Igloofest 2013 | Preview

With the New Year rung in and the Holiday affectations revoked from their store windows, the majority of cities now enter the long drudge through Winter toward the joviality of Spring.

Montreal is the exception.

Here, the people disregard the common sensibility to sulk and hibernate, and choose instead to revel in sub-zero outdoor communion, an habitual observance of the arts. Igloofest , Montreal’s own alfresco dance-party, is but the essential representation of this mass delusion; a passion for the extreme, the creative, and the cutting-edge.

Now, entering its 7th year, the party boasts a number of achievements. For one, it has earned the affectionate title of “World’s Coldest Festival,” seeing high spirits at temperatures as low -32° C. Igloofest ‘s setting is a triumph in and of itself. Posed against the back drop of the St. Lawrence river, the Quay’s of Montreal’s Old Port dazzle with the help of LED displays numbered in the thousands, not to mention the dozens of featured visual artists set to perform in unison with the musicians on stage. The entire operation has grown from a modest 4,000 party goers in ’07 to welcoming an excess of 55,000 bodies last year. This influx in festivity is likely due in part to the renowned list of talent being selected by those also behind Monteral’s praised summer-jam, Piknic Electronique . I would begin to account the impressive performance alumni of recent years but the list would prove too long for any sensible inclusion. Instead, let us walk through some of Low-Life’s most anticipated, (in alphabetical order) -

A Tribe Called Red

“ A Tribe Called Red is a group consisting of three DJ’s, all of which are from a Native Canadian background. Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, ‘the Tribe’ strives to blend contemporary club sounds with their own traditional Pow-Wow music. The singing found in the original Pow-Wow music is something that cannot be replicated, yelps and screeches hit evoking tones with a strong sense of soul… absolutely refreshing.” (via Low-Life )

A Tribe Called Red plays the Sapporo Stage on January 31st.

Ben UFO

Ben UFO makes up one-third of the contemporary behemoth Hessle Audio , along side other young moguls Pangea and Pearson Sound . He is considered a particularly rare case these days as he is one of an increasingly small contingent of touring artists that only DJ and are respected as such, never taking public steps into the world of production.

Ben UFO takes the Sapporo Stage, February 7th.

Joe Goddard (of Hot Chip)

Joe Goddard may be more commonly recognized as the synth-line and vocal layer to the indie giant, Hot Chip , but something he’s also esteemed for is his unique taste in funk, disco, and the clubbier side of electronic music.

Joe Goddard will take the Sapporo Stage, February 7th.

Joy Orbison

Right now, Joy Orbison is a powerful figure in the house music bubble. This is likely due to the consistency in which he churns out certifiable underground classics. Since his debut single, ‘Hyph Mngo’ in 2009, Joy O has been and continues to be a thunderous and groovy force.

Joy Orbison will play the Sapporo Stage, February 8th.

Kaytranada

“Montreal’s own Kaytranada has a certain way with R&B originals. Listing his influence as “The city of Montreal… mostly,” Kaytranada is becoming more and more relevant… with each passing day; from opening for Baauer and Araabmuzik …reworking tracks for Montreal’s Booty Bakery , and now working with LA based label, HW&W Recordings ” (via Low-Life )

Kaytranada will take the Sapporo Stage, January 26th.

KiNK

KiNK may very well be Eastern Europe’s premier source for acid-house, not to mention for his own unique brand of a whimsical techno. Since the inception of his musical passion in 1992, and the commencement of his career in 2000, KiNK has finally -in recent years- become a name synonymous with classic sound, quality, and, paradoxically, the cutting edge of dance music.

KiNK will play the Sapporo Stage, January 18th.

Nina Kraviz

It is funny that Nina Kraviz maintains so many out-spoken qualms with perfection, that is considering her profession as a both producer and DJ require some level of said quality, but she does, and this likely is a source for her undeniably unique approach to the common house music mode. She is also a bomb-shell. See for yourself.

Nina Kraviz will play the Sapporo Stage, January 25th.

Oneman

Yet another ‘pure DJ,’ in that he only DJ’s, with no production to call his own. This, of course, is of no consequence to his reputation because the name ‘Oneman,’ is a name that garners immediate respect from listeners across the UK and beyond; because everyone knows that Oneman has the hottest dubs out.

Oneman plays the Sapporo Stage on February 8th.

TNGHT

TNGHT , the duo comprised of Scotland’s Hudson Mohawke and Montreal’s own Lunice need little introduction. The TNGHT EP was heard around the world. There is no doubt that this performance will be altogether insane.

TNGHT will take the Sapporo Stage, January 26th.

Wolf + Lamb

Lastly, we have Wolf + Lamb . The Brooklyn based outfit is posed to bring out its signature style of deep, melodic, indie-sexual house music. Bring your special someone along to this one and make some eye-contact.

Wolf + Lamb will take the Sapporo Stage, January 17th.

Seeing as Igloofest 2013 is not three, but a full four weekends long this year, there is really no excuse for missing out. From out of town, from out of the basement, don your snow gear and prepare to dance. You won’t regret it. Trust us.

Tickets can be purchased by day, by weekend, or by full pass at igloofest.ca

sam.i.am