What a year it was at Global Dance Festival this time around. This year the festival was 3 days, each day specific to fans musical tastes. For those of you who have not heard or been to GDF before, it is an EDM festival just outside Denver, CO at the best venue in the world, Red Rocks Amphitheater. Wedged into the front range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the festival consists of 3 separate stages, each with their own personality and feel, and a totally different perspective of music than any other festival in the world. When describing this festival to friends and family I like to use the world intimate; unlike larger festivals like Ultra and EDC, the crowd is spacious but still up close and personal with your favorite DJ/Producer. Personally I had the time of my life at this years Global Dance Festival, dominating the scene with the Remix Nation Team at Red Rocks, and those who went to the Beta Nightclub after party. Below is a quick review of the top performers at this years GDF.
Avicii
As Always, Avicii threw down a monstrous set. Playing his classic tracks as well as the brand new ones, the crowd was in a permanent Avicii coma. His set began at 9 0′clock just as the sun was setting over Denver, making for a perfect intro. As the set progressed his tracks seemed to get louder and louder as the strobes began to kick in and the sun set. Closing with the always epic Steve Angello, AN21 & Max Vengeli Remix of The Island, Avicii’s set was one the crowd of GDF will never forget.
Pendulum – The Island (Steve Angello, AN21 & Max Vangeli Remix) [Link]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tim Berg, Norman Doray & Sebastien Drums Vs. Empire Of The Sun – Tweet It Vs. Walking On A Dream (Avicii Essential Mix Rip) [Link]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Skrillex
Global Dance Festival was Skrillex’s first time ever playing at Red Rocks and thus, he crushed the crowd with his totally individual sound, as usual. Performing live mash-ups like My Name Is Skrillex and Nero’s Promises, his show was the most energy filled moon dance party Red Rocks has ever seen. By far my favorite part of the set was his new remix of Benny Benassi’s Cinema followed by a mash-up of TC’s Where’s My Money (Capsa Remix) mixed with Savage’s Shake That Ass, always a great sing-a-long. Overall a classic sounding Skrillex set, smashing the faces of the helpless Red Rocks crowd. Check out this amazing video, Thanks to averonalus for the footage. The video includes my favorite part of the set and some awesome quotes about Red Rocks from Skrillex.
Skrillex – My Name Is Skrillex (Skrillex Remix) [Link]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Morgan Page
I must say that my favorite set of the weekend was put on by Morgan Page. His set was on the top stage while Gareth Emery was performing on the main stage. Most people made there way to the top of the Red Rock Amphitheater for this explosive set. Morgan is know for his melodic, bass pounding, dance sets, and he was far from disappointing his fans. What surprised me most was the variety of his set. He played live/festival versions of his famous tracks, Longest Road and Call My Name, and as soon as I thought I had his set figured out, Mord Fustang’s Lick The Rainbow, emerged from the basstastic underground lords to ignite the crowd to a level I never thought possible. Morgan kept the crowd on there toes, or in the air, however you see it, playing my overall best DJ set of the weekend. The video below shows the madness as Morgan dropped Mord Fustang’s track and my favorite Morgan Page Remix, I’ve Had Friends. The video is a little shaky (try not to ralf while watching) do to the rowdiness level, but that’s what you get when you strap a GoPro to the biggest Nation fans chest. Thanks again Whitness.
Morgan Page’s newest podcast is a good representation of the variety of music he plays, not to mention this podcast is epic.
Morgan Page Podcast (058) [Link]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Nero
The set I was most excited for was that of Nero’s. I had never seen Nero perform before, which is insane considering my deep obsession for the duo. The set was action packed as the crowd took endless punches from the infinite number of Nero bangers. Nero dropped everyone’s favorite thumpers, Promises, Me & You, and Innocence. There truly is nothing like an up-tempo Dubstep/Drum & Bass set played from the hands of a ledgend. Thank you Nero for enhancing my love. Thanks again to averonalus for the footage.
Nero – Promises (Skrillex Remix) [Link]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Had to post a quick pic of some of the Nation Team that represented over the weekend. Also the post wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging Benny Benassi and Dada Life who played their always energized sets. No show is complete without the Electroman and banana lovers. What a festival it was,I love you all, see you all there next year, PrivateParty!
uh oh… it looks like something is wrong with luda he’s got that crazy person look in his eye. Did he make it out of there?
LUDAAAAAA is safe! Thank heaven.
Saturday at Global was insane, Avicii threw down so hard and then Benassi killed it
Loved the review! Global was such an EPIC three days.