Mad Decent cuts down Block Party tour to only two stops for 10th anniversary
Ten years ago, Diplo launched Mad Decent Block Party in Philadelphia, closing off one single street to host a free day party that featured a handful of hip-hop and dance acts, who were at the time still considered to be underground talents. Fast forward to a decade later and the Mad Decent Block Party had flourished into a booming country-wide touring circuit, and eventually, an ill-fated party cruise offshoot.
Now, as it comes time to celebrate the event’s 10-year anniversary, Mad Decent must dial back from last year’s 15 stops down to merely two. According to the label and event organizers, Mad Decent has not been able to completely avoid the effects of the so-called EDM bubble’s market over-saturation, and thus, their ten year milestone will only be celebrated in Philly and Colorado this year.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Mad Decent elaborates,
“Due to the overwhelming amount of festivals and dance events that now exist, talent and venues are limited for an event that is meant to be affordable to the masses. Because we only want to deliver a quality experience in a few markets this year, we have chosen to dial back Mad Decent Block Party to Philly and Denver for 2 special 10th anniversary events.
We put together an incredible lineup for our return to Red Rocks – Major Lazer, Cashmere Cat and Alison Wonderland to name a few – and all proceeds from Philly’s block party will be benefit Beyond The Bars, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to bringing musical equipment and instruction to incarcerated and underserved youth.”
Performances from 4B, Flosstradamus, Slumberjack, Nadastrom and more are lined up for the Red Rocks and Philadelphia shows. The move seems to be a somewhat abrupt fall from grace for the Block Party brand, which expanded to India last year, and in 2014 made an impressive 22 stops across North America.
Surviving and thriving for a decade now, Mad Decent Block Party will look a little different this year, although with an added philanthropic angle and just two special dates, the event should be in higher demand in 2017 than any prior year.
Read More:
Diplo explains why ‘Bank Roll’ was taken down, uploads new version with Rich Chigga
Listen to Diplo’s groovy two hour long house-heavy mix
Listen to Diplo and Lil Yachty’s new collaboration ‘Forever Young’
Categories: News