Toronto ON, May 25 – This fourth and final day clinched the successful status of the Aftermath Festival. It left many minds blown, and many comments on social media expressing hopes for another one the next year. Most importantly, Aftermath brought hope to many people that saw the cancellation of Kinetik as part of the trend of alternative clubs closing all over North America. Something had to come around and rally people in Toronto for the rest of the world to see, and this appears to have been the much-needed kick in the ass. Sure, it’s probably uphill all the way from here, but that’s the direction you go in order to ascend a hill.
For All The Emptiness opened the set with dramatic music for the early arrivals, and once again there were many of those. Glass Apple Bonzai followed with a unique fun throwback to 80s retro synth music, complete with vintage synthesizers, old computers, and drum machines. Surgyn performed third and pretty much blew the whole room away, and industrial trio Panic Lift brought up the sonic intensity after that. Then came a very well known group that always has a distinct way about interviews, De/Vision. Last, Aesthetic Perfection brought the tempo up again to close out the evening, leaving everybody physically exhausted after four days, but still having difficulty believing this was over. I for one hope this happens again, but I wouldn’t be surprised with a name change–should this festival continue, it’s not just going to be the Aftermath of Kinetik. It’s something unto itself, independent of its predecessor, and I’m curious to see where the organizers will take this.
photos : C. Lang Photography
– Dylan Madeley
