- The second edition of Toronto's Sound In Motion Festival boasted a mixture of international talent, from UK artists like Kode9 and Pinch to the US's DeepChord to homegrown acts like Basic Soul Unit. The not-for-profit event ran from from July 11th to 13th, and kicked off on a Thursday evening with a film night featuring selections from RA's Real Scenes series and music videos by the likes of Helena Hauff, Scratcha DVA and Motor City Drum Ensemble.
Friday's bill began with a panel discussion chaired by Pursuit Grooves. It featured Kode9, Pinch and local producers Marcus Visionary and Spyne, speaking about their influences and current work. Everyone's chairs—audience and panelists—were decked out with a SubPac, a cushion that sends bass frequencies of whatever you're listening to through your body, in an attempt to offer a different kind of immersive experience beyond the confines of the club. Kode9 claimed he's thinking of writing music specifically for the SubPac.
Later that night, techno bathed the church-like Great Hall, whose wraparound balcony and high ceiling gave a slightly pious feel to the evening. Standout sets came from Detroit legend Daniel Bell and Basic Soul Unit, who closed the night with deep house and melodic techno.
Situated directly below the Great Hall, the BLK BOX Theatre seemed the perfect venue for the subterranean bass rumble that took place there. As Pinch slowly built his set, the audience were a bit skeptical at first, but the patient were rewarded with a strong showing of old school dubstep worked into a seamless all-vinyl mix. Headliner Kode9 followed with a bang, striking a similar chord to his recent Rinse mix with an eclectic mélange of footwork, grime, dubstep and hip-hop.
Saturday afternoon ushered in Toronto's first ever Pirate Radio Bike Rave. Cyclists were told to bring FM radios and gather in a downtown park. A peddle-powered flatbed trailer showed up with producer Zaid Edghaim perched on top, his mixing board and speakers surrounding him. Edghaim's trailer headed up Bathurst Street with a throng of cyclists following, blaring his mix of techno and house from their radios.
The Bike Rave led to the closing event, a free outdoor party on the shores of Lake Ontario at Coronation Park. The opening sets by local acts Purpelle and Talal + Zoi were marred by a Formula 1 race being held just a stones' throw away. By the time Stefny Winter graced the stage, the roaring engines had ceased and the audience could concentrate on the sounds they came for. DeepChord's dubby set was the perfect soundtrack as the sun made its slow descent through the summer sky. The stand out performance, though, was Akufen, who managed to work a bit of Spaceape into his house-heavy set.
Despite some logistical problems, this year's festival was a success, if only because it felt like a strong community event. If it continues to improve, Sound In Motion could provide a useful platform for new local DJs and producers.