Ekali at the Park

Our favourite stunt pulled by VanCity’s own Nathan Shaw (aka Ekali) was at the Live at Squamish outdoor music festival in 2011. Having just joined Said the Whale as the band’s bassist, they mounted the stage as an unknown indie band called Panda Watch, including dressing up in panda costumes, to obfuscate the festival policy on returning bands, and then unmasked their true identities in front of their curious audience. Awesome.

At today’s FVDED in the Park outdoor music festival, Nathan is unmasked as an artist in his domain: producer, songwriter and performer. His unmistakable sound is a crafted, confident mashup of hip hop, bass music and trap, showcased in his recent Coachella mix from April this year.

Today’s set was just as architected and articulate. Complete with remixes for Australia’s Flume (Smoke and Retribution) and What So Not (Gemini), he also placed in his new original track with Vanessa Elisha “I Won’t Lie”.

With festival season in full swing now, it is a real pleasure to have Blueprint and Live Nation program our local homegrowns, like Ekali, Humans and Kaytranada, into FVDED in the Park alongside larger acts, such as Jack Ü, Shiba San, Anna Lunoe and ZEDD.

Let the bass kick, Ekali. I can’t stop.

Ekali performed at the Northwest Stage on Saturday, July 2nd at FVDED in the Park at Holland Park, Surrey City Centre.