The Halifax Pop Explosion is an annual music and arts festival. It takes place in several different venues in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has occurred almost every autumn since 1993. This year’s event will run from October 21-25.
Although it’s in an area of Canada generally known for Celtic music, Halifax has had a thriving indie music scene since the early 90s. Bands like Sloan, Superfriendz, Thrush Hermit, Joel Plaskett, Wintersleep, Matt Mays, and more recently electronic acts like Ryan Hemsworth all hail from Halifax and have also been involved in HPX. Furthermore, the festival draws headlining acts that are on the verge of exploding within their respective genres. Bands like Fucked Up, Arcade Fire, Buck 65, Hot Hot Heat, Death From Above 1979, the Wrens, Killer Mike, El-P (separate years, sadly) and Purity Ring have all performed at HPX.
HPX started as a festival containing mostly rock and indie bands. Now, not only does the lineup contain an equal amount of electronic, rap and comedy, but it also contains many music related workshops and presentations.
Here are some of the acts I am pumped for:
Rich Aucoin
Rich Aucoin is a multi-instrumentalist from Halifax. Although he gained notoriety from playing mostly solo shows with looping equipment, his current live show that promotes his new record, ‘Ephemeral’ includes a full band. He is renown for involving the entire crowd into his performances. Rich is playing two shows at HPX this year, so there is no good excuse for missing him.
Rich Aucoin performs at 7:00PM on Wednesday October 22nd at the Company House and 11:00PM on Thursday October 23rd at Reflections Cabaret.
Cam Smith
When Cam isn’t delivering Halifax’s rush hour traffic report on the CBC, he is making music to shake your ass to. His newest collection of music, ‘Cannon’ dropped on September 30th and is available on SoundCloud for download. With several appearances at HPX, you’ll have no reason to miss this up and coming rapper.
Cam Smith performs at 11:00PM on Wednesday October 22nd at Reflections Cabaret, 7:00PM on Thursday October 23rd at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre, and at 10:00PM on Saturday October 25th at the Seahorse tavern. You can also catch Cam at a presentation called ‘That’s So Gen X,’ 2:00 PM on Friday October 24th at The Museum of Natural History.
Zeds Dead
From Toronto, ON, Zeds Dead is producers/DJs Hooks and DC. Since the mid 2000s they’ve been creating a grimy electronic sound that incorporates trap, dubstep, and drum and bass. And bass. And bass. And bass. I’ve had their latest record, ‘Somewhere Else’ on repeat for the last two weeks and I expect you will, too.
Zeds Dead perform at 10:00PM on Friday October 24th at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre.
Thugli
This Toronto duo is responsible for one of the biggest trap jams of the year: ‘A$AP Mob’s Hella Hoes Remix.’ Thugli will be taking a break from Keys N Krates ‘Every Nite’ tour to bring Halifax bass ridden southern hip hop anthems that will extend late into the night.
Thugli perform at 2:00AM Saturday October 25th at Reflections Cabaret.
Ryan Hemsworth
Hailing from Halifax, Hemsworth has remixed tracks by Frank Ocean, Cat Power and has his own productions, including 2013s ‘Guilt Trips’ LP and ‘Still Awake’ EP. His upcoming record, ‘Alone for the First Time’ drops early November, and will be a “personal reaction to the current state of electronic and rock music” I’m sure we will hear a preview in two weeks when he opens for Danny Brown.
Ryan Hemsworth plays at 9:00PM on Saturday October 25th at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre.
Tennyson
This teenaged brother and sister from Edmonton, Alberta have a very eclectic style, blending jazz keys, ambient synth and live percussion into a high energy show. They’ve released several tracks on SoundCloud and iTunes and if you can’t make it to HPX you can catch them on a coast-to-coast North American tour with Ryan Hemsworth this fall.
Tennyson plays at 8:00PM on Saturday October 25th at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre and at 11:30PM at The Carleton.
Danny Brown
There is no one in the rap game as unique as Danny Brown. From his appearance to his vocal delivery, to his animated lyrics, most first-time-listeners don’t believe he is for real. I’ve seen Danny Brown twice and the energy he brings to the stage is unmatched. If you are looking to party and get involved in a show, make it this one. Pick up his records ‘XXX’ and ‘Old’ and start googling those lyrics.
Danny Brown performs at 10:00PM on Saturday October 25th at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre.
I’ve made my own personal schedule around these acts, but there are many, many others who I hope to catch. Here are some other rap/electronic highlights:
Raekwon
Ghostface Killah
BADBADNOTGOOD
LTTRS & NMBRS
Pineo & Loeb
Smalltown DJs
Dead Horse Beats
Notables from other genres:
Tanya Teqaq
Twin Shadow
The Flatliners
Single Mothers
