Complete with Steve Aoki’s iconic cake-facing and confetti-popping performances, VELD was one of Toronto’s biggest outdoor parties to remember this summer.
At the beginning of each day of the three-day festival, lines of thousands of people swarmed Downsview Park, as they carried water bags and group signs in hand.
As soon as you entered the park, the festival resembled a video game simulation with a carnival-sized ferris wheel near one one of the hills, people wearing brightly-coloured garnets and sparkly makeup, and groups of friends dancing nonstop together.
Each day had its own theme, including retro Saturday and neon Sunday. People followed the clothing assignment coming in with colourful fits, bright makeup, and bedazzled faces.
Clothing company Shein also posted a pop-up near the food stalls with a photobooth and free merchandise, including foldable fans for the intense heat.
The main stage drew in a slew of people eager to watch headliners like Marshmello, Alok, Frank Walker, and Kaskade.
In between the artists, professional shuffle dance groups also performed routines to hype up the crowd.
Marshmello played top hits from his It’s Riddim Time EP he released this year, including “Loaded,” and “T3R4RS.” The crowd also went crazy for pop hits that Marshmello spinned on, like Tyla’s “Water,” Khalid’s “Silence,” and Anne-Marie’s “Friends.”
Festival-goers even dressed up in Marshmello heads and worldwide house music brand Monstercat made an appearance in costume as well.
Growing artist Max Styler also wowed the crowd with his singles from this year, including “Tarantula,” “Follow Me,” and “Lights Out.”
Attendees were particularly excited when DJ Steve Aoki came on stage for his set on Saturday, waving “Cake me” signs around in the air, referring to his signature move of throwing cake at a fan’s face during his concerts. Near the end of his set, a shirtless Aoki, with a flowing mane, ran out into the crowd with a sheet cake in hand and returned back to the stage to throw five more.
On Sunday, Kream, Alesso, and Alok hit the stage and threw some of the most heart-pumping music.
People were singing along in sync to Alesso’s hit songs, including “Heroes,” “If I lose myself,” and “Let me Go.”
Sunday night’s finale was the most memorable with a UFO light show for the last headliner, Martin Garrix.
People screamed out his name as they put their fists in the air and jumped up and down to his beats.
As it got darker, more lights, fire, and smoke filled the park to end this year’s electronic music festival.
