dance parties toronto

The top 5 dance parties in Toronto May 2014

The top dance parties in Toronto show promoters have been spending all winter getting ready for spring, and have now unleashed a flood of large-scale events on the city. A quick look at the concert calendar this month alone proves that the line between EDM culture and the mainstream pop world is increasingly meaningless, with mega-stars like Avicii playing Rogers Centre and scoring hits on new country radio. However, as much fun as giant outdoor festivals can be, a luxuriously long set by a great DJ in a club is an experience any experienced partier cherishes.

Uma Nota / May 10 / Mojo Lounge / 10pm / $10
Uma Nota is a dependably great dance party for lovers of Afro-Brazilian rhythms and global bass music. For this edition, they're bringing back NYC DJ Uproot Andy, as well as a return performance by forward-thinking Toronto percussion ensemble Maracatu Mar Aberto. As always, resident DJ General Eclectic will also be rocking the decks.

Electric Island / May 19 / Toronto Island / 1:30pm / $35
Hopefully the weather will cooperate with the first Electric Island party of the year on Toronto Island. Although, even if it is grey and drizzly, that likely won't stop many from getting on the ferry to hear German techno icon Sven Vath. Make sure you get there early catch rising star Daniel Avery, even if you are still hung over from the night before.

Ricardo Villalobos / May 30 / Coda / 10pm / $35
Eccentric Chilean-German DJ/producer Ricardo Villalobos is a bit of a legend in certain circles, and for good reason. Unlike most big-name DJs, he doesn't play Toronto very often, so his Coda debut is highly anticipated. He could fill the club on his own without a problem, but they've also stacked the bill with Chicago-Toronto house icon DJ Sneak, Doc Martin, and Nitin.

Seth Troxler / May 30 / Maison Mercer / 10pm / $20
Seth Troxler may be Berlin-based now, but his DJ sets still reflect his Detroit roots more. His quirky sense of humour cuts through the tech-house thump with an eagerness to surprise and play with the audience's expectations.

Mothership Tour 2014 / May 30-31 / Echo Beach / 5pm / $75
We've heard your Skrillex jokes, and a lot of them are pretty funny, but the guy is a superstar for a reason, and it definitely isn't his haircut. Haters can hate, but the guy knows how to rock a giant festival stage. And really, what's wrong with bass lines that sound like Transformers puking?

Photo via Resident Advisor. Benjamin Boles is on Twitter.


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