Queen of Hardstyle Takes Over Forbidden Kingdom [Event Review]

After one year and three months, the world as we know it is finally going back to our normal lives. Festival season is finally back, and clubs are re-opening once again. The weekend of June 11th & 12th it was DJ Lady Faith’s first festival performance in over a year at Insomniac Events Forbidden Kingdom in Orlando, FL. The dubstep festival brought over 25,000k bass-heads to one location the Sunset Cove Amphitheater. Originally started in 2018 at Sunset Cove Park in Boca Raton, FL until Pasquale Rotella and his brilliant Insomniac Events team took over. Sprawling across three stages New Kingdom Stage, Village Stage, and Forbidden Stage including a smaller Dragon stage.

America’s favorite Hardstyle DJ Lady Faith was a top headliner on this year’s ballot, paving the way for more female artists to headline massive festivals. “It makes me so happy seeing other female artists on the lineup with me, I would like to see more though”. Lady Faith says on the way to the festival, we were talking to REDRUM and how it is a lot harder for female artists to gain the respect and acknowledgment they actually deserve. “It’s always a pleasure meeting other DJs” - she adds. 

Photo Credit: Josiah McDonald @josiah.mc

Making her way to the Village Stage, the crowd is amped up for some Hardstyle. Amplifying the crowd immediately by playing her remix of the legendary hit Satisfaction by Benny Benassi. There was a huge crowd at her performance, everyone was dancing and jumping to the heavy beat the entire set. “It’s a beautiful site to see to finally be back at a festival with all of you!” Lady Faith says in the microphone. You can feel the vibes everywhere from the stage to the back of the crowd, with so many smiling faces. Heat lightning flashing in the sky, people dancing in the puddles to Hardstyle. Playing her newest songs Summer cover of the 80s anthem Cruel Summer, and a remix of Brittney Spears’ Baby One More Time. 

Photo Credit: Josiah McDonald @josiah.mc

The crowd bouncing to all the Hardstyle beats such as PLUR, We The People, Supernova. Lady Faith interacting with the crowd saying this is one of the best crowds and best experiences she had at a music festival. Fists pumping with an intensity of fury to heavy-hitting beats, the crowd moving and dancing to I like to Move it. Closing out her set with her new track, Speak My Mind but not without a group photo with the crowd keeping the incredible experience forever. 

Photo Credit: Josiah McDonald @josiah.mc

After her set, I asked Lady Faith how did she feel being able to perform again at festivals she replies with a huge smile on her face, “I love what I do, making music and performing is my drug I don’t need anything else. Seeing everyone’s smiling faces I can’t believe how happy I am”. 

The second day, multiple people came up and said Lady Faith was their favorite set, they couldn’t stop dancing. “Hearing that is the true cherry on top,” she said with satisfaction. Lady Faith has new music and new projects in the near future, stay connected to all social and music platforms. 

Photo Credit: Josiah McDonald @josiah.mc

Lady Faith: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | SoundCloud

Time Warp USA Returns [Event Review]

After a full week of recovery, its time to discuss the epic return of Time Warp. The world’s greatest techno event hailing from Mannheim the only festival where technology and music are combined to create the greatest techno experience ever. For the first time in five years, Time Warp returns to New York for a two-day event with the help of party promoters Teksupport. It all took place at the Bronx Expo Center last weekend November 22nd and 23rd. It was 19-hours of pure emotion and raw energy on the dance floor.

The set-up was two floors with two huge dance-floors, multiple bars and VIP areas for attendees. The coat check was not organized at all, when we first arrived it was closed off because it was overfull, there was only one coat check for this massive event. We went back to see the line and was open again, then discovered it was $8 and turned away. The line at the end of the event was even longer and unorganized. However, the music, production, and sound-system made up for the hassle. 

Photo Credit: Michael Poselski | Off Brand Project

The first night was wild and insane, arriving at the end of Reinier Zonneveld’s set. When first walking in my jaw dropped to the floor and the production was phenomenal. Pushing boundaries to another level, Teksupport did a fantastic job with sound, location, lineup, and recreation. Spreading across two floors and pure techno each artist played to their fullest. Some of the best sets of all time at a techno event. The phones were always out taking videos and pictures from the setup and lights. At times it was overwhelming from the incredible techno and production. Even though it was extremely crowded it was easy to move around the Expo Center, attendees were able to go in and out for toilets, food, and going to the second floor. Pan-Pot played on the first floor, dancing up front and center for the German duo. It was hard to leave to see other artists play because of Pan-Pot being so good. It was time for the return of Ricardo Villalobos, first time playing in the U.S. in 5 years! There was such a huge line to get to him it wasn’t worth waiting in the cold. Waiting to kill time at Richie Hawtin, after 20-30 mins we returned to the second floor to witness Ricardo Villalobos. The production on the second floor was completely different on the first floor, lights shooting down, felt like you were being transported or looking into what heaven may look like. It was absolutely mind-blowing, only unfortunate was Ricardo Villalobos’ performance guess the expectations were very high. Richie Hawtin cured everything is incredibly dark and seductive set one of the best of the night and weekend. Closing out with Belgian techno titan, Amelie Lens, her set was fast, powerful the definition of techno music. Everyone dancing and moving to her energetic set all the way to 7 AM. The sun was rising and it was time to go and be fresh ready for the second night. 

Photo Credit: Tyler Blomquist

Night two started off late but ended perfectly. Arriving in time for my personal favorite, Maceo Plex. Playing an uplifting and vibrant set with tracks like ‘Solitary Daze’, and ‘Love Somebody Else’ it was the best set of the night. Again front and center for Maceo Plex and then Loco Dice to close out. Both artists were dancing to the music you can feel the love and vibes from them and the entire crowd. Loco Dice played a fun set to close out Time Warp USA edition, everyone was dancing all around. Checking out Russian techno artist Nina Kraviz on the second floor, with her music and lights moving together in perfect harmony it brought tears to my eyes. Closing out with Loco Dice, for the last remaining minutes. Everyone applauded and cheered at the end, it was bittersweet and unbelievable how quick the weekend went. However, it will be one of the most memorable weekends ever. 

Photo Credit: Tyler Blomquist

It has already been announced that Time Warp will return to the States in 2020, bringing the same technology, vibes, and imagination to create another spectacular weekend with the techno community in the New York region. Most people claimed that this year Time Warp was better than the one held five years ago. It was an incredible experience getting a look at what Time Warp is all about, now wanting to go the one in Germany even more from the entire event. 

Take a deeper look inside Time Warp!

Photo Credit: Michael Poselski | Off Brand Project

Top favorite Sets: 

Richie Hawtin

Maceo Plex

Amelie Lens