era. Alone this year, He managed to book an eight-night residency at the Shrine in LA. And, gave us three nights at Forrest Hills Stadium. Moreover, he is now a nominatee for Best Dance/Electronic Album at this year’s Grammy Awards for Actual Life 3 (January 1- September 9 2022). His ability to develop story like songs and albums that feel like intimate journal entries is such a beautiful ability.

Nevertheless, we present you ‘leavemealone’:

The post Fred again.. Samples Baby Keem in Stellar ‘leavemealone’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

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By: Jay Seabrook
Title: Fred again.. Samples Baby Keem in Stellar ‘leavemealone’
Sourced From: www.edmtunes.com/2023/12/fred-again-samples-baby-keem-in-stellar-leavemealone/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fred-again-samples-baby-keem-in-stellar-leavemealone
Published Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2023 18:21:15 +0000

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Summer Camp Festival Evolves Into New Concept, Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie

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Summer Camp Festival in Illinois has had an impressive 22-year run. The creators will enter an exciting new era in 2024 with their new festival concept: Solshine: A Music and Arts Reverie. Debuting at Summer Camp’s beloved venue of Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois, the first-ever edition of Solshine will take place from Friday, May 24 – Sunday, May 26, 2024. There will also be a pre-party on Thursday, May 23.

The festival has expanded from 2,000 attendees in 2001 to over 25,000 attendees in 2023. They present a cross-genre music lineup and experiential programming helped cultivate a dedicated fanbase and inclusive community. Over the years the festival also hosted a wide variety of music acts including Tom Petty, Zac Brown Band, Skrillex, Diplo, Griz, Goose, Pretty Lights, Subtronics, Primus, Willie Nelson & Family, Liquid Stranger, Rebelution, REZZ, Slightly Stoopid, STS9, The Disco Biscuits, Excision, Zeds Dead and many more.

Looking toward the future while celebrating the past, Summer Camp’s organizers will channel their flagship event’s longstanding legacy into their new Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie concept. The festival will host a diverse, cross-genre lineup of musical acts spanning jam bands, electronic, bluegrass, funk, rock, and everything in between. In addition to its music programming, the Solshine will offer a variety of workshops, food & craft vendors, and activities – the heart and soul of what made Summer Camp a ‘home away from home’ for attendees who returned year after year. 

Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie will also retain Summer Camp’s core ethos of building an inclusive community around music. Through its mission of sustainability, the festival will aim to inspire attendees to live a life of intention and purpose to create a positive impact on the world. To capture this spirit, the festival will host the coveted experiential art area The Illumination Woods, and the permanent garden SOULPATCH as a dedicated area to increase knowledge of permaculture and sustainability.  

Tickets are available here!

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The post Summer Camp Festival Evolves Into New Concept, Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie appeared first on EDMTunes.

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By: Drew Barkin
Title: Summer Camp Festival Evolves Into New Concept, Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie
Sourced From: www.edmtunes.com/2023/12/summer-camp-festival-evolves-into-new-concept-solshine-a-music-arts-reverie/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=summer-camp-festival-evolves-into-new-concept-solshine-a-music-arts-reverie
Published Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2023 18:17:49 +0000

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