It is a well know fact that February tends to be the coldest month of the year in Toronto. That really didn’t seem to phase the thousands of fans who packed into the Technodome and Echo Beach Main Stage at the second annual Brrrrr! Winter Music Festival. Frigid weather conditions hovered Toronto for weeks leading up to the event, luckily the night of it temperatures gracefully stayed at 1°C (34°F). Warm enough to have some party goers remove their jackets and dance freely through the snow and slush.

The Technodome was packed wall to wall, not to mention it looked like a plunge bath full of wet mud. Trying to squeeze through the crowd to get to the front was near impossible but successfully accomplished. Holloh, Eric Volta, Hot Since 82, Lee Foss and Sharam all took control in the dome, with Hot Since 82 being my favourite set of the night. Highlighted tracks included Come Out To Play - Anek (Sante Remix) and of course the insane Bigger Than Prince - Green Velvet (Hot Since 82 Remix).

Over at the Echo Beach Stage the crowd looked more like an all ages venue. Matt Zanardo, Joe Ghost, Henrix, Felix Cartal, Bassjackers and Wolfgang Gartner all rounded out Echo Beach. After posting up on the main stage I was able to catch Henrix in the midst of his set. I was really excited to see what he could bring, and did he ever warm the crowd up. His set was filled electronic bangers, and quick mixes. Crowd favourites included Sick Individuals- I Am, a nasty Charlie Darker edit of Encoded w/ Raise Your Hands vs. The Alarm, and a Henrix personal festival bootleg of Axwell’s- In My Mind. The festival bootleg was so grimey I personally had to ask Henrix after his set backstage if there was any way I could acquire it, sadly not.

The Canadian prodigy hailing from Vancouver, BC Felix Cartal hopped on after Henrix and kept the crowd going. Felix dropped insane mashups one included a Britney Spears Toxic Remix, yes Britney Spears you heard correct! Whether it was a mashup or unreleased banger Felix brought the Canadian vibe from his cross Canada flight. I Can’t Believe- Nom De Strip, Boo Yah- Showtek and the 2013 festival banger Animals- Martin Garrix (Botnek Remix) rounded out his set.

Marlon Flohr one half of Bassjackers stepped onto the decks at 8:30, with the crowd already raging and roaring from a great hour of track selection by Felix Cartal. Bassjackers did not disappoint on this winter evening, as Marlon stepped on the lights and smoke machine glimmered through the air as he dropped popular hits. They included Crackin’-  Martin Garrix Remix, Wild Child- Bassjackers Remix, and a very booming mix of Raveology by DVBBS and Vinai into Lethal Industry by Tiesto into Blasterjaxx- Mystica.

The headliner for the night was on next and it was the one and only Wolfgang Gartner, capping off an already amazing festival with what could be considered the set of the night.  Not phased by the frigid cold Canadian winter weather Wolfgang casually stepped on stage, removed his shoes, yes his shoes, and jacket before launching into an explosive set!  Wolfgang had already performed in Toronto at Digital Dream this past summer, but was able to deliver a fresh new set, starting off with a techy feel, but then quickly switching to high energy mashups and classic Wolfgang originals. Highlighted tracks include Anaconda – Wolfgang Gartner, Ante up – M.O.P vs Da Phunk – Daft Punk, Space Junk – Wolfgang Gartner, and a filthy festival mashup of Iggy Azzsalea – Work. The crowd had been raging hard all night in the cold but once the dance music legend stepped on the decks their energy was absolutely astonishing.

Can Brrrr 2015 come any sooner?