Mysteryland 2014 USA: Simply The Best EDM Festival in the US

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We’re only a week removed from the first ever Mysteryland USA that took place on the original Woodstock Grounds in Bethel Woods, yet we still can’t help but reminisce and dream of going back. ID&T, the Dutch Company that has brought Mysteryland to Europe for the last 20 years  (longest running EDM festival in the world), took a leap of faith by moving its production and vision to the US.  We feel it has paid off as tens of thousands of EDM fans and ravers  from all over the US and the World attended and are now waiting for more.

From the moment we were able to pitch our tents, to the moment we saw the last firework pop during the ending ceremony, we were hooked. Not only was this festival full on headlining DJs (Kaskade, Moby, Showtek, Dillon Francis and Nervo just to name a few), it also featured a large array of Djs from popular sub-genres such as tech house, hardstyle and techno. It was fun exploring the different stages and tents to expand our musical palette (especially when hiding from the rain on Saturday).

The music was not the only thing that captured our hearts. The festival grounds themselves were something to marvel at, as most of the festival overlooked our distant camping grounds. Art pieces and installations such as “The Wishing Tree” and “Love Chappel” scattered across the grounds gave everyone reason to explore beyond the beaten path.

From an organizational standpoint, the festival was a success for many reasons. Rarely did we see or hear of anyone that needed desperate medical attention. The festival was very clean on the campsite and inside the festival grounds. Security was everywhere and we never had a run in with rude or angry patrons. Good vibes were in the air and it could be due to the are restrictions as the festival was 21+.  Bathrooms were plentiful and so were the water refill stations. Lockers were available for renting inside the campsite and festival grounds both if which our group took advantage of. Recharge stations for phones were cleverly placed in Candle decorations down the main pathway to the campground. Even the payment system with your festival wristband (pictured below)
was great, making it pointless to bring a wallet or cash with you anywhere.Photo May 23, 3 03 52 PM

In our opinion, this is one of the best and must-see festivals. We will be attending MysteryLand if it returns and hope to see all of you there for the amazing experience!

PHOTO ALBUM COMING SOON…
For now, check out our CLOSING CEREMONY VIDEO!!!!

Afrojack – Forget The World Review [2/4]

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Dutch Dj, Afrojack broke out into the scene nearly 4 years ago with his smash Hit “Take over Control” and in that short time not only did he gain a cult following but also graced some of the largest EDM Festivals in the world. That being said I have yet to see him bring his “A” game to Chicago  as even his headlining of 2012’s Spring Awakening Music Festival was a snooze. To no surprise his first studio album “Forget the World” also misses the mark in a big way. I will not penalize an artist for changing styles, but Afrojack has not been around long enough or at the Top for long enough to change things up now (unlike Tiesto and Srkillex). “Forget The World” is a mediocre Pop album at best,. The “hit” single “Spark” very well set the mood for the rest of the album and warns us that we will not enjoy what we hear. A select number of songs show potential and get you unnecessarily hyped up as the overload of soft lyrics kills any drop or melody you could rage to.  I give this album a very well deserved ¼
-Marcin

Afrojack to me was one of the first artists I’ve ever listened which got me into electronic music, along with Chuckle and Laidback Luke. A true inspiration in my life, and one of the main reasons I started Djing. This album though.it was kind of disappointing. Way too many lyrics, the track ‘Mexico’ threw me off completely. I’m all for new style of music, and change but this just did not seem like the typical Afrojack style per say. This was probably worse than Avicii’s attempt to mix country and electronic dance music. All in all I give these album 2/4 stars. Simply because I truly like the track ‘Keep Our Love Alive’. Other than that, true disappointment by Mr. Van Der Wall.
-Mario U

Why_So_Chi_neon_review 2 Afrojack:” Forget the World”? Seems more to me like “Forget Afrojack.” As I never really was a fan of Afrojack I did not have any high expectations of this album, but I found myself almost half asleep listening to this album. Afojack’s efforts at making  good songs by featuring Snoop Dog and not to mention Sting singing about homeless people seems quite ridiculous to me. I’ll give this album a 1/4. snoozeeee!
-Cathy

I actually like Afrojack’s new album. My favorite track I would have to say is ‘Ten Feet Tall’. It just sounds like a track that would get the crowd going and jumping, and everyone loves an EDM song you can sing along with. Also the track called ‘Born To Run’ is great. It sounds like it will be a big hit of the summer. The lyrics gives me the chills. Also, ‘Catch Tomorrow’ is a great track. Over all, I really enjoy his new album and am not considering seeing him this summer! 3/4
-Rachel

Grammy Award-winning DJ, Afrojack, released his first debut album “Forget the World. The Album includes popular songs like Ten Feet Tall and collabs with Sting, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, and Snoop Dogg. Afrojack’s fresh new tracks were made for dancing and will highlight the sets at music festivals this summer. Overall, the album deserves 3 out of 4 for experimental values with artists new to the EDM scene and the vibes it emits.
– Nina

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SAMF After Parties!!

Friday

Eric Prydz @ The Mid – BUY TICKETS
Bingo Players & glAdiator @ Concord Music Hall – BUY TICKETS
Thomas Gold @ Studio Paris – BUY TICKETS
Oliver @ Primary Nightclub – BUY TICKETS

Saturday

Diplo @ The Mid – BUY TICKETS
Sander Van Doorn with special guest @ Concord Music Hall – BUY TICKETS
Cajmere @ Soundbar – BUY TICKETS
Andy C @ Evil Olive – BUY TICKETS
Tommy Trash Yacht Party – BUY TICKETS

Sunday

Kaskade @ The Mid – BUY TICKETS
Steve Aoki & Nervo @ Concord Music Hall – BUY TICKETS
Dillon Francis @ Transit – BUY TICKETS
Candyland @ Roof on the Wit – BUY TICKETS
Porn and Chicken @ Evil Olive – BUY TICKETS

Headhunterz goes hard with style in Chicago!

Friday May 23rd 8:00 P.M. doors opened at The Concord Music hall. People from all over the Chicago-land area piled in for a night that would start off a great Memorial day weekend. Atmosphere was pretty calm and security made sure to keep a hassle-free entrance that night. Opening acts were Animale and Xposur who warmed up the crowd by playing a majority of deep house music. The night began and music set the tone. Some shuffle/ footwork battles busted out on the dance floor during the opening acts, personally I waited to bring out “the moves” until the main act. Anticipation filled the air as the crowded dance floor waited for the one and only Willem Rebergen, also know as Headhunterz.

I was never a fan of hardstyle until I first witnessed it for myself live back in October 2013, main dj just happened to be Headhunterz. The sound and feel of 150+ BPM changed my perspective on hardstyle forever. His return to Chicago was no disappointment.

Headhunterz started off his set with his very own Dragonborn, very first sign of that kick drum started off the madness. I’m sure pedestrians outside on the corner of Milwaukee and Armitage Avenue felt the intensity that is hardstyle. Ravers jumped, bodies flew, and probably the greatest part, the floor shook non-stop. The only people that kept their energy mellow were the hard-working employees of The Concord Music hall. Those with enough stamina displayed their footwork, their hardcore shuffle, jumped like no other with their jumpstyle, and expressed their fun as they hopped throughout the night. Rebergem threw in some trap music and “turned the crowd into a mosh pit” with his remix of Flosstradamus’ Mosh Pit. I know for a fact some people came out of it a bit bruised and battered. Other songs that many may have recognized were Colors, Never Say Goodbye, and Spaceman. Lasers and strobe lights entertained the visuals as the music stimulated the ears. The energy of the room remained on high from the beginning to the end of Rebergen’s set. Confetti filled the air as he closed his set with his remix of Kaskade’s Lessons in Love.

A big “Thank You!” to Headhunterz from the WhySoChi family and all of Chicago for giving us a show that’s one for the books. Image