Ancient Future 2015 Lights Up Montréal’s Old Port With Techno Onslaught

Montréal-based collective La Bacchanale closed out the summer last weekend in style, delivering an experience never before encountered in the city's idyllic old port. The group launched its very first festival, Ancient Future, on September 18, the event proposed a confrontation between new age artists and old school talents.

In honor of the weekender, the organizers took on the task of constructing their own audiovisual utopia: a truly underground exhibition of both domestic and international house and techno.

The site, combining Hangar 16 (an industrial-style warehouse) and Quai de l'Horloge (the accompanying grasslands along the St. Lawrence River), played host to a small army of loyal followers and a solid addition Bacchanale newbies.

Over the course of three memorable days and nights, the Parisian party-throwers inspired attendees with a world that blended the best of Garden Festival, Time Warp, and Cirque de Soleil.

The event opened on Friday afternoon with a free outdoor party in the freshly constructed garden of paradise—a long stretch of tree-lined grass that encompasses the two outdoor stages. The deep, flowing river on one side and the sparkling city skyline on the other provided a beautiful new setting for Montréal's ravers to max out to the sounds of local acts Iron Galaxy, Matt Brancatella, and Mossa. The trio provided an eclectic and vibrant opening.

With the sun setting beyond the city, the party came to life. Crowds surged forward, like beasts on the grass, with the descent of darkness. At 10 PM on Friday, festivities shifted inside to Hangar 16, a genuine concrete jungle offering a taste of Berlin nightlife. The structure provided the ideal setting for the long awaited appearance of Cocoon boys Extrawelt, who were returning to Montréal after a six-year gap. Their support was out in force, dancing ceaselessly between the concrete columns to a set that fused the darkest elements of techno with emotive melodic touches. Accompanied by an engrossing visual show, the performance was the most captivating of the evening, though Phuture (DJ Pierre & DJ Spank) and Eric Cloutier both excited the baying crowd.

Day two opened in the fresh air with Montréal's own Claire representing the local scene impressively on the main stage. She treated the early wave to a carefully crafted ensemble of minimal beats. But it was on the far side of the site that the party was truly heating up.

In the shadow of the iconic clock tower stood the second stage, a floral themed construction specially crafted for days two and three. The setting offered an exquisite alternative, an orchard-like hideaway surrounded by leafy trees on either side. The stage itself was equipped with a boutique sound system well capable of lifting you off your feet—another sign of La Bacchanale's commitment to powerful audio-visual elements.

Fuck Reality producer Moomin exploited the second stage to the fullest on Saturday afternoon, indulging an attentive troop to an optimal selection of dancefloor oriented deep house cuts. The Berlin-based artist departed a rapidly swelling second stage to rapturous applause.

Saturday's sunshine didn't last long; intruding clouds blacked out the light. The ensuing showers caused considerable disruption to the planned schedule. Several international artists were rescheduled to play inside the Hangar at an earlier opening time of 8 PM.

Local artists manned the outdoor arena through the spells of rain, but they didn't let it dampen the mood. La Bacchanale's go-to man Adam Solomon had the chance once more to strut his stuff before the rising duo Or Room led a plentiful crowd through the storm with a killer techno mix.

Alex.do was given the honor of opening Hangar 16 on Saturday evening, setting the scene perfectly for possibly the biggest night of techno music in Montréal's recent history. Joining the dystopian destroyer on the bill were Delano Smith, Answer Code Request, Vril, and Par Grindvik. Nowhere in memory has such sheer techno quality been on display at one place and time in the city.

Drumcode and Stockholm LTD producer Par Grindvik closed the Hangar on an impressive second night. Displaying a noteworthy command of the decks, he energized the crowd deep into the final installment of a true techno marathon.

By Sunday, the legs of the weekend warriors were starting to tire, restricting the third day solely to an outdoor affair was a wise decision. The day belonged to Octave One; brothers Lenny and Lawrence Burden excellently exhibited the Detroit flow. The pair transmitted a groove that even the house heads couldn't turn their nose up at dulcet vocal snippets interweaving the slashing hi-hats with momentous claps and body-shaking kick drums. The billing was set high and the duo didn't disappoint.

Meanwhile, locals Vadim Yershov and Massyl were throwing it down at the alternative enclave, treating a devoted grouping to a stellar collection of deep groovers. They were followed by Romanian sensation Barac, who very much exceeded the hype.

Taking to the main stage for an extended set, Omar S concluded the proceedings as it began, inciting the last ravers standing with an onslaught of fiery techno and retro house tunes. He fittingly lit up the main stage as break-dancers and fire breathers encircled the last batch of unfaltering survivors.

Although the weekend was struck with challenging weather and the predictable first edition hiccups, the festival offered a glimpse of something impressive. Not merely a delectable slice of Montréal's own Movement Festival but a personal underground master class — focusing on the experience above all else.

With its festival virginity now a distant memory, expect La Bacchanale to return more effectively than ever. Armed with a newfound knowledge for scale and still grasping its youthful exuberance, one thing that is for sure — this is just the beginning of the journey for these Paris-born promoters.

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