Electronica fans will be able to sample a whole lot of local talent during the fourth annual LEMF Lethbridge Electronic Music Festival in Galt Gardens, Aug. 15.
“We’re expecting our biggest turnout yet,” said Bass Works Entertainment owner and LEMF organizer José Streeter, noting they usually average between 2,000-2,500 people throughout the day-long event, which runs 11 a.m. -11 p.m..
He noted a wide demographic of people attend the event.
“The Kids Zone is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. so we get a lot of families and children and even seniors who attend,” he observed.
“Then the demographics shift after 7,” he said.
He said LEMF is an opportunity for electronic music aficionados as well as people who would like to experience a rave, but aren’t sure if they want to buy an expensive ticket or one in a bigger centre like Calgary.
“It’s an all ages event, so it gives people a chance to experience a rave without spending $100 on a ticket or having to be crammed into a small space,” he said.
“It’s a non-profit event, so it’s not like we’re tying to make money off people at every corner,” he continued, adding there is a lot of interest in the event.
“We have more people on Facebook who are saying they are going, so there is more awareness than ever before,” Streeter continued.
“The Luminosity stage will be drum and bass music while the Zodiac stage has more EDM music and breakdowns,” said Streeter, who will also be performing a set on that stage in between running around making sure the event runs smoothly.
“Most of the performers are from Alberta and one from Winnipeg. Lethbridge has a lot of DJs, so we want to showcase and share their music with people,” he said, adding that’s 
why he started DJing.
“I grew up in Boston and started going to lots of raves and started to DJ. When I moved to Lethbridge in 2004 I connected with other DJs which prompted me to start Bassworks Entertainment and the LEMF,” he said adding he is planning an even bigger event for LEMF’s fifth anniversary next year.
“I love the music and just want to share it with people,” he said.
This year there will be a beer garden, lots of food vendors and an expanded kids zone.
“The Kids Zone is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It has been doubled in size. We have a 60 foot obstacle course and a giant slide and more food trucks and more artisans and craftspeople,” he said.
While raves have a bad reputation for drugs, Streeter said it has never been a problem at LEMF.
“We have volunteer security and police on the site. Plus it’s in a public park and there isn’t any place to really hide. I don’t think the atmosphere is conducive to drug use. So we’ve never had a problem with it,” he said.
“It’s a community so the people attending LEMF want to present the community well to the community at large,” he said.
“We just became a non-profit society and as a non profit, we really appreciate our sponsors who help support this event,” he said.
Luminosity Stage presented by B93.3FM
10-11 Gumby (Winnipeg, MB)
9-10 Mittz (Calgary)
8-9 ERWIN the INTERN (Lethbridge)
7-8 Bigworm (Calgary
6-7 Millz Skillz (Lethbridge)
5-6 Aversive (Calgary)
4-5 Wigginz (Calgary)
3-4 Koot.C (Lethbridge
2-3 Verboze (Lethbridge)
1-2 Reverin (Lethbridge)
12-1 Sgt. Depth Charge (Lethbridge)
11-12 Solid Sounds (Calgary)
Zodiac Stage presented by BassWorks Entertainment
10-11 Steve Samurai (Lethbridge)
9-10 Breaking Babylon (Medicine Hat)
8-9 Phunky Le Freq (Lethbridge)
7-8 Fuze (Lethbridge)
6-7 Opie & Disko (Lethbridge)
5-6 Trelll (Lethbridge)
4-5 Marty Funkhouser (Lethbridge)
3-4 Streeter (Lethbridge)
2-3 DJ Rick Sharma (Calgary)
1-2 DJ Restrickted (Calgary)
12-1 Dj Rabbyt (Lethbridge)
11-12 Stougie (Lethbridge)
