Local DJ snags main stage set at Kitchener's electronic music fest Ever After

Two local DJs will make their main-stage debut with back-to-back sets at the Ever After music festival in Kitchener next weekend.

Highbred and True North are scheduled to play the electronic music festival Saturday, June 9.

"For me, it's the best thing ever since I've been in Waterloo for about six years and doing music for about six years so it's kind of being my dream since I heard about the festival," said Kevin McVey who performs as Highbred. "Tons and tons of hours go into it. You have to make sure all your elements of your song is there … It takes hours and hours."

Canadian DJ and music producer Excision is headlining the festival this year, and DJs from around the world are scheduled to perform, including Borgore from Tel Aviv, Israel, Pendulum from Perth, Australia, Camo & Krooked from Vienna, Austria and Liquid Stranger from Sweden.

In 2017, the festival drew more than 20,000 people as well as several dozen noise complaints.

More than 100 noise complaints were made on the final day of the festival, leading the city to lower the festival's noise exemption to 55 decibels.

McVey said he thinks that's in part because of the genre of music at the festival.

"Ever After being a louder festival, I can see the concerns, but what it does for our economy is incredible so I don't see it being a problem. When there's other music festivals around the area that don't get complaints and have louder decibels – it's just kind of strange to see," he said.

The festival has invested in new tech this year that allows organizers to direct sound away from places where there are complaints or concerns.

"Hopefully the communities around will not be able to hear a thing," McVey said.

He'll be premiering a new mix for his set on Saturday.

"It's amazing to be up there," he said. "It's going to be a big party and no matter who you are you're going to be able to enjoy this festival."