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Festival Fever: Eclipse Summer Electronic Music Festival

May 15 2012

 

Welcome back to Festival Fever, our weekly feature that covers the most prolific electronic dance music events in Canada and around the globe. This week we are heading deep into the province of Quebec to discover Eclipse Summer Electronic Music Festival, a four day celebration of art, performance, philosophy and music nestled into Canada’s beautiful wilderness. This year, the festival will be held July 27-30 on the enchanting site of Bonnet Rouge in Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau, Quebec. Put together by Safari Tech Productions and a committed team of festival workers, this 11^th edition of Eclipse promises to be, once again, an unforgettable experience.

The first edition of the Eclipse Festival was an indoor party that happened in Montreal back in April of 1999. After two years of absence, they came back in September 2002, with another indoor party. The festival has been happening every year since then, bringing in electronic music producers and DJs from all over the world to play in some of Quebec’s finest locales. The 2003 edition of the Eclipse Festival happened near Mont-Tremblant, Quebec and was the very first edition to take place outdoors. In 2004, Eclipse was held in Ste-Agathe, Quebec and by then the popularity of Eclipse had become apparent. In 2005 they once again moved the location to the Bonnet Rouge property in Ste-Therese-de-la-Gatineau, which happens to be a lot farther from any big cities, but which also features significantly more space and many natural features perfectly fit for a festival. Eclipse has returned to this pristine location three hours north of Montreal every year since, except in 2007 when the eco-village at Mont-Radar had its turn hosting this memorable event.

Bonnet Rouge is a beautiful vast property bordering the Gatineau River with more than enough space to set up the three stages and a small camping village where the fans will pop up tents free of charge in order to remain on the property throughout the four music-filled days. Drinking water will be provided free of charge all week, there will be a number of food vendors set up including a variety of vegan food available and a village market seeling goods will be kept busy.  Not only does the property happen to border the Gatineau River but also features a real sand beach which is open to all festival goers. Fans can often be found here cooling off by the water on sunny afternoons. There is no doubt that Eclipse possesses a much more spiritual feel than most other festivals, the uplifting feeling of gathering in the wilderness to share musical experiences is what sets this festival apart from the competition.

The main stage, known as the Solar Stage, will present known artists from the Canadian and international electronic music scene. DJs and selected artists will unite to offer you the new trends of forward thinking electronic music that make outdoor festivals popular all over the world. From dark progressive to progressive techno, the Solar Stage will offer a one-of-a-kind futuristic, organic and magical decor. A powerful sound system and a stunning immersive environment will stimulate all your senses. With passing years, the second stage known as Lunar Space has remained the favourite of festival-goers who wish for an out-of-the-ordinary musical experience on the shore of the magnificent Gatineau River. It’s become the meeting place for those who prefer a friendlier, more intimate space. On a high-tech sound system, artists will offer you the best of minimal and progressive techno, tech-house and breaks. The new Goa chill zone made its mark during the 10th anniversary of the festival back in 2010. Featuring the Stellar Stage once again this year, it contributes to the festival’s equilibrium. Along with organic and psychedelic ambient music, down tempo and dub, this year the Stellar Stage will offer live acoustic performances, workshops and conferences. This warm space will favour relaxation, well-being, love, interaction and of course, dancing. Discover energy like you have never experienced before and become submersed in the beauty of Canada’s backcountry. Check out this 10^th anniversary video.

This year the fans will have a chance to witness many of their favourite artists perform throughout the week. Consistently keeping the emphasis on psytrance and mostly on more underground sounds, Eclipse has created a strong following of fans committed to the variety of styles portrayed at this unique event. The line up for the week includes many international as well as Canadian artists ready to take you through a journey with their music.

The Solar Stage will boast performances by Sun Control Species, Sonic Species, Headroom, E-Clip, Dickster, Burn in Notes, Boris Brecha, Blue Lunar Monkey, Bird of Prey, Asura, A-Balter. Zentrix Ygriega, Yann, Tenzin, Symbolium, Spo_Onani, Solar Prophecy, Seb, Ron Jon, Rikam, Oktun, Mytrophan, Majical vs. Sarah Fairy, Kasdal, Horizon, Ala Kazoo, Akibel, Absolute, FM Radio Gods and Cosmic Orgasm.

Over on the Lunar Stage the likes of Zum One, Vesper, Spacekadet, Polyson, Olivier Saint-Germain, Shankar, Uber, Okin, Neerav, MZ Mad-Kiloz, Monokongo, Moebius, Monochrome, Les Limaces, Kristian Sunflower, Jonah K, Jerus Nazdaq, Like a Tree, Hi-Lo, G-Obrien, Florian MSK, Flim, Decode, Camo, Bushido, Bonus Beat, Ben Rama, Baya, Axailes Solar, Andrei K, Alix and A-Balter to keep the fans captivated engaged. A-Balter playing both the main and the second stages proves his success. He is currently the co-owner of Digital Structures records label together with his partner Yuli Fershtat of Project Perfect Stranger and without a doubt is one of the busiest DJs in Israel.

The Stellar Stage will be the place to kick back and enjoy some relaxing beats. The line up of performances scheduled for this stage will take you on a journey with music. Zven, Zen, Yvy, Solitaire, Semira, Sabi Non Stop, Ron Elf, Red Electric Earth, Psybert, Prana Papa, Obsidian, Neerav, Nainita, Miracle Flash, Mat THC, Lunar-Groove, Longstoking, Leonardo, Kiran, Eric Mandala, Equanimous, Chris Chill, Caterva Lumen, Blue Lunar Monkey, Biobazar, Bendala, Anima, Alison onderland, Aikido and Asura will be playing remarkable sets. Blue Lunar Monkey happens to also be playing two stages throughout the week. His two distinct styles of psytrance and dub will mix well with the fans in attendance and have the crowds yearning for more. This is definately an event worth making it to, if you don’t already have tickets you can purchase them here.

Clearly the spiritual feel at this event is prominent and the feeling of unity is prevalent throughout the fans. Eclipse has proven itself as a reputable festival and will surely continue to prosper for years to come. Keep up to date with news and up coming announcements here on the website.

Next week we head into Victoria, B.C. to present you the Victoria Electronic Music Festival. VEMF is a non-profit event presented by Northwest Entertainment Foundation and is produced by Lucky 13 Productions, with tremendous support from its sponsors, artists and volunteers. Going into its 10th year, VEMF was recently voted “favourite annual event in Victoria” and is expected to attract 10,000 plus people this summer. Come back next week to hear all about it.

If you know of any Canadian or International electronic music festivals we should be covering, please email Stef at festivals@djmag.ca.

See you next week!

Stef Abrek