QUEBEC - FESTIVAL FEATURE
IGLOOFEST brings everyone out in the cold. Now that the holidays
are behind us and we’ve brought in the New Year in style, we are just days
away from Montreal’s much-anticipated and world-famous 8th annual
Igloofest. For those of you are just hearing about it for the first time, you’ll
definitely want to make sure you are part of this very special event.
“They bring so much to Montreal. They changed the face of music here, they don’t play any
commercial music. It’s a good thing we have it in Montreal, we’re very lucky, and it’s a blessing
to be a part of it this year, says Mark Perras, another performer this year.In short, Igloofest is a
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unique, sub-zero, dead-of-winter, electronic music festival in the Old Port of Montreal. The idea
first started in 2007, and could be described as a winter party-land for adults, filled with dazzling
ice sculptures, ice bars, igloos, frigid cold weather and a massive, scorchin’- hot dance floor.
“We wanted people to reclaim winter, to rediscover winter, to go out and enjoy it! People needed
to party and enjoy themselves and this was a great context. We really tried to give people a
good reason to go out, says Nicolas Cournoyer, General Director & Co-Founder of Piknic
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Electronik and Igloofest.
Since its beginning, Igloofest has grown exponentially in size and popularity each year. Last
year was the first time the festival had been stretched out over four consecutive weekends and
after seeing the positive results, the same will be done for Igloofest 2014.
“It started out as one weekend of two days, but we realized that people really needed this kind
of stuff. So that’s why we added a second weekend, a third weekend, and last year we put a
fourth one so we’re really surprised at how it’s grown, Cournoyer says.
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“The evolution from the few first parties until now; it’s grown bigger in popularity and they
have more weekends. Before it was only one weekend, but since then it’s grown bigger
production and popularity wise, Mistress Barbara says.
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Igloofesters will experience electronic music genres ranging from techno, tech-house, house,
minimal, dub-step and bass music. Some of the DJs who have brought their international
flavours to previous Igloofests are Joris Voorn, Nic Fanciulli, Sébastien Léger, Adam Freeland
and Chris Liebing. The festival organizers book different DJs every year so you can always expect
to have a large variety of artists and music.
“These guys really make sure they don’t book the same DJs again. If I’m not mistaken, I will
be the first DJ they’ve officially brought back for a second time and that’s really special, Mistress
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Barbara says.
A strong international presence can be felt due to both the DJs playing the event, and the colossal
crowds attending each and every show, which makes for a truly fantastic vibe. Dance-music
lovers, both Quebecers and Canadians from all across the country, as well as international
visitors, will find it to be an open social atmosphere. This positive attitude can be felt all
throughout the venue as Igloofesters enjoy the frosty festivities.
“Social interaction is made so easy. There are a lot of people talking to other people they don’t
even know. One of the reasons that the event is so popular is the ambiance, and people bring
their state of mind and it really helps, Cournoyer says.
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Whether you are into electronic music or not, there is lots of winter fun to be had, including tug
of war, ice slides, ice drums, marshmallow-roasting and the lovely ambiance, in general, of Old
Montreal in the snowy winter.
“People are brought back to their childhood, playing outside, and it doesn’t matter how you
dress - there is a really cool vibe and spirit around it, Cournoyer.
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The sheer size of the venue grounds in Old Montreal’s Jacques Cartier Quay
allows for over 16 bars and two stages. If you’re in the mood for something
warm, you can grab a hot chocolate or vin-chaud, and of course there is
Jagermister and Sopporo. If you need a break from the cold, there are
warm-up stations where you can browse the Igloofest boutique and order
poutine or pizza.
Aside from the music itself, perhaps the most entertaining part of Igloofest
is the outfits. It is absolutely hilarious to see some of the outrageous
costumes that people show up in, and nothing is over-the- top. Igloofest
deems it appropriate, and strongly encourages one and all to sport a tac