Denver’s biggest, summer Electronic Dance Music event that is Global Dance Festival, returned for two incredible nights last weekend, this time, in the heart of the Mile High City. Global Dance Festival has been a foundation for EDM festivals in the Denver music scene from its first year in 2002. It has since grown and evolved into a famed event around the world and this year fulfilled any and all desires one could hope for in an electronic music festival.
Photo from: Globaldancefestival.com
Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Originally held at Red Rocks Amphitheater, an iconic venue recognized worldwide for its natural acoustic surroundings, Global Dance Festival took new grounds at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. As a venue in itself, Red Rocks is near impossible to beat, which made the location change a particularly difficult decision for Global Dance.
Believe us, making the decision to leave Red Rocks did not come easily. But if we have learned anything from Decadence, a space can be transformed into whatever world the heart desires.
– Global Dance.
The new real estate has truly embodied the Colorado culture, with The Rocky Mountains to the west, the Denver skyline to the east and our Denver, Broncos stadium front and center. A larger space also made way for brand new installations including carnival rides, games, food trucks, a VIP village with luxury lounge seating, side stage cabanas, and a silent disco! Now bigger and better than ever, the new location at Sports Authority Field has transformed Global Dance Festival into an “all-encompassing festival experience.”
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Welcome to Global Dance Festival 2017
Walking into the venue is like stepping into a new reality. The main entrance led into the Dragonfly Art Park with a giant Global Dance Festival sign to welcome you in. Acrobats flew above and mesmerizing sculptures scaled the path into the venue planting good vibes on all patrons for the exhilarating weekend ahead. Music echoed in every direction luring you into each of the three massive stages.
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Photo by: Robin Voegtle
Global Summit Stage
The Global Summit Stage was the focal point of the festival, with the largest stage production of the three and holding the biggest acts of the weekend including, “America’s number one voted DJ”, Kaskade, Porter Robinson, and Hardwell and housed the most anticipated set of the weekend – Excision B2B Datsik. The ground shook as the two bass gods joined forces the second night for possibly the loudest performance Global Dance Festival has seen. Everlasting memories were made at the Global Summit as fireworks burst overhead and fire spewed from all ends of the stage, making the close to each night otherworldly.
Photo from: Globaldancefestival.com
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Northern Lights Stage
The Northern Lights stage captivated all who entered with its electrifying light production and feel good atmosphere. The Genesis ride attraction was strategically located at the back of the crowd, where patrons could get their thrill amidst witnessing the amazing performances from artists around the world. Back to back headliners, Ganja White Night from Belgium and Hardwell from the Netherlands graced the stage the first night, hitting the crowd with a double dose of European craft ship. Deep house legend, Zhu was a fan favorite of day two. Aside from his outstanding live instrumental features, Zhu covered Lincoln Park’s classic hit “Faint” with respects to the passing of lead singer Chester Bennington, pulling on the heartstrings of everyone in the room. London based, Nero finished off the festival with classics such “Promises” and “Innocence”. The Northern Lights Stage had several magical moments this weekend, each act leaving the crowd in a state of pure bliss.
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Photo by: Robin Voegtle
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
The Tundra Stage
The Tundra stage was the smallest stage located next to the Amazon silent disco. While it was hot and enclosed, it held some of the best sets of the weekend. Canadian born, Dabin brought all of the feels the first day, overflowing the Tundra tent for which many continued to get down to his set along the outside. And Long island resident, KANDY, blew the top off of the Tundra tent on day two, rattling the VIP loungers out of their relaxed state to get a closer look. Standard to other festivals, the smallest stages often house some of the most prominent up-and-coming artists in the game, and the Tundra Stage certainly maintained that status this weekend.
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Carnival Park
As if three massive stages wasn’t enough entertainment, Global Dance brought a full flexed theme park into the mix. Positioned at the back of the Global Summit stage was the Carnival Park stacked with all of your favorite adrenaline pumping rides. The Sky Fire and the Freak Out projected screams throughout the venue while the Orbit and Tornado had heads spinning for days. The giant Ferris wheel overlooked the entire park giving you a 360 view of Colorado as well as the main stage. Equipped with classic carnival games and fun prizes, the nostalgia of being a kid again was restored in every Global attendee with this exciting addition to the festival.
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
Food Truck Village
Denver is known for many things: the mountains, the music and also the food culture. This year, Global Dance brought nine of Denver’s best food trucks with a variety of different cuisines to enlighten our taste buds. Sunshine Bowls was a popular choice, with fresh acai bowls served as the perfect pick-me-up. Gyro King sparked the most interest by far. Gyros being a festival go-to food, the line to the Gyro King extended all the way down Food Truck Lane!
Photo by: Mike Middelburg
The Amazon Silent Disco
Every good festival needs a silent disco, and Global Dance answered with an immersive silent disco experience featuring over 30 diverse artists! The Amazon Jungle was the perfect escape for patrons to channel into their own wavelength and just vibe out in between sets. Colorado local Timba headlined the first night alongside Cory Goldsmith, and Asher and T-RX, Jack-Jack and AudioX battled it out the second night. Another excellent addition this year amongst so many other amazing installations.
Photo from: Globaldancefestival.com
Thank You Global Dance
The all-encompassing Global Dance Festival would never have surfaced had it not been for the ambitious and visionary work of the Global Dance team.
As you drive by Sports Authority Field you see parking lots. I saw a massive venue closer to home with multiple stages, an art park, carnival rides, food trucks, shade zones, a VIP village, an arcade and more. I couldn’t let go of this vision so I had to try it. It wasn’t perfect but it’s a start. THANK YOU to everyone that believed in my vision.
– Ha Hau (Global Dance).
Global Dance Festival 2017 was a dream event for Colorado and we can’t wait to experience the ever-growing festival in years to come.
See Also: Colorado Local Talent
