Online Music Festivals

While all upcoming concerts have been cancelled, artists move online to provide fans with an at-home live music experience through virtual festivals.

By Hunter Carroll

#1: Digital Mirage

Digital Mirage, organized by Proximity Records, as well as the Los Angeles-based event organizer Brownies and Lemonade, took place from April 3-5. The event was streamed over YouTube for three days and raised over $300,000 for Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, an organization that provides financial assistance to career musicians and music industry workers. The lineup featured popular electronic artists like Louis the Child, Alison Wonderland and Kaskade. Over the three days, the event has more than 1 million attendees, setting a new standard for virtual music festivals to come. 

Pluko | Digital Mirage 2020

Pluko’s set was my favorite of the entire weekend. At just 18 years old, Sam Martinsen, also known as Pluko, has already seen incredible success, including support from the popular electronic group Odesza, who signed him to their Foreign Family Collective in 2018. This set stood out to me because of the use of almost all original tracks at such a young age. It was also fun to watch because he played a live set instead of mixing his tracks, which can be seen in the video link above.

Medasin | Digital Mirage 2020

Grant Nelson, also known as Medasin, has found success in recent years, especially in 2017 with remixes for Portugal. The Man and Martin Garrix. In 2018, he released an album titled “Irene,” and he went on tour for that album as well. Just recently, he released his second album titled “RIPPLS.” His set for Digital Mirage gave off a very chill, electronic vibe, with some of his own music, including one of my favorites from his new album titled “Melody X.”

#2: Room Service Virtual Music Festival

After the success of Digital Mirage, another virtual music festival is set to take place from April 24-26. The event is presented by Andy King, famous for his role in the Fyre Fest documentary on Netflix, as well as Chill Nation and Trap Nation. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, as well as Feeding America, where $1 provides 10 meals to those in need to help those affected by COVID-19.

Kasbo | Room Service Music Festival 2020

Carl Garsbo, also known as Kasbo, is known for his chill electronic music. He gained popularity in 2013 and has continued this success through today. Like Pluko, Kasbo was also signed to the Foreign Family Collective and has had multiple world tours since then.  

Whethan | Room Service Music Festival 2020

Ethan Snoreck, also known as Whethan, is a 20 year old producer from Chicago. He is known for many of his songs, including his hit “Can’t Hide” featuring Ashe, as well as his Life of a Wallflower EP that he released in 2019.

Lane 8 | Room Service Music Festival 2020

Lane 8 is known for his progressive house style. He has many popular tracks, including his song “Road,” as well as remixes that he has done for Porter Robinson and Odesza.

#3: Boiler Room: Streaming From Isolation

Boiler Room has been streaming intimate DJ sets from around the world since they began in 2010. They have hosted events from major cities around the world, but hosting sets from artists homes was something new to come out of quarantine for them.

Disclosure | Boiler Room: Streaming From Isolation | #13

Made up of brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence, the electronic music group Disclosure began making music in 2010. They did not begin to gain popularity until 2012 with their song “Tenderly,” which was released in January, followed by one of the most popular songs, “Latch,” released in October. Recently this year, the duo released an EP titled “Ecstasy” which has become popular recently, gaining support from multiple artists. This specific mix features Guy Lawrence mixing groovy house tracks for an hour and a half from his home.

#4: Folamour | Defected Records Virtual Festival 2020

Similar to Boiler Room, Defected Records has been posting sets online for quite some time, but these live stream events during the COVID-19 pandemic have their highest number of viewers ever. This set from Folamour aired on March 27 as part of the Defected Records Virtual Festival.

#5 Marc Rebillet | Quaranstream

By creating all of his music live and on the spot, Marc Rebillet has brought attention to a new form of electronic music.

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