EDM Concert Returns on September 4
By Lindsay Campbell
Last year, when the first live EDM concert came to Thunder Bay, it was far more successful than its organizers could believe. This September, the second annual Live Free Live Righteous community-centered concert will be returning to entertain fans of all ages.
Predominately organized by Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, the concert aims to promote equality, diversity, and respect. “Live Free Live Righteous is about living a type of life where you free yourself of any constraints that others might place on you and live righteously by not placing constraints on other people,” explains lead coordinator Anthony Maunula. “We are really trying to build up people emotionally and mentally so they can live the life that they want to live.”
While the event’s message has stayed the same, Maunula says organizers have made a number of changes to improve the event from last year. This includes bigger staging, a larger number of LED screens, and upgraded lighting tools as well as audio. He adds there will be a larger group of better-known artists. The lineup will feature Laidback Luke, Grandtheft, Autoerotique, Cheat Codes, DJ Shub, and DJ Blvck Sheep. A contest to determine the opening act will be offered to local artists in the Thunder Bay region.
Another event novelty is its charitable aspect. When festival-goers purchase a ticket, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay. Though it was important to be able to give back to a charity they support, Maunula says it was even more significant to be hosting the concert for a second time. “This is very special for us considering the history of First Nations in the region and Canada as a whole,” he explains. “I think from any group of people that were marginalized or stigmatized, there’s a great sense of strength and power that can come from the fact that we are lending a hand to support other people that are not in the same position. It would be special for anyone to be a part of this, but even more so because we are First Nation, it’s just that much more special for us.”
Live Free Live Righteous will take place at Fort William Historical Park on September 4 from 3-11 pm. Tickets are available through Shout! Media, Rockhouse nightclub and livefreeliverighteous.com.
Featured image credit: Doug Van Sant Photography via Facebook
