CJLO Photo Diary << Igloofest << January 17-19

 

Photos and text by AutoBeat DJ MNJIVR 

The 2013 edition of Igloofest kicked off in grand style at the Jacques-Cartier Pier in the Old-Port on January 17th. After last year's hugely successful and record-breaking edition, Igloofest once again boasts an impressive line-up of the biggest names in the local and international scenes. Throw on your one-piece snowsuits, break out those tuques, and shake off the winter blues because an extra weekend has been added to the festival! But first, here's a rundown of weekend one.


Igloofest, Vieux-Port de Montréal

 

January 17th: OPENING NIGHT!

Up and coming Montreal DJ Richie G kicked off the fest on Thursday with a two-hour set that made festival-goers quickly forget the frigid temperatures. Laced with tech and deep house tracks, Richie G showed festival goers why DMC World Magazine named him "Montreal's Boy Wonder". 


Richie G

I've had the chance to cover Igloofest numerous times, and its summer counterpart, Piknic Électronik, but this was the first time I had heard such a varied musical selection by Wolf + Lamb. The duo, also head of the eponymous record label, opened with a track from Nicolas Jaar


Wolf + Lamb

But the first night belonged to our very own Misstress Barbara. This Montreal native topped off a superb night with a high-energy set. Never letting go of the throttle, her set made a sea of fans dance and completely forget the cold -25 degree Celsius temperature. Best way to end the night!


Misstress Barbara

 

January 18th: MORE COLD AND SNOW AND MORE GREAT MUSIC

Fur Trade Recordings, my favourite Montreal record label, took over the Virgin Mobile Igloo Friday night. The crew, composed of Cristobal Urbina, Mindbend (a.k.a Nico Sé) and Romeo Kardec, had the igloo dancing the night away with their distinctive blend of house, disco and techno. The guys showed us why the we should keep an eye out for them.


Fur Trade

Outside on the main stage, Stephen Beaupré got the party going with some techno and house blends, and the much-anticipated performance by Kink had people packing the floor in front of the stage. After a remarkable performance at Mutek earlier this year, he brought his drum pads and synth to Igloofest for another awesome performance. 


Igloofest, Vieux-Port de Montréal

Friday night goes to the electrifying performance by Mathias Kaden. The German producer came prepared to drop a massive set, and he knew quite well what would get the crowd into full-party mode.


Mathias Kaden


January 19th: BEAT MAKERS

On a snowy Saturday night, a pair of veterans laid waste to the Igloofest dance floor in an igloo filled with Montreal's leading beat makers that made everyone forget the weather. In fact, the Old-Port resembled a funky winter wonderland with the lights, party people, and great music. 


DJ Sneak

First up was Montreal DJ Paolo Rocco, followed by Toronto's own DJ Sneak, who started off his set the proper way with a classic house track that kept people dancing for two straight hours. Josh Wink, a festival favourite, closed out the night in his own way with a full two-hour set that continued way past the Old Port's midnight curfew. The "Higher State of Consciousness" DJ brought his usual style of techno-house with a lot of bass added to his track selection.


Josh Wink

The Artbeat Showcase in the Virgin Mobile Igloo introduced the general public to great homegrown beat makers that have been rocking the small venues, the internet, and blogs of late. Starting with local veteran Scott C. from the monthly night and radio show "The Goods". Also in the igloo was High Classified, a talented young Laval producer who kept the party going with his bass-heavy tracks that made the place jump several times. Be sure to check him out in the near future, the kid's got talent for sure.


High Classified

Artbeat belonged to veteran beat-maker KenLo Craqnuques. This Québec City native has a distinctive and unmistakable sound and vibe that mixes classic hip-hop sampling, his own beats, and some traditional Quebec folk with a healthy dose of humor. KenLo Craqnuques made the "La gang de Buddé" inside the igloo bounce the night away.


KenLo Craqnuques

And thus concludes Igloofest's inaugural weekend! So many great artists have performed so far, I'm ready to bet that there will be equal or even greater talent to come. With all the dancing going on in the igloos, I wonder if anyone will be left standing in the Old Port!