This past weekend, the Red Bull Music Academy made a pitstop in Montréal during their pan-Canadian tour. Offering lectures and Q&A sessions with Martyn and Egyptrixx, the Academy also showcased a live show with 2011 edition participants Xavier León from Sibian & Faun. As they opened the night with a feel towards heavy drums and choppy R&B acapellas, music lovers and potential RBMA applicants poured in. The highlight of their set came when spacey bits of Ashanti surfaced as they played their hit 'I'm Sorry', leaving the crowd headnodding in approval. Mymanhenri followed next with what seemed like a relatively short set, presenting a brokenbeat-inclined show that is often typified on his blog 92bpm.com. The mood of the evening took a turn when Egyptrixx came onto the stage with resounding techno. The only distinct sound and feel being that it was droney and dark, all while being supported by Berlin-influenced expanding tones. Finally, Martyn emerged and commenced with a long intro, promptly followed by his 2011 hit 'Masks'. Blurring lines between house, techno, and dubstep, he delivered a live rendition to his various works including the hypnotic 'We Are You in The Future', his wonky dubstep remix of TRG's 'Broken Heart', as well as his collab piece 'All Night' with Luckyme's Mike Slott. 

Although far from being a party, most were pleased with the presentation. Treating the audience with a full lineup of live performances, the RBMA and MUTEK tour pushes for the redefinition of what is a 'live show' in EDM. In a period where pre-recorded DJ sets are becoming baffingly common, we hope for this intimate restructuring to be the future of electronic shows.