Local Spins’ ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’ columnist Todd Ernst reveals his top picks for this weekend’s electronic music smorgasbord at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park. The preview, schedule and more.
Lighting Up Belknap Again: Breakaway returns to Grand Rapids this weekend. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
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Last year, I referred to it as a “force-multiplier-moment” for Michigan’s edition of the Breakaway Music Festival in its booking of ‘legacy acts’ Deadmau5 and Tiësto.
The city responded en masse, and two of electronic music’s largest artists did not let West Michigan down. However, it did leave me wondering: After years of top=shelf acts like the Chainsmokers, Illenium and Kaskade, along with the aforementioned, where exactly do they go from here?
The obvious answer is artists such as Dom Dolla, John Summit and Mau P to name just a few.
Headlining Saturday Night: Philadelphia DJ/producer Marshmello. (Courtesy Photo)
How about new fan faves Charlotte de Witte and Sara Landry, or house hero Green Velvet or femme house artist LP Giobbi? Perhaps even living legends Carl Cox and Fat Boy Slim?
The 2024 lineup certainly boasts well-known headliners such as Slander, Louis the Child, Marshmello and Alison Wonderland.
Aside from that, and outside of the bass/dubstep circles, there was a bit of a sense of wonderment about the rest of the roster. That, and where in the world are they going to put all of these artists?
“For Breakaway Michigan (Grand Rapids) we’re always chatting with our local market partners and team who they’re interested in seeing at the festival the next year. We strive to bring some of the top DJ talent year over year, although the weekend is typically a busy European weekend for DJs, which limits certain artist’s availability to perform in the U.S.,” Breakaway’s talent buyer Mike Advey told Local Spins.
“From a regional perspective, since the festival is located in between Chicago and Detroit, it can be challenging in terms of artist radiuses.”
(Radius clauses often prohibit artists from performing within a certain time period or distance — often within 90 days and/or 90 miles — from another festival or venue because oversaturation can potentially lead to a drop in ticket sales.)
This year, MiEntertainment Group and Prime Social Group saw an opportunity to add another stage to the festival.
Louis the Child: Unleashing a Friday night “playground set.” (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
“We’re excited for another year of Breakaway in Grand Rapids. We have one of the world’s hottest DJs, Marshmello, and expect an amazing weekend of music in Belknap Park,” said MiEntertainment Group’s Jenna Meyer. “We’ve added a second stage this year and can’t wait to unveil some new activations at the park for this festival.”
Added Advey: “The idea has always been to get ahead of next year’s talent booking process as soon as possible, especially with some of our headliners, and we always enjoy bringing a mix of different dance music genres that we attempt to curate specifically for Grand Rapids fans’ musical tastes.
“This year specifically, we’re thrilled to bring our Launch Pad (second stage) for the first time ever, allowing us to almost double the size of our lineup and give fans a new way to experience their favorite artists at the festival.”
Breakaway now features signature events in 11 different markets, including Miami Music Week and a new event at Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas, something that led EDM Awards to crown Breakaway as “Best Festival Series.”
As for this weekend’s lineup, here are a handful of artists that will not disappoint Grand Rapids festivalgoers and will certainly expand their horizons with electronic music tastemakers.
Bob Moses (Photo/Zackery Michael)
Bob Moses (7:35 p.m. Friday, Main Stage) – In an earlier effort of Looking for the Perfect Beat I touched on a phenomenon I witnessed during a Bob Moses set at Electric Forest — a swagger-dance if you will. The Vancouver-based duo first made their mark in 2016 when their hit single, “Tearing Me up,” won a Grammy Award for best remixed recording. It’s not an exaggeration to suggest the crowd quite literally loses themselves during a Bob Moses performance. The accomplished DJs will unfurl a club set as opposed to a full-band performance.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobmosesmusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LHsnRBUYhFyt01PdKXAF5
Mojave Grey (Courtesy Photo)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mojavegrey
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4RHpnWpQb7IkQLmp10YKRI
Noizu (Courtesy Photo)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noizusound
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VRyybsQu0MDG0F2LBxnv7
Deeper Purpose (Courtesy Photo)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeperpurpose
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/10Bo1ofGMWr6hFD7OM7W7r
Dylan Delato (Courtesy Photo)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delato_music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ZAuCZ8WiXMqG84F5iKY1m
GETTING TO BELKNAP PARK & OTHER PRO-USER TIPS
TICKETS: Breakaway offers different tiers of tickets for attendees. General admission weekend passes are $169, with an “Ultra VIP” option for $999. General admission day passes are $99, with discounted college student tickets available for $70 on Friday and $65 on Saturday. Get tickets online here.
POST-SHOW PARTIES: Official Breakaway after-parties take place at Elevation inside The Intersection in Grand Rapids on both nights, with doors opening at 10 p.m. Friday’s lineup features Trivecta, Smoakland and Riink. Saturday will feature ARMNHMR, Lowke and D-Wrex. Advance tickets are $25-$30; $35 day of show. Get details, tickets at sectionlive.com.
THE SETTING: One of the “headliners” for lack of better words at Breakaway has always been the natural setting of Belknap Park. While primarily known for its ice arena, ball diamonds and pickleball courts, the park also features an earthwork sculpture called Grand Rapids Project X, created by artist Robert Morris, and cut into the hillside. At the top of the hill, attendees get a bird’s eye view of the action.
PARKING: If you’re driving, it’s easiest to park a few blocks west in the Monroe North area, as it is a safe and short walk to Belknap Park. Please consider that if you want events like Breakaway to continue, it helps to be respectful of the surrounding area by not littering and the like. VIP parking passes are sold out. Keep an eye on Breakaway’s social media feeds for real-time updates and optimal Lyft/Uber pick-up and drop-off areas.
Parents, if you’re thinking of dropping off your kids and returning for a pickup later, might I suggest the Embassy Suites on Monroe or Canal Park. There are plenty of people walking this same path, so they will be safe and in good company. Also, there are plenty of local establishments to hang out at if you’re looking to have a date night while the kids are off at the show.
RESPECT THE VENUE AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD: It always helps to remember to be a good steward of your city as we aren’t afforded opportunities like Breakaway very often in Grand Rapids. Small gestures such as picking up trash, helping strangers find their way, and thanking people like Grand Rapids police and firefighters for their respective efforts can go a long way toward establishing the long-term success of Breakaway.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Todd Ernst has been an electronic music DJ and promoter for 30+ years, and performs as the artist TELLURIUM. While his days are spent as the owner of an indie real estate brokerage; he also owns EXSIGN, which is an experiential entity that designs and manages corporate, non-profit and nightlife events like Irish On Ionia and TEDxGrandRapids. He regularly provides insights into the electronic music world with his ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’ columns at Local Spins.
BREAKAWAY 2024: THE SCHEDULES
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