Arriving just in time to catch Oliver Heldens’ 4PM set, I decided to start day 2 off in the VIP area that my media pass so graciously granted my financially deprived self access to. Inside a fenced-in area where everyone was able to hold on to their personal space, there was: a tented main bar complete with couches to lounge on; a side bar for quick drink runs; an elevated platform to watch the main stage front and centre; and, bathroom trailers a Sasquatch- step above the usual porta-pottys.
For my first time experiencing VIP access, I would say it’s definitely a worthwhile upgrade for those who don’t mind hanging back and watching from afar without having to be too involved in shenanigans. Though there was a considerable entry-line bypass for VIP wristband wearers, the only thing missing from the entire package was a VIP parking area, but beggars (me) can’t be choosers.
Perching myself on the elevated platform, I watched Oliver Heldens’ perform fast-paced deep house from centre stage. For me, his set – or at least what I caught of it before the ensuing chaos – was one of my top 3 of the entire event. He was diverse in his music selection and kept the party going without having to drop anything too heavy hitting for his afternoon set time. Declaring his love for Toronto in his thick Dutch accent, he dropped Disclosure’s newest song, “Holding On,” as well as a party-rocking remix of “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock, amongst others. Illuminated by a swarm of green lights and standing under a huge screen declaring his initials, Oliver Heldens took control of VELD 2015’s main stage in what would become the closing act.
At approximately 4:45PM, Heldens’ set unexpectedly wound down with a short fade out and an all-too familiar voice came on stage to make an announcement: imminent thunderstorms and tornado warnings had shut down the event. The event was being evacuated and all were asked to follow instructions and leave the site. As I passed a security guard on my way out, another attendee asked her why an event billed as “rain or shine” would be cancelled due to weather. She replied, “the metal”; shortly referring to the many steel structures present and the obvious risk lightning might pose to people near these structures.
The worst part of my entire VELD 2015 experience was, without a doubt, trying to leave the parking lot after the chaos of the site evacuation. Though I can never be sure, it felt as if I was one of the first people prepared to leave the parking lot as I presumed the exit would be disastrous. Despite this, I spent over 2 hours trying to escape from the poorly organized lot. At least 10 rows of cars were struggling to merge together into the 2 lanes that exited the parking lot into a 1 lane road – one that exited out to a main road already abound with cars and buses. For an event expecting this many attendees, I would have expected a more organized parking strategy – it would have been more efficient for everyone involved.
Though, to many, VELD 2015 was a letdown, I wouldn’t point the finger at INK Entertainment or anyone involved in its organization or promotion. A friend clued me in to a radio broadcast he heard on Saturday regarding VELD’s rain delay – it was due to thunderstorms being present within a certain radius of the event. Certain protocol is in place from the government in situations like these, and there is nothing that really could have been done to avoid that.
On Sunday, tornados were reportedly touching ground not too far away from Toronto. Additionally, the very thunderstorms that the site was evacuated for started a mere 30 minutes after the evacuation and lightning was continually visible for the next 2 hours that I was in the area trying to leave the parking lot. Though the inclement weather did eventually clear up (only to return later that night), it was too little, too late, as the steel structures were likely already torn down for safety precautions.
Sometimes, things don’t go our way – we just have to mutually bite the bullet and realize it was for our own safety.