Thursday, November 10, 2016

Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival Announces Initial Lineup


Soundslinger is proud to announce the initial lineup for the 2017 Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival, a diverse, multi-genre event celebrating the start of spring with world renowned and on the rise performers, art installations to inspire with awe, yoga and meditation to cleanse the soul, great food, and friends new and old to enjoy it all with. The second annual edition of North America’s most exciting new festival will take place from Thursday, March 2nd through Sunday, March 5th at Okeechobee, Florida’s beautiful Sunshine Grove, located on over 600 acres of pristine grasslands, clear lakes, and exotic tropical woodlands. 


Featuring performance from Kings of Leon, Usher & The Roots, Bassnectar, The Lumineers, Flume, Wiz Khalifa, Pretty Lights, Solange, Rae Sremmurd, Young The Giant, Porter Robinson (Live), Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, and many more, the 2017 Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival will build upon the unique attributes that made this past spring’s sold out event one of the most talked about live music experiences of the year.



A limited quantity of both 3-day and 4-day Early Bird festival tickets as well as Early Bird VIP packages are on sale now via OkeechobeeFest.com. Early Bird 3 day GA price is $229, Early Bird 4 day GA price is $249, and Early Bird Eternal Sunshine VIP price is $599. Once the limited quantity of Early Bird tickets are sold out, additional GA tickets will be available at the Tier 1 price. The full first wave artist lineup and festival AdMat can be found below. Additional major artists and other news to be announced in the coming weeks.

Purchase Early Bird Tickets to Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival 2017 while supplies last.
Visit OkeechobeeFest.com for complete ticketing details and payment plan options.


Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Safe In Sound Festival Hits Atlanta

The Safe In Sound Festival is making its way to a town near you offering a tempting lineup for trap queens and bass heads alike.  While the festival won't be stopping by in the Triangle, it will be just a fun road-trip away in Duluth, GA at the Atlanta Coliseum on November 19th.  The traveling festival features a variety of artists such as Brillz, Flux Pavilion, Nghtmre, and Ookay, but the Atlanta lineup showcases BorgoreSNAILS, Must Die and Rain Man.


Dubstep producer and vocalist Borgore hits the crowd hard with aggressive, metal-influenced EDM. Borgore is not concerned with being a feminist or politically correct with his in-your-face lyrics and visuals; leaving fans slightly offended and loving every second of it.  Borgore has released some heavy-hitting collaborations with the likes of G-Eazy in Forbes and Waka Flocka Flame in Wild Out. His live shows do not disappoint with carefully crafted visual images enveloped with mind-bending lights.




Montreal based producer and DJ SNAILS will join this hard-hitting lineup. SNAILS is known for meshing dance music with trap rhythms, dirty base lines, and innovative sound designs.  Snail-heads and bass lovers unite to bounce and sway to his hypnotic blends of  mind blowing sample manipulation and cascading drops.

Making this unforgettable night complete are Must Die and Rain Man.  Add these four heavy-hitters together and it will make for one lively night filled with hypnotic visuals, PLURtastic people, and of course, an endless amount of bass. With general admission tickets only costing $30, what are you waiting for?  Hop on over to the official Safe In Sound website and don't miss the best party of the fall.


Monday, October 10, 2016

Catch Some Good Vibes with The Mowgli's at Cat's Cradle

Sunshine West-Coast rockers, The Mowgli's will take on the Cat's Cradle stage this Tuesday, October 11.  In a frightening world of HB2, hurricanes, and an uncertain election,  The Mowgli's are a great reminder that even the darkest days will get brighter.

The Mowgli's have just released their third album, Where'd Your Weekend Go? via Photo Finish Records.  On creating the album, vocalist and guitarist Colin recalls, "We've been on tour incessantly, and this album was really written all over the country.  It was composed in green rooms, hotels, parking lots, and everywhere in between. I went to Nashville for a week on a whim and tried to learn how to write country music. I was so lucky to work with some of the best in the business. I wanted to bring some of those storytelling elements into the music too. We really grew up, and the songs reflect that journey."

Since we could all use some positive energy in our lives, don't miss this upbeat show at Cat's Cradle with support by Colony House and Dreamers.  The doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8.  Head over to the Cat's Cradle website for tickets and more details.


Friday, October 7, 2016

Exclusive Preview of Porch Light Apothecary's New Album

On October 14, Americana rockers Porch Light Apothecary will release their first studio album, Silence to Sound.  Luckily for you fine folks, we have an exclusive preview of the album one week before its official release. Check it out here on Soundcloud.

Silence to Sound includes eight songs written by front man Brent Jordan, who had a past solo album featured on NBC’s hit television show Scrubs. In Silence to Sound, he writes about the joys and pains of real life while casting raw emotion in his songs. “The songs just seem to appear every now and then, out of nowhere,” said Brent.  He almost doesn't feel ownership of the songs he writes. It’s something deeper and spiritual. “They're gifts given to me that I have to share.”  He so eloquently tells a story with song.


Arguably one of the most memorable songs from the album, “Good to Be in Carolina Again” has been selected by the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes for use in their upcoming Home Grown Series ads this season.

Silence to Sound was recorded at Sleepy Cat Recordings in Carrboro. On the recording process, drummer and mandolin player Jason Elliott (JJ) states, “We couldn't have asked for a better place than Carrboro to get away for a few days and pour our hearts into creating this album without any distractions.  It’s such a relaxed, creative community, and Saman and Dylan were fantastic to work with.  It was a truly magical experience.”

Porch Light Apothecary's musical collaboration is sure to stir something inside of you; drawing you in from different roads of life, calling you up to the music being played by the front porch lights, taking you on an intimate journey of discovery.

Stream Silence to Sound now here and prepare to hear it live at the Porch Light Apothecary album release party at Deep South on October 14.  It'll be a fun night of new music discovery with support by Ravary and City Below.  Tickets are available now at the Deep South website. 

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Galantis and Hook N Sling Release Video for "Love on Me"

It has been 5 years since Hook N Sling smashed the music world unexpectedly with “Take You Higher”, a tune made with fellow producer Goodwill. The very next year, Hook was working alongside Aussie duo Nervo to create “Reason”. Now based in LA, his appetite to create new sounds with friends is still massive. Hook N Sling teams up with international duo Galantis for "Love On Me," their new collaboration out now on Big Beat Records.

Since remixing ‘Gold Dust’ for Galantis last year, we’ve been talking about collaborating on something. ‘Love On Me’ is here!” – Hook N Sling

"Love On Me" has the makings of yet another bonafide hit for the native Australian to add to his seemingly endless catalogue of successful releases. The bubbly pop single features an irresistible vocal sample, reminiscent of a perfect sun-shining day. Hook's studio chemistry with Galantis is impressively on display throughout the song, featuring a steel drum beat that doubles as the melody, along with hook-laden vocals and a massive drop that’s destined for club play for years to come. 

This release comes at an exciting time for Hook N' Sling aka Anthony Maniscalco. His proven history of releasing chart-topping records that cut through the saturated electronic dance music space show a constant evolution to his sound, staying two steps ahead of the game at every turn. With an ARIA Music Awards nomination, a DMC Buzz Chart #1, a Beatport #1, and a Hypem #1 under his belt, Hook N' Sling continues to make a statement as to the versatile appeal of his music. He's earned tens of millions of spins across Youtube and Spotify, earning support from respected peers like Kaskade, AxwellDon DiabloThe Chainsmokers, and more.  Check out the colorful new video for "Love on Me" and try not to smile.  



Thursday, September 29, 2016

Don't Miss the Wide Open Bluegrass Street Fest


IBMA's Wide Open Bluegrass Festival is in town and the weekend has an extensive lineup for free music at the Street Fest.  With five stages and a dance tent, banjos will be playing through the streets of downtown Raleigh from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m.  The best part?  The Street Fest is free. Throughout Friday and Saturday, catch bluegrass greats such as Balsam Range, Flatt Lonesome, The Honey Dewdrops and more.  Check out the extensive stage lineup here.


For those that really like to get moving, check out the full schedule for the dance tent. This stage will feature cloggers, square dancing, and open dancing all day until 11 each night.  Closing out Friday will be the ever enchanting Ellis Dyson and the Shambles.  This band knows how to get a tent rockin' with their unique mix of folk and swing.  On Saturday, dance tent masters Scythian will close out the night with their barn-stomping Celtic folk-rock.


Don't forget that tickets can still be purchased for the Wide Open Bluegrass main stage.  This stage features artists such as Ricky Skaggs, The Nitty Gritty Band, and The Steep Canyon Rangers.  Take a look at the complete schedule and purchase tickets at the official IBMA website.

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Imagine Music Festival '16 Recap



The third annual Imagine Music Festival, presented by IRIS Presents, took place August 26-28 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.  Catering to 45,000 music fans, this innovative festival production wowed all who entered the space.  Continuing with the magical aquatic theme, IMF meshed together several elements to create one unforgettable EDM playground.  For the first time, IMF added camping as an option and moved to the incredibly spacious Atlanta Motor Speedway.  Here are the top three things we loved about this year's Imagine Music Festival.




#1.  The Magic

There are hundreds of music festivals held in the U.S. each year, making it tough to stand out and be unique. IMF had no issue solving this dilemma.  By paying attention to detail and visualizing the experience through the eye of the fans, Imagine truly created a scene for just that: imagining.  When entering the speedway, the attendees were hit with a vibrant scene: amusement rides, flashing stage lights, booming beats, and sparkling costumes.

With the new spatial freedom provided by the Atlanta Motor Speedway, IMF added a brightly flashing ferris wheel and a swing ride carousel.  Partaking in this fun could only send attendees back to their childhood, feeling young and free.

Also adding to the feeling of freedom, IMF provided a break from the extreme heat with an enticing and refreshing wading pool.  Here, Imaginers could play ball, cool-off, and hang with friends between sets. Continuing with the water theme, a  bouncy water slide was also widely used near the Amazonia stage.  Each of these elements added both fun and much needed heat relief.

#2.  The Essentials

This was a brand new year for IMF, with a bigger and better mentality all around.  Included in this thinking was the opportunity to camp for the first time.  Imagine did an amazing job of providing safe, clean, and comfortable camping.  Some of the perks included were free showers, air conditioned bathrooms, and consistently cleaned portable bathrooms.  Everyone who camps regularly knows, it's the little things that matter and the words "air conditioned" and "clean" go a long way when living the festival life.

Inside the Speedway, IMF also paid special attention to meeting peoples' essential needs.  Misting tents were provided throughout the grounds and a chill room was available for cooling off at any time. These are small perks that mean a lot when sitting in the heat all day.  Once again, well-done, Imagine.

#3.  The Music

Save the best for last, right?  No music festival is complete without a stellar lineup and IMF did not disappoint in this department either, bringing in headliners like Dillon Francis, Zed's Dead and Excision.  No headliner can perform to his true potential without proper staging and Imagine really expanded on that this year, making the stages ornate, bright, and loud enough to be heard 30 miles away, literally.  Fans had 7 stages to choose from, ranging in size and decoration, but each one brought a clean sound quality and visuals to make anyone's eyes and ears pop.

The two main stages, Oceania and Amazonia, had grand scale on their side, but the smaller stages were each impressive in their own way.  The Disco Inferno possessed a futuristic feel with a steel globe that shot fire, surrounded by LED screens blinking various shapes and designs.  This is where DJ Hanzel went Von Deeper, making his first festival appearance that drew in a large crowd with his raging beats and comedic tone.  SNBRN was also a stand-out on this stage, inducing a joyful dance party with fans donning dolphin floaties, mermaid tales, and foam shark heads.


The Amazonia stage housed several jam bands and brought on the funk both Saturday and Sunday.  While there were an abundance of notable artists to grace this stage, the strongest performances came from Break Science, OPIUO, and of course, Gramatik.  Each of these artists combined just the right amount of bass, lights, and mind-blowing visuals to keep everyone enthralled and dancing.

Practically every show at the main Oceania stage was unforgettable.  IMF did not hold back on making this stage a true spectacle.  On Friday, SNAILS killed his set, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend.  Dillon Francis and Zed's Dead went back to back on Saturday, making for two hours of delightfully intense beats.  They took the audience on a fierce roller coaster ride of classic favorites, pulsating tempos, and a visual performance created with a sole purpose of blowing minds.  No one can throw down harder than Excision, making for the perfect closer of the festival.  Complete with head-banging beats, perfectly timed fireworks, and flashing visuals, Imagine Music Festival 2016 came to a close.



After two successful years of being a smaller festival, there were some concerns about IMF growing up too much.  Why mess with a formula that works?  Clearly, the great minds behind Imagine new exactly what they were doing.  From comfortable camping, to the stellar lineup, to the unforgettable stages, IMF '16 was definitely a success.  So, what will IMF come up with for next year?  We can only imagine. 

*Photo credit for photos 1-5:
http://www.alexgperez.com/


Friday, June 24, 2016

Electric Adventure 2016 Presale Starts Today

Tickets On Sale: TODAY June 24th 
Presale weekend passes start at $99 
* All VIP Ticket holders from last year are eligible for discount on VIP Tickets * 
 
For most, the month of September marks the end of another Summer filled with BBQs, roof-top parties, and the festival season. But just as you thought the season is over, Area Event is announcing the return of the one-of-a-kind Electric Adventure, the only music festival held on the sunny beaches of Atlantic City, for it’s fifth year anniversary bash on September 24 and 25, extending your time for fun in the sun just a little longer.


John Dimatteo, founder of Area Event says, “For 2016, Electric Adventure is taking the best parts of our 4 year history: the amusement rides, the beachfront location, and moving to a new festival site within Atlantic City adjacent to the world Famous Steel Pier. The Steel Pier will be accessible to all festival guests this weekend. The pier has a private entrance to the Ocean front beaches where you will find our stages, interactive areas, art installations, VIP Areas, additional concession areas, volleyball, hammocks, Lounge chairs and so much more for an all encompassing festival site." 

 EA FESTIVAL-GOERS SPOKE AND WE LISTENED

We asked last year’s festival attendees what their biggest gripes were and completely overhauled the event with their suggestions in mind to provide a better overall festival experience! This year’s event will boast several major improvements to address these concerns.
  • A major concessionaire for quicker/efficient drink lines 
  • Improved and new Security Team
  • An enhanced VIP experience (for VIPs 21+ Only)
  • Affordable Lodging for Traveling Attendees
  • Top-of-the-line Production & Stage Design: led by former producer of Ultra Miami - Lee Heiman of Track Marketing
  • Improved Site Design: walkways through sand, strategically placed stages
  • More water stations + rest/shade stations
  • A more diverse Line-up than ever before! 
Electric Adventure’s prime location will also host a number of pre-parties and after-parties at the Jersey Shore’s numerous clubs, located just steps from the festival site. The presale will be released on June 24th at 10am and weekend passes start at a reasonable $99. Additionally ANYONE who purchased VIP Tickets last year will receive a 25% discount and no service fees for a 2016 VIP Ticket! Electric Adventure will unveil this year's talent and additional announcements in July and beyond, stay tuned! 


About Electric Adventure:
What started in 2012 at Six Flags Great Adventure Theme park as a one day, one stage festival with only 6 artists and almost 6,000 attendees has turned into one of most celebrated electronic dance music festivals in the US. Due to its massive success, in just a year Electric Adventure saw a 300% increase in total attendance of over the two-day run. Since then, the festival has evolved even further, moving to Seaside Heights in 2014. 

The artists featured on the talent roster over the years has grown exponentially as well, including star-studded names like Blasterjaxx, Disco Fries, DJ Snake, D.O.D., Dzeko & Torres, Flux Pavillion, GTA, Headhunterz, Noisecontrollers + many more. For 2015, EA moved to the casino town of Atlantic City. This time expanding to 6 stages with over 125 artists and top names like Kygo, Dillon Francis, Pretty Lights, G-Eazy and Big Gigantic. The festival attendance was the largest yet at nearly 20,000 patrons over August 1st and 2nd 2015. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details and updates as they become available!