BY TER STAFF

This past weekend’s sold-out, EDM-centric FVDED in the Park festival in Surrey, BC, Canada saw a capacity of 40,000 fans take in world class acts such as Travi$ Scott, Jack U, Bryson Tiller and Zedd.

FVDED in the Park sees the benefits of being removed from the Metro Vancouver area, but still among the beautiful city-scape of the close suburb Surrey. The festival is not an overnight festival and does not feature any campgrounds, modelled after similar EDM festivals that have found success with this model in recent years.

It’s an idea that seems to have hit home with a lot of music fans who are really interested in seeing their favourite artists, but might be turned off by the camping experience or high-costs associated with a camping ticket.

“To have a festival sell out both days in only its second year is an indication of appreciation of the strength and depth of the lineup, as well as the strong interest in an urban music festival event in our region,” says Alvaro Prol, co-founder of festival, owner Blueprint. With two sold out days, the Festival ends with a 2016 attendance of 40,000 – up 53.8% over the inaugural year event attendance of 26,000.

Although the festival was very EDM heavy, it saw an interesting intersection of all genres, with hip-hop representatives like D.R.A.M., GoldLink, and Travi$ Scott, and even R&B/Soul artists getting prime time on large stages with acts like Gallant and Bryson Tiller drawing big crowds among others. DJ sets from Metro Boomin, Kaytranada and DJ Mustard also were among the weekend’s highlights.

Still, headliners Jack U and Zedd were definitely the big draws and the closers, and absolutely stole the show with their immaculate stage sets and eclectic set-lists. The festival’s success and big crowds might spell good things for BC’s Festival market, as the province has been through it’s own ups and downs with cancelled festivals in the past.