Open Radius Day One Delivered on Every Front
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Day One of Open Radius was a vibe. The audience’s energy was immaculate—yes it was bolstered by the stellar acts, but the communal umbrella of house music was the driving force behind the event's air of camaraderie.
From traditional ‘raver’ attire to North Face rain jackets and blundstones everyone was welcome. Entry was smooth, the bars/bathrooms were ample, and the food trucks didn’t have outrageous lines.
The festival's secondary stage, Propagate, dripped with an organic throwback aura. There was a sense that you were with a group of friends experiencing an impromptu party in an isolated location. It was intimate and authentic. Everyone there was looking to get lost in the music and the energy was both welcoming and contagious.
Nic Fanciulli drew an early crowd to the mainstage. His new single ‘Hold On,’ only released 24 hours earlier was a hit, and everyone was primed for Gorgon City.
By the time Gorgon City was underway the weather had begun to turn. Moody skies, biting wind, and a mainstage backdropped with trees rustling and whispering through gusts of wind—a Vancouver May long special. Despite rain intermittently peppering the audience the crowd swelled undeterred by the weather. House heads were out in force, nothing was going to get in their way.
Gorgon City’s pacing was on point, and they really ramped up the tempo for the back half of their set. The duo’s original productions ‘Voodoo,’ ‘5AM at Bagleys,’ and ‘All That You Need’ were all high points. Near the end of their set they dropped their newest release, ‘Run It Back,’ and an audible pop rippled through the crowd.
Summit took the stage just before 8:30pm and hit the ground running; everyone had already settled in and embraced the BPM.
At this point in John Summit’s career there can be no doubt that he deserves to sit atop any festival lineup. His arsenal of modern anthems is unrivalled, his style of house is malleable (trance/DnB/bass all woven seamlessly) and his personality is magnetic.
The Alok remix of ‘Focus’ & the Odd Mob remix of ‘Palm Of My Hand’ crushed. And it was a true moment to see thousands sing along to Delirum’s nearly 30-year-old track ‘Silence.’ Summit’s newly minted remix modernizes the track for 2025 and festival goers have clearly not tired of, or forgotten, the chorus.
The night came to a close with ‘Where You Are,’ ‘Gas Pedal Remix,’ & ‘Go back.’ Two years after its release, ‘Where You Are’ still hits as a euphoric unifying anthem destined to be remembered as a certified top tier classic.
This may only be the second iteration of Open Radius, but the festival already feels fully realized and mature. See you next year. Rain or shine. Count me in.
