FVDED 2025: All Gas, No Breaks — 4 Day Two Artists You’d Be Crazy to Miss

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By Ryan Hayes

Last year’s edition of FVDED was all about the big names, & this year is about discoverability. In just over a month, 60 artists will descend on Holland Park—up 12 from 2024. It’s Blueprint’s largest festival to date.

A fourth stage—Propagate—has been added, allowing for a more diverse array of soundscapes from across the dance music spectrum. Propagate will serve as a platform dedicated to spotlighting emerging talent and underground sounds, taking over where FVDED Lab left off in 2022.

This year will also feature a new and improved Forest Stage experience. Last year, the vibes were high—both in front of the stage and tucked away, vibing in the trees.

The festival still brings the heavyweights. Disclosure are making their long-awaited return on Saturday, along with current king of bass Subtronics, Canadian mainstage favourites Loud Luxury—and seminal anthemic hitmaker Zedd.

But 2025 is about diversifying and discovery.

Without further ado, these are EDM Canada’s four Day 2 artists you can’t miss:

Levity

The trio was forged through a friendship born from a love of music. Although they have been honing their craft since 2019, their big break serendipitously came in 2023 with their unexpected performance at Electric Forest. While attending the festival as fans, they were offered a last-minute slot due to a cancellation. Those who witnessed the set can attest to its infectious energy… blending all genres of bass and sprinkling in a heavy dose of rhythm and funk, Levity push boundaries. Think GRiZ, Zeds Dead, & TroyBoi.

Breakout release: Flip It

On Repeat: Postman

Goddard.

Andrew Goddard isn’t your average Drum N Bass producer. With a master’s in music & management and a penchant for emotive vocals and rich, silky basslines—he isn’t just one to watch, he is a must-see. His earliest releases stem from a powerful loss, and that sense of raw healing can be felt in his tracks. His break came in early 2022 with his remix for Cat Burns’ “Go,” and it’s the perfect example of beauty and bass.

Breakout release: Go Remix

On Repeat: Green Light

In their own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:

“I’ve been in the studio since January making new music nonstop to create a set where I play 90% of my own tunes. My new intro is the first step that bridges myself and my label ‘Rabbit Hole’ together showcasing new unreleased music and an immersive visual showcase that coincides the two realms together as one”

Jackie Hollander 

The drive and ambition of Jackie Hollander is infectious, and her live sets are high energy. She offers a mix of melodic house & techno driven by atmospheric synths and bouncing bass. It’s been less than a year since her breakout hit ‘All My Friends Are Hot’ catapulted her into the spotlight, and her follow-up release ‘My Power,’ all about taking control of her life and manifesting her future, solidified her as a player to watch.

Breakout release: All My Friends Are Hot

On Repeat: I Look Good

AC Slater 

In our minds, Aaron Clevenger, better known as AC Slater, needs no introduction. A pioneer of the bass house genre, founder of now-renowned Night Bass Records, and producer of anthems like ‘Bass Inside.’ His sets are raw, unrelenting journeys through a myriad of gritty, bass-inspired genres with throwback samples and a throughline of high-octane energy. Show up ready to go all-in.

Breakout release: Jack Got Jacked

On Repeat: Bass Face

In their own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to

“I’m excited to be back at FVDED. Canada crowds are top tier energy level, so FVDED an incredible opportunity to try out my new unreleased music and upcoming tracks from my label Night Bass. I’m honored to represent my unique sound along side so many different types of artists.”

FVDED 2025 is about more than just the headliners—it’s about the energy, the community, and the shared love of a sound. This year, lean in with the spirit of discovery. Step outside your refined taste, catch a set from an artist you’ve never seen, and let yourself be surprised. Whether you’re there for the music, the vibes, or to be part of the communal escapism—FVDED 2025 is your chance to explore the future of the scene while basking in aura of legends. Your weekend, built one set at a time.

FVDED 2025: Bigger, Bolder & Built for Discovery — Meet 4 Must-See Day One Acts

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By Ryan Hayes

Last year’s edition of FVDED was all about the big names, & this year is about discoverability. In just over a month, 60 artists will descend on Holland Park—up 12 from 2024. It’s Blueprint’s largest festival to date.

A fourth stage—Propagate—has been added, allowing for a more diverse array of soundscapes from across the dance music spectrum. Propagate will serve as a platform dedicated to spotlighting emerging talent and underground sounds, taking over where FVDED Lab left off in 2022.

This year will also feature a new and improved Forest Stage experience. Last year, the vibes were high—both in front of the stage and tucked away, vibing in the trees.

The festival still holds heavyweights. The godfather himself—Tiesto—is tackling Friday night along with trap don RL Grime, and Canadian icon Kaytranada.

But 2025 is about diversifying and discovery.

Without further ado, these are EDM Canada’s four Day 1 artists you can’t miss:

Zingara

In 2022, Zingara released ‘Astra,’ a seven-minute-long space odyssey through torrents of absorbing bass focused on inward reflection and self-actualization. Grab your best pair of headphones, close your eyes, and lock in. Her productions are hypnotic, often with ethereal vocals—and her releases have been relentless over the last three years. Her set is sure to weave a bass tapestry unlike most festival attendees have experienced.

Breakout release: Astra

On Repeat: Mind & Body EP Mix

In her own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:

“Get ready to enter my ethereal realm ~ my FVDED set is a full sensory journey through energy and intention. Expect deep drops and spiritual vibes you won’t forget. Don't miss out!! <3”

HoneyLuv

The long and winding road that led Taylor to the creation of HoneyLuv is one of a kind; from a young NCAA basketball star to four years in the Navy, to BBC Radio 1’s Future Star of 2023 and a DJ Mag Breakthrough Producer award. HoneyLuv represents the heart and soul of house music: deep rolling basslines, soulful hooks, and a hypnotic progression. Her sets create a steady, rhythmic build—classic house music energy with modern swagger.

Breakout release: 365 (Thr33 6ix 5ive)

On Repeat: Sway & Fever

In her own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:

“Life is crazy. I'm so excited to be sharing the space with these other dope artists and feeling their energy. It’s going to be a day of just vibing, making unforgettable memories, and liberation. I have some fire new tracks I’m hyped to play and I just know the crowd is going to be insane. The countdown to the park is on, I can’t wait to see everyone dancing!”

Me N ü

Out of the solitude and isolation caused by Covid, twin sisters rose to prominence through exploring hopeful soundscapes. With an ear for positivity, they sought to create something bright in a dark time. Although their first release dropped in March 2024, and their first-ever festival slot was seven months ago, the duo’s authenticity has propelled them forward at an accelerated rate. Their uplifting melodies and emotive lyrics are sure to bring a bright spot at FVDED.

Breakout release: JUMP

On Repeat: WONDER

In their own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:

"Summertime festivals are home to some of our best memories, and our FVDED set is built to reflect that. We’re mixing nostalgic house favorites with our most loved remixes and originals to bring our signature Hope House sound. Can’t wait to see you there."

D.O.D

Over the last decade-plus, D.O.D’s sound has shifted dramatically—maneuvering seamlessly through electro, big-room, his own subgenre ‘future jack,’ and most recently, melodic house with a slant towards progressive. His sets are high energy, the vocals are silky smooth, and the synths are soaring. D.O.D began DJing at local clubs and bars when he was just fifteen in 1995, and it shows—he is an expert at his craft behind the decks, and his hour set is sure to melt away, leaving attendees smiling and energized.

Breakout release: More Cowbell

On Repeat: Somedays

In their own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:

“I LOVE playing in Canada, the crowd energy is always at 100% so I’m absolutely buzzing to be playing for the first time ever at FVDED. I’ve been in the studio non stop recently working on some exclusive bangers for my festival sets around the world and the only way you’ll get to hear these is if you come and see me play!” 

FVDED 2025 is about more than just the headliners—it’s about the energy, the community, and the shared love of a sound. This year, lean in with the spirit of discovery. Step outside your refined taste, catch a set from an artist you’ve never seen, and let yourself be surprised. Whether you’re there for the music, the vibes, or to be part of the communal escapism—FVDED 2025 is your chance to explore the future of the scene while basking in the aura of legends. Your weekend, built one set at a time.

New City Gas to temporarily suspend their operations due to new social distancing measures

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New City Gas is arguably Montreal’s premier nightclub, and a major hub for EDM events. This is huge news coming out of Montreal and could be a preview of things to come as all promoters find a way to deal with the new social distancing measures nationwide. Here is their statement below:

The grind of up and coming NoWayOut

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By Dominic Wren

Maxim David is a Gatineau born up and coming DJ/Producer that played his first festival ever this past weekend at Riverside Music Festival. His musical peers and fans know him as NoWayOut. I sat down with him right after his set and he was still shaking from the adrenalin that was surging though his body. He had some very positive notes to say about the festival: “The festival itself is really nice. The line-up is sick. It’s stacked for both days. The organizers managed to get all the genres that the whole crowd likes like Bass and house music for example.”

He is more of a club DJ so the young DJ expressed that this was a major step up in energy. He mentioned that he was really nervous before going up on stage but once the spotlight was on him, but he managed to do what he loves the most. NoWayOut briefly explained that his set didn’t start off as smoothly as he was expecting. Before getting on the big stage looking towards the Canadian parliament, he realized that he forgot his headphones but luckily one of the NoWayOut team members helped him out by driving to his place only to come and give Max the headphones mid way through his set. “It made the first half of my set just that much harder than it had to be” said the young artist.

As an artist that is trying to make it in this unforgiving industry, you got to practice a lot. I mean A LOT. Maxim practices 6 to 8 hours a day trying new tricks and transitions methods. “That is only the DJing, claims the new talent, then there’s all the marketing, branding, producing, etc.” Today he focuses more of his energy into producing and learning the software. “That’s the next step for me” announced NoWayOut

His mom plays a massive role in his team and is his #1 fan even saying “she’s not a big dubstep fan but she’s always there supporting me.” What a trooper. I further asked him what keeps him motivated to keep up this grind. He responded by warning me that this would be a cheesy answer, but when you see a kid on the hockey rink and claiming that he’ll be the next Sydney Crosby or the next Stanley cup winner, he was and still is today that kid. He’s the kid on the hockey rink that’s really pursuing his dream. He also added: “To be on stage with a crowd is the best feeling in the world.”

Expect to see more of his name in the upcoming years. This DJ is setting his path for a successful career.