July 8, 2012

MSTRKRFT rocking the Electro Stage: Click on photo to go to original post!

Toronto duo MSTRKRFT hit the electro stage to a booming crowd for RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest on Saturday, pleasing the ears of many electronic music fans of all ages.

The band is comprised of JFK, from the rock band Death From Above 1979, and Al-P, from the former Mississauga, Ont. band Girlsareshort. Longtime fans crowded the grassy hills and small patio to listen to the band’s hits. The duo are notorious for their remixes of bands like Wolfmother, Justice and Metric.

Like many electro shows, visual effects are incredibly important, and MSTRKRFT took the full darkness to their advantage. The crowd was full of people of all ages who have seen them on tour with other electronic artists like Niagara Falls’ Deadmau5 and Vancouver native and fellow Bluesfest-er Felix Cartal.

The Electro Stage was surprisingly busy Saturday night, considering the sea of Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper fans in attendance for the day. Tucked away behind the War Museum, the list of performing artists was as eclectic as the crowd surrounding the stage.

Bringing in the crowd before the final act, one half of Mustard Pimp, a DJ known as Baron got everyone up off the grass and onto their feet. Baron made up for the fact that the drummer eKa was missing and played some of the group’s biggest releases like Cherry and Pidgeon Flu.

Dutch trio Nobody Beats The Drum brought the electric spirit to the stage. The group, comprised of DJs Jori Collignon and Sjam Sjansoedinand and visual artist Rogier van der Zwaag, brought perfectly aligned video clips to stun the crowd’s eyes and ears for their one-hour set. The group is just finishing up a summer full of festivals before they return home, but they were well received.

DJ Illo pleased everyone in the hot sun with a set list from remixes of Adele and the Beastie Boys to great 80s music like Prince and Michael Jackson. Teens rocked out on the grass in the heat while small families and older couples collectively nodded their heads.

“I know it’s only five o’clock, so let’s relax and have some fun,” the DJ said to the crowd as he started.

First up on the stage was Ottawa-bred hip-hop duo Philly Moves, bringing their up-beat and energetic vibe with them. Having toured with artists like Mac Miller and fellow Bluesfest performer A$AP Rocky, the two were welcomed to their hometown with smiles and applause.

All in all, Saturday was a great day for the Electro Stage and all of the artists involved. Nevertheless, electronic fans are awaiting Skrillex and the Full Flex Tour — but the impressive group that graced the stage today made the wait worth while.

— Rebecca Potter