Happy Halloween from C+A+D
If you’re no stranger to these parts, you know we fux with HARD. Let’s rewind three or so years…HARD Haunted Mansion 2008. Soulwax, Justice, DJAM (RIP), Deadmau5, 2ManyDJs, sebastiAn, Boys Noize. The rave that made sense of it all for America. These artists contributed to one of the most monumental concerts I’ve ever been to, if not THE. The culture was alive and well. Not a crowd of people fighting to be in the front, but a crowd of people who were there for the love of this music. Year after year HARD puts on the best Halloween party in the world for many reasons: the vibes, the location, the venue, the artists, the people. All of these have kept me going for the last three years and will keep me going for years to come. This year’s lineup is stacked with HARD classics and the future of legit electro from around the world. Yeah, we’ll be there both days. Here’s our map of where we’re going to be and why you should be there too.
If you want to get the separate playlists we made for each night, go to our facebook! They’re posted in the photos.
Friday 10/28
535-615 : The Knocks HARDER Stage
What better way to start Halloween weekend than with bouncy feelgood dance music? You tell me. The Knocks hail from the big apple and are what NME Magazine dubs one of the “20 hottest producers in music right now.” For fans of Calvin Harris, Duck Sauce, Treasure Fingers.
615-715 : Annie Mac HARD Stage
This gal is the voice of what’s new and hot in the dance music scene. She’s got her own show on BBC’s Radio 1, and a lot of big names trust her. She’s down with the likes of A-Trak, Dillon Francis, Jack Beats, etc. If THAT’s not enough, scope her soundcloud for what to expect.
720-820 : SBTRKT HARD Stage
SBTRKT has been making his way on the past few HARD bills, but I looked over him up until his self-titled album came out. It’s some of that more low key, indie dubstep that fans of James Blake, or even Magnetic Man, would probably enjoy. Drum machines + live drums + singing + masks = a creative live show that’s not to be missed.
SBTRKT – Trials of the Past
825-915 : Housemeister HARDER Stage
This lad has come up a lot in the Boys Noize interviews I’ve read. I know they’ve been working together a lot, especially on the track below, and Boys Noize said that Housemeister is one of the more slept on artists of the year. I stand with Boys Noize.
Housemeister – Music Is Awesome (Boys Noize Remix)
940-1055 : 2 Many DJs HARD Stage
The mash up extraordinaires! 2 Many DJ’s is the monicker of the two Dewaele brothers from night two’s headlining act, Soulwax. These guys threw down one of the most memorable sets of the year during the first night of Haunted Mansion 2009. AND they and Deadmau5 ended up being the special guests for the second night as well! They’re known for mixing and mashing anything from classic rock, to modern indie, to the dirtiest, danciest electro of all time. All the while, they pay tribute to the artists by video DJing their respected album art! It’s a pretty unique show that I’ll never tire of and only this video could explain.
1110-1155 : Fat Boy Slim HARD Stage
All I know about this guy besides the fact that he claims the ownership to this timeless classic, is that he’s one of the more respected old school producers in the game. If HARD trusts him enough to put him at a headlining spot, then I’ll take my chances! Here is HARD’s creator Gary Richards’ favorite song:
1155-1245 : Zeds Dead HARDER Stage
Just when we though the lineup couldn’t get any better, the filth mastas Zeds Dead get added to the bill. Saw these guys at EDC this year, but the stage they were on had the wackest sound. The speakers couldn’t handle their slicing wobs, but their energy got the crowd going. Stoked to see these guys on a sound system that is worthy of their talent.
Zeds Dead – Rude Boy ft. Omar LynX
1245-150 : Tiga HARDER Stage
Tiga is a dance machine. With a peculiar style that consists of his seductive voice on twisted synths, we’ll undoubtedly be in for something fresh. I’ve always been keen to the sounds that have that super ravy feel, the sounds that force you to blow out your ear drums next to a speaker pumping bass. His songs tend to be pretty light hearted and comical, so I’m expecting nothing less than a fun ass set!
Tiga – Shoes
Saturday 10/29
630-615 : Clockwork HARDER Stage
Another LA born wonder boy, getting mad love from HARD and GottaDanceDirty, as they’ve signed them to their microlabel: Dirty Nitrus Records. His songs seem more along the line of something I’d rather hear live than through headphones, so this will be his test. Get 100% in the bitch!
Avicii – Levels (Clockwork Remix)
720-820 : GOOSE HARD Stage
These guys were recommended to me from last.fm because of the countless plays I gave Soulwax, and it really made sense. Classic nu rave sound. Hard synths, controlling vocals, live instruments. Rock meets electro. You may recognize Bloody Beetroots remix of their song. These are the kind of genres I loved to see intertwined, especially live.
GOOSE – Low Mode
Goose – Black Gloves (Bloody Beetroots Remix)
835-930 : Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) HARDER Stage
My heart nearly broke when I saw that TEED and Fake Blood’s set times overlapped with the first run of the times. After Zeds Dead and Caspa got added, everything couldn’t have lined up more perfectly. Lucky for us, the positives to this just don’t seem to let up! TEED’s first HARD appearance was at HARD13 in March. His high energy sets are known for dinosaur dancers, singing from the man him self, and some of the most quality deep house you could ask for. Just listen to this song and imagine a crowd’s response. Unreal.
TEED – Household Goods
930-1030 : Fake Blood HARD Stage
This will be my fourth time around seeing this guy, and it all goes back to that ravy sound that is everything and more when it’s being played live. Fake Blood has been doing lots of work underground in preparation of his EP and the development of his live set. Hopefully he’s ready in time for Haunted Mansion, because a live set would put him above and beyond most DJ performances I’ve seen live. His song selection is impeccable and his style is unmatched. A true legend in the making.
Fake Blood – Voices
1030-1130 : Skrillex HARDER Stage
As much as I love to see Skrillex live, his sets have become a been-there-done-that type of deal. His sets are always packed with energy, but I feel like I’m constantly surrounded by people I don’t want to be surrounded by. I love the guy. I love going mental to his sets. He’s quite a performer…despite his annoying voice, BUT my focus would be on getting the most optimal spot for Soulwax through the next two acts.
Skrillex – San Diego VIP
1130-1230 : Major Lazer HARDER Stage
The only time Major Lazer and their barking MC gave me a run for my money, was HARD Summer 2010 when they had the crazy live show with the Chinese dragons! I got a video of it so scope it below. To be honest I’m dreading hearing “Pon De Flor” again, but their sets are usually a lot of fun. The crowd eats that shit up and the vibes are pretty contagious.
1250-150 : Soulwax HARD Stage
It surprises me how underrated these guys seem to be. It may be just an American thing. Soulwax is too busy touring the entire world, where they’re loved by thousands, and where they put together one of the greatest sets I’ve bared witness. I’m big into rock and electro, and no one bring it together better than Soulwax. Light blue suits portray their class, but a closer look shows that everything is loosened up, as if they’re ready to get down to business. Which they are, because shortly after they start and for an hour thereafter, your face and ears get f*cked. There’s something about live drums that always captivates me. At rock shows, it’s all I watch. It’s the backbone of the whole set. If he fucks up, everyone fucks up. But here, their drummer sets the beat and goes crazy from start to finish. They play almost everything off ‘Nite Versions’ and ALWAYS leave you itching for more. This marks the 3 year anniversary of when I first saw their eye opening performance, and I can’t really express how much this means to me in words. If you want to be guaranteed a life changing set, watch them. Skream + Benga are great, but they will be back. You’re just going to have to trust me on this one.
Soulwax – E Talking
There you have it everyone. Here’s where you’ll find us both nights! I made 10+ song playlist for both nights that you can get on our facebook. The links are there with a picture of the songs so you can see what’s up. Drink lots of water and be safe! I’m gonna be Thomas the tank engine so look out for me. Chugga Chugga
