VELD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016:REVIEW BY: KHADEJ FALL

VELD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016: REVIEW By: Khadej Fall This past weekend, Veld Festival took over Downsview Park for its fifth year and hosted approximately a hundred thousand people for two days over the popular local summer long weekend. There were multiple options for admission including General Admission for one day, General Admission or VIP passes for two days. Known for the detail put into INK Entertainment events, every point of entry in the park as well as stage areas had security on duty. Along with amusement, a sense of safety was evident for every patron who came from near and far (as far as Peru and California) to enjoy the festival as one expects when paying to attend an event with major headliners. Colourful and fool-proof wristbands were provided to every patron in attendance including artists, media, and staff. For a limited time, patrons were given the chance to buy Veld braided festival bracelets available in different colours as their admission bands as well as a souvenir. Every detail of the festival were also included on the much used Veld App available as a free download including a map, a schedule, activities, amenities, as well as water stations. On site this year, there were noticeably more games and activities set up. In addition to the famous Ferris wheel, there was a big DropKick water slide, bean bag games, a wrecking ball, and Leaps and Bounds. Patrons also had the option of taking breaks between seeing their favourite artists perform by making their own candy-bracelets or participating in hula hoop contests. A number of food vendors were available around the park to curb everyone's appetite. Near the entrance between the stages, a very chic looking tent with cocktail tables could be seen where one could go to socialize or a grab and eat a hot dog nearby. As it is usually hot on Veld weekend, multiple water stations were available or patrons could cool out at the RPH Belmont Lounge on a nice patio-like couch. In addition, Somersby Cider, Red Bull, Express, and Bud Light were amongst many vendors present throughout the park. Two stages were set up at Veld to bring out the hottest names in the EDM world such as The Chainsmokers, Deadmau5, Duke Dumont, Steve Aoki, DVBBS, Yellow Claw, and many more. The Main Stage was set up on the field near the entrance and the slightly smaller, but still massive Terra stage was located on the far left side of the entrance. Although the Main Stage did not seem as big as it did last year, the lighting, fire effects, and confetti that The Veld Festival is known for was consistent throughout the two days. Artists who all performed on schedule, minus the unfortunate last minute change from Travis Scott due to issues beyond anyone's control (fans were however pleased with having Majid Jordan perform in his place!) were very interactive with their fans and in return their fans were very responsive. Whether it was Steve Aoki sharing cake with his fans who anxiously anticipated the occasion or whether it was Yellow Claw telling his fans to sit down and then to get up, fans were pleased to do anything when asked which was much added value to the entertainment. While Steve Aoki was closing out his set with fireworks by the Main Stage, Duke Dumont was spinning non-stop house beats on the Terra Stage for his dancing loyal fans. Of course, major headliner Deadmau5 closed out Day 1 of Veld with one of his infamous and most entertaining performances. This year the top of his cube seems to have rotated on stage for the first time ever making his fans go wild. Overall, Ink Entertainment, Live Nation and Deadmau5 have been successful with bringing the two-day Veld Festival to Downsview Park for the fifth time around for festival-goers during Ontario's significant long weekend. It is evident that the organized and secured entertainment, artists, along with the pleasant and fun atmosphere will be sure to attract many more old and new fans of this music festival for many more years to come.