Audiotistic Music Festival

Last updated
Audiotistic Music Festival
Genre Electronic dance music, rap and hip hop, drum & bass, dubstep, etc.
Location(s) Southern California, USA Northern California, USA
Years active1997 to 2003, 2009 to 2011, 2013-present
Founded byMeelo Solis, Insomniac Events (recent owner)
Website Official website

Audiotistic Music Festival is a music festival that occurs annually in Northern California at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. Audiotistic is known for sporting a diverse assortment of genres, ranging from rap and hip hop to electronic genres drum & bass and dubstep. Previously, it was held in Southern California, US, from 1997 to 2003 and from 2009 to 2011, in various venues such as the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, the L.A. Sports Arena, and the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. However, on July 15, 2017, the festival returned but this time to the Bay Area with two main stages. The festival would continue to expanding by adding an additional day in 2018.

Contents

History

Audiotistic Music Festival began in 1997 from promoter Meelo Solis. He ran it with his brother Ben, and investment bankers Darin Feinstein and Bevan Cooney, with U.S. Concerts. [1] It began as a mostly techno, strictly underground event. After failing to hold the event from 2004 to 2008, Solis teamed up with Insomniac CEO Pasquale Rotella to bring Audiotistic back to Southern California. The first Audiotistic Festival drew in 2,500 people. [1] In 2001, the festival drew in 15,000; the next year it packed 35,000 into the National Orange Show Events Center. Despite the size of the crowd, police reported no incidents, and fans seemed remarkably controlled. [2] By 2010, the festival was drawing in 25,000. [3] The festival drew a smaller number in 2011 totaling 19,000 but was lauded as a success.[ citation needed ]

In 2002, in addition to its music lineup, Audiotistic tried to plug into Los Angeles skateboard culture by erecting a makeshift skate park inside the Orange Center's pavilion that was free to use for anyone willing to lug their board along. The park was designed by pro skater Chad Muska, whose company, Circa Footwear, also hosted a $5,000 best trick contest at the event. [1]

On November 20 and 21, 2021, the festival also took place for the first time in San Diego, California, at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. [4]

Controversies

Following the death of a 15-year-old girl at Insomniac's Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles in 2010, [5] Insomniac enacted a new 18 & over policy for all shows within the United States. [6] Despite the increase in average age of attendees at the event, San Bernardino police still arrested more than two dozen partygoers. Twenty-one people were arrested on suspicion of felony drug and other offenses, and several more were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor crimes, police said. [3] Similarly, in 2011, 43 arrests were reported. Of those, 35 involved possession or sale of illegal narcotics, according to the police department. [7]

On May 21, 2012, Rotella announced via Twitter that there would be no Audiotistic that summer, and that it would not come back until 2013. [8]

Line-ups

2002

Audiotistic featured OutKast, Kanye West and the Roots. Along with leading alternative hip hop artists such as Oakland's Blackalicious and Black Star, and turntablists including QBert and DJ Swamp, Audiotistic also showcased techno and its numerous offshoots. [1] Other acts included Mos Def, King Britt, Talib Kweli, house DJ Roy Davis Jr., trance DJ Dan. On the drum-and-bass stage, Craze, DJ Markie and MC Skibadee warmed up the crowd for Roni Size and Dynamite with a blend of fast-paced beats and Jamaican dance-hall vocals. [2]

2003

Headliners featured Nas, Big Boi (of OutKast) and the Chemical Brothers. Other acts included Talib Kweli, King Britt, Sandra Collins, Blackalicious and Donald Glaude. DJ King Britt delivered a mix of down-tempo, jazzy grooves, while hip hop act Blackalicious also stood out for its blend of funk hip-hop and positive beats. [9]

2009

Progressive Orange PavilionElectro Citrus BuildingOpen Air Hip Hop StageDrum & Bass
David Delano & Modern Romance, Joaquin Bamaca, Lenny Vega, DJ Micro, Donald Glaude, Menno De Jone, Thrillseekers, Above & Beyond (live featuring Zoe Johnston)Kuru, DJ Sin, Thee Mike B, Villains, DJ Funk, Flosstradamus, Junior Sanchez, Does It Offend You, Yeah? (DJ Set), Chromeo (live), Armand Van Helden, Le Castlevania, Kill The NoisePeepshow, Far East Movement, Luckyiam, Them Jeans, Amanda Blank, The Cool Kids, Reflection Eternal (featuring Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek), Z Trip, The RootsSubflo, Hazen, Raw, AAron Lacrate, Shimon, Mike Relm, Goldie, Ed Rush & Optical, Lemonde and Dillinja

[ citation needed ]

2010

The BoomboxSpeaker TempleSound ArcadeBass Frequency
DJ Sin, Eskmo, The Cool Kids, N.A.S.A., Talib Tweli, Nick Catchdubs, Bassnectar, Kid Cudi, Rusko, Daedelus, Nosaj ThingLenny V., Sonic C, Chris Lake, Donald Glaude & Kill The Noise, Wippenberg, Cosmic Gate, Marco VWe A.R.E., Dances With White Girls, Flosstradamus, AC Slater, Harvard Bass, Riva Starr, A-Trak, Treasure FingersDumbsteppaz, Camo UFO's, Star Eyes, Breakage, Craze, Nero, Ed Rush & Optical, TC

2011

Wolfgang Gartner filled in for Sebastian Ingrosso, who had to cancel his Audiotistic appearance at the last minute, due to him needing to receive minor surgery. [10]

Treble FrequencySpeaker TempleBass FrequencyThe Boombox
Crunch Theory, Zoo Brazil, Morten Breum, Bobby Burns, Bingo Players, Chris Lake, Porter Robinson, Flux Pavilion & Doctor P, Diplo, Crystal Castles, Wolfgang Gartner Norin & Rad, Menno De Jong, Marcel Woods, Jaytech, Mat Zo, Arty, Super8 & Tab, ShowtekDeco, Fury, Flinch, Plastician, Ed Rush & Optical, Lazaro Casanova, Bobby Burns, Benga, Datsik, DJ Fresh DJ Sin, King Fantastic, Thee Mike B, Araabmuzik, Nick Catchdubs, Hoodie Allen, Chiddy Bang, AC Slater, Daedelus, The Cool Kids, Craze, Lil B, Major Lazer

2017

Audiotistic came to the Bay Area for the first time on July 15, 2017, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. It featured two main stages Frequency 1.1 and Frequency 2.2.

Frequency 1.1Frequency 2.2
Marshmello, Flosstradamus, Lil Uzi Vert, Nghtmre, Slander, Ghastly, HabstraktDj Dials, Keys N Krates (live), Joyryde, Playboi Carti, Point Point, Dombresky, Anglez, Young Nudy

2018

Audiotistic returns to the Shoreline Amphitheater but this time with a two day event on July 14 & 15th.

Frequency 1.1Frequency 2.2
4B, Born Dirty, Cray, Drezo, Jai Wolf, Joyryde, Kaskade, Kayzo, Lil Wayne, Loudpvck, Louis The Child, Quix, Rezz, Rich The Kid + Famous Dex, Virtual Self, Whipped CreamDombresky, Ekali, GG MAGREE, Habstrakt, Judge, K?D, Lil Skies, Medasin, Nghtmre b2b Slander, Nitti Gritti, Party Favor, Phantoms (Dj Set), Ray Volpe, Saymyname, Shiba San, Slushii

See also

Related Research Articles

Tony Louis Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American rapper and music producer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli. His father is singer Willie Cottrell of the Willie Cottrell Band, whom Hi-Tek featured on his second album, Hi-Teknology 2.

Visionaries is an underground hip hop crew from Los Angeles, California. The crew formed in 1995, and have since released four full-length albums on Up Above Records, and their fifth album "V" on their newly re-formed label Visionaries Crew, Inc. The crew's six members have collectively released over fifty solo and side projects. They have collaborated and performed with many other artists, including Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Dilated Peoples, De La Soul, Blackalicious, Jean Grae, Psycho Realm, J Dilla, Jurassic 5 and Linkin Park.

<i>Quality</i> (Talib Kweli album) 2002 studio album by Talib Kweli

Quality is the debut studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on November 19, 2002, by Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By", produced by Kanye West. Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoreline Amphitheatre</span> Concert venue in Mountain View, California, United States

Shoreline Amphitheatre is an outdoor amphitheater located in Mountain View, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The venue has a capacity of 22,500, with 6,500 reserved seats and 16,000 general admission on the lawn. When the parking lot is utilized for festival stages, the total capacity of the venue can reach 30,000. The venue has hosted popular music festivals such as Lollapalooza and Ozzfest, and also developer conferences such as the Google I/O.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh No (musician)</span> American rapper and record producer from California

Michael Woodrow Jackson, Sr., known professionally as Oh No, is an American rapper and record producer who has released several albums on Stones Throw Records. He is half of the hip hop duo Gangrene along with The Alchemist. He is also half of the hip-hop duo The Professionals with his brother Madlib.

<i>Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD</i> 2005 mixtape / Studio album by Talib Kweli

Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD or simply Right About Now was released by Talib Kweli in November 2005 and is generally considered a mixtape. However, some people regard this release as an official album because of its availability through commercial sites and its release of two singles. It also lacks the DJ overlays often accompanied by mixtapes which makes the CD read more like an official album. This CD is notable because, although a low-key release, it features upcoming members of Kweli's record label, Blacksmith Music. The album sold 16,000 copies in its first week of release, debuting at #113 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Eardrum</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Talib Kweli

Eardrum is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Talib Kweli. The album was released on August 21, 2007, by Blacksmith Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album features guest appearances from Res, Jean Grae, UGK, Raheem DeVaughn, Roy Ayers, Kanye West, Norah Jones, Coi Mattison, Lyfe Jennings, will.i.am, Sa-Ra, KRS-One, Musiq Soulchild, Strong Arm Steady, Sizzla, Justin Timberlake and Marsha Ambrosius.

<i>Train of Thought</i> (Reflection Eternal album) 2000 studio album by Reflection Eternal

Train of Thought is the debut album of American hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, released October 17, 2000, on Rawkus Records. Collaborating as a duo, rapper Talib Kweli and DJ and hip hop producer Hi-Tek recorded the album during 1999 to 2000, following their individual musical work that gained notice in New York's underground scene during the late 1990s. Kweli had previously worked with rapper Mos Def as the duo Black Star, and Hi-Tek had served as producer on the duo's debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock the Bells</span> Annual hip-hop festival

Rock the Bells is an annual hip-hop festival that originally took place in Southern California only, but has since toured throughout the world. The concert features a line-up of high-profile alternative hip-hop artists, often headlined by a more mainstream artist. The first festival was held in 2004, featuring a re-united Wu-Tang Clan, who performed four months before Ol' Dirty Bastard's death. That festival is covered in depth by a 2006 documentary film also called Rock the Bells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric Daisy Carnival</span> American annual electronic dance music festival

Electric Daisy Carnival, commonly known as EDC, is an electronic dance music festival organized by promoter and distributor Insomniac. The annual flagship event, EDC Las Vegas, is held in May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and is currently the largest electronic dance music festival in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong Arm Steady</span> American hip hop group

Strong Arm Steady, often referred to as SAS, is a hip hop group in California's underground hip hop scene. As of December 2009, the act consists of members Phil Da Agony, Krondon, of Los Angeles, and Mitchy Slick of San Diego, California. Originally an amorphous collective of at least eight, formed as an alternative to the gang-focused productions of West Coast rap's then-dominant Death Row Records, SAS pared down to four members for recording in the studio and performing live, with Xzibit as the frontman. Since he left the group in 2006, the three remaining members have been a stable trio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">40 Glocc</span> American rapper

Lawrence Carl Demetrious White,(born 16 December 1979) better known by his stage name 40 Glocc, is an American rapper.

Hard is a national music festival, music cruise and concert brand founded in 2007. The event line-ups consist of alternative and electronic acts and emerging talents. The first Hard Music Festival was held on December 31, 2007 in Downtown Los Angeles and featured Justice, Peaches and 2 Live Crew. Hard is best known for the Hard Summer Music Festival and Hard Haunted Mansion, though also runs several smaller events and one-off shows. Hard is sometimes called "Hardfest" by fans, based on the event's website and social media shortcuts. Additional Hard brands include the Hard Summer, Hard Red Rocks, Hard at Electric Daisy Carnival, and the Holy Ship! electronic music cruise, and former events include Hard Day of The Dead, Hard 13, Turkey Soup and Hard Miami. Live Nation Entertainment acquired Hard in 2012. In 2013, Live Nation handed control over to Insomniac Events in their merger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beyond Wonderland</span> American EDM festival

Beyond Wonderland is an electronic dance festival organized by Insomniac Events. The event has been held in various locations across the west coast including Seattle, San Bernardino, and Mountain View spanning either one or two days. As the festival continued to grow from its earlier roots, it has branched into two festivals: Beyond Socal and Beyond Norcal / Bay Area, catering to the growing audience. However, this expansion of the Beyond series lasted for only four years before founder Pasquale Rotella announced that he would no longer continue having both Beyond Socal and Norcal to pursue expansion and creation of other festivals of the Insomniac brand.

Insomniac is an American electronic music event promoter and music distributor. Founded by Pasquale Rotella, it is the organizer of various music festivals, including its flagship electronic music festival Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas.

White Wonderland is an electronic music festival co-organized by Insomniac Events and fellow club promoter Giant. The event was first held for New Year's Eve in 2011, following the announcement that Insomniac had pulled out of co-organizing the New Year's Eve festival Together as One due to conflicts with its fellow organizer Go Ventures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talib Kweli</span> American rapper (born 1975)

Talib Kweli Greene is an American rapper. He earned recognition through his collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Mos Def in 1997, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli's musical career continued with solo success including collaborations with producers and rappers Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Pharrell Williams. His most recent album, Gotham, was released in 2020. In 2011, Kweli founded his own record label, Javotti Media.

Axel Dahlen, better known by his stage name Axel Foley, is an American underground hip hop musician based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escape Halloween</span> Electronic dance music festival organized by Insomniac in Southern California

Escape Halloween is an electronic dance music festival organized by promoter and distributor Insomniac. The annual event, which debuted in 2011, is held at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California on the weekend preceding Halloween, and is centered around Halloween and traditional horror themes. There are themed stages, Halloween walk-through mazes, art galleries, and costumed performers. Music genres include EDM, house, dance, electro house, drum and bass, techno, dance-punk, hardstyle, dubstep, trance, and more.

Nicholas Piantedosi, professionally known as Decap, is an American record producer from Nashua, New Hampshire, United States. Decap has worked with and produced for artists such as Talib Kweli, Joyner Lucas, Hit-Boy, Locksmith, Zion I, Spose, Watsky, Smoke DZA, J-Essential and many more. In 2013, Decap released his full length debut instrumental album, Omni Love.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Archives". Los Angeles Times .
  2. 1 2 "Archives". Los Angeles Times .
  3. 1 2 "San Bernardino police arrest more than two dozen at rave". 25 July 2010.
  4. https://sandiego.audiotisticfestival.com/
  5. "Girl, 15, dies after weekend rave at L.A. Coliseum". Los Angeles Times . 30 June 2010.
  6. "18+ Policy - Insomniac Events". Archived from the original on 2013-03-03. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  7. "Insomniac's Audiotistic festival: EDC promoter delivers the bass". August 2011.
  8. "Global Dance Electronic: Audiotistic 2012, not happening till Summer 2013". Archived from the original on 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  9. "Archives". Los Angeles Times .
  10. "EDM – electrodancemedia.com » Hip-Hop and Dance Music Join Forces for Audiotistic". electrodancemedia.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2022.