Global Dance Festival 2013 7/19-7/22 Recap

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EDM fans gathered to celebrate Global Dance Festival at the legendary Red Rocks. This 3 day event brought out a whose who in the electronic scene. Each day showcased a different genre of music, but every day the rocks were packed with music hungry EDM fans!
Day one was focused around live electronic music. With packed sets at Ott, Emancipator, Papadosio, Eoto and Beats Antique, it was hard to say who the crowd favorite was. After local favorites Signal Path, Ott later came on for his first Red Rocks appearance and got the crowd ready for an evening full of dance. His set concluded as the sun began setting behind the rocks, a perfect time for Emancipator to play some of his new songs off the “Dusk to Dawn” album. With the sun setting and the nearly full moon rising, it was clear that the rain would hold off, and that night one had only begun. While Papadosio rocked the upper stage, Colorado favorites Eoto showed off their improvised jams and visual mapping to a now full main stage. As the night went on the crowd grew bigger and the amount of LED’s/ glow sticks got brighter. Conspirator concluded the upper stage with a rocking performance. One that was so good even Marc Brownstein needed to document. On the main stage Beats Antique delivered a phenomenal performance. A captivated combination of new age tunes with an old school New Orleans string and drum vibe. To say that Zoe Jakes was anything less of a goddess would be an understatement. Whether its dancing while balancing vase on top of your head, getting the crowd pumped to you playing the bass drum or having your dancers run out with crazy costumes while throwing beach balls, they have always put on a great show and have shown synchronized dancing can find a home in almost every style of music. Night one was a success and the happy fans left knowing tomorrow would only get better.
Night two, was more of the old school Global that I remember. With music ranging from trance, techno or house to drum & bass and dubstep. Each stage brought its on crowd and a huge set-list. The Afterhours Anonymous stage was where I often found myself taking the most photos. The stage was covered in inflatable LED’s and gave off this awesome space age octopus vibe. Deep house/ techno was the vibe and Oona Dahl got the night started wonderfully. So well that even a family of deer grazed on the backside of the hill as she played. Justin Martin later hit the decks for a 2hr set of pure San Francisco house magic. The lower stage was packed with people and once again the moon and weather couldn’t be any better. The night concluded with Justin pouring out Jameson shots and a family photo of all who stayed. Night 2 was spent with good people and great music.
On the third and final night, fans got ready to wrap up a wonderful weekend at Global Dance. Kill Paris started the evening of bass with a memorable sunset set at the main stage. He was even kind enough to do a meet and greet after his set on the lower ramp. Fans also gathered at the This Song Is Sick tent, for the Griz meet and greet. With Team Griz flags and Grassroots hats in hand, each fan left with a smile and a signed souvenir to show to their friends. As the meet and greet ended trap favorites Baauer and R.L. Grime got the hips twerkin’ into the night. With matching baseball jerseys and ball caps this duo rocked there hour and a half set till daylight became darkness. Between sets fans made the long trek up the rocks. At the top they’d find Seven Lions absolutely destroying the Global Bass Stage. With the unfortunate news that Craze would not be able attend; Seven Lions used this opportunity to play a special 2.5 hour set. An artist who shows emotion and love for what he does has the ability to send a positive message to all. Not once did I see Seven Lions stop smiling. He showed the same intensity from first to last. As the beat began to slow down I followed the migration of people heading to the main stage. The now Boulder local, Griz, hit the stage to a sold out crowd cheering him on. Once the crowd was warmed up, Grant surprised the audience with a special set with Denver native Michal Menert; later with Gramatik. This festival collaboration has hit the EDM scene with force and has now become something on every fans wish list. With the smooth combination of jazz and funk this duo is on a train ride to success. As there set came to a close they gave the CO crowd one last thing to be excited about.
“Grizmatik will be headlining the 1st Bank Center this Halloween for a show that you will never forget.”
To say Colorado is a fan of EDM would be an understatement. Over the last 10yrs Global Dance has had the ability to bring the largest acts in electronic music. EDM shows no sign in slowing down and I wouldn’t doubt that each year the festival lineup gets better and better!

Words and photos by: Brandon Taylor