MIGOS STOLE THE SHOW
This past weekend’s HARD Summer marked the 10th anniversary of Hard Events, which debuted with a New Year’s Eve performance in 2007. HARD delivered a diverse array of both electronic and hip-hop music from Dog Blood to the MIGOS as well as some rising stars like Deux Twins and Russian producer duo VOLAC.
However, just before HARD Summer, LA Weekly reported that the event’s founder, Gary Richards aka DJ Destructo, will be leaving HARD’s parent company, Live Nation, making this HARD Summer his last. The news obviously spread fast among HARD’s loyal fans. HARD’s core call themselves the “ShipFam,” after Holy Ship!, HARD’s annual party cruise, and there appeared to be thousands of them, all wearing HARD or Holy Ship! hats and T-shirts, waving ShipFam banners and homemade signs, or decked out in pineapple-covered Hawaiian shirts; the ShipFam symbol.
There were special appearances during the DESTRUCTO set that included Yo Gotti who performed “Down in the DM’ and “Rake It Up” and Dances with White Girls who performed “Take Me To Your Leader” by emerging Dirtybird artist Walker & Royce. In addition, DESTRUCTO was joined by the legendary Giorgio Moroder who played his classic track “Last Dance” by Donna Summer.
Regardless of the politics between HARD’s founder Gary Richards, Live Nation, and numerous venue changes, HARD Summer 2017 delivered a safe environment for music fans and a memorable experience.
FESTPOP HARD SUMMER 2017 BABES
FESTPOP RISING STARS
VOLAC
Siberian childhood buddies Stas and Sasha, better known by their stage name VOLAC, is a Russian electronic duo. With a love for electronic music at a young age, Stas and Sash began producing something in-between house and hip-hop after their discovery of G-house in 2011. Check out their SoundCloud.
DEUX TWINS
Known together as the hip-hop-oriented act Deux, the sisters had been DJing for a few years when they signed with SKAM Artists last year. Constant touring has helped build their abilities and confidence—Vegas, Miami, and Denver are among their favorite cities to visit and play. Check out their SoundCloud.
FestPop Staff Writer, Azita Lotfi