Three nights of music and four days of video gaming – enough high-voltage entertainment to make you tilt?

“Join us for a show unlike anything North Carolina has ever seen before,” the organizers promise. Including rising global hit DJ’s from Mars.

Adds Walt Rotenberry, who teaches video game design at Wake Tech and helps run host Triangle Game Initiative: “We have the best line up to hit North Carolina period. With talent from all across the US and as far away as Italy along with some home grown rising stars from here at home.”

To be honest, the Tilt Music Festival and the Tilt Expo (which replaces previous festivals put on by The Escapist in Durham) would prefer rockers and gamers don’t go overboard.

But you may want to wear ear plugs.

From The White Panda to Ashes of a Martyr, electronic dance music bands are hitting the stages in Durham for three nights for the Tilt Music Festival next week. Gamers will be gathering for the Title Expo and they told organizers they prefer EDM. So its EDM all of the time on two stages. 

“2 STAGES WITH NON-STOP MUSIC OVER 3 NIGHTS,” promises the Triangle Game Initiative, which is putting on both festivals.

“The Tilt Music Festival brings an enhanced high-energy lineup with a mix of metal and DJs spanning the US to International phenomenons in the music industry,” TGI promises.

“Prepare for a sensory overload as the stages light up the space and performers rock the crowd while you dance your way into the FIRST human pinball game ever created while you score big!”

The Dance Card

Some of the bands include:

  • The White Panda
  • DJ’s from Mars
  • Gazzo
  • Aylen
  • Alex Young
  • Gent & Jawns
  • Matt Goldman
  • Kastra
  • DJ Cutman
  • Grimecraft
  • Ashes of a Martyr

Gamers Wanna Rock – EDM Style

So why EDM? That’s what gamers want, says Walter Rotenberry, who teaches game design at Wake Tech and is a big TGI supporter.

“I polled my students and young people at the gym I go to see what kind of music they like as this is an add on to the TiltExpo we felt it is important to have music that they will enjoy,” Rotenberry says. “Tom Gross, TGI’s treasure’s two children are both heavy into EDM festivals and have been a big help.

“The main reason we chose electronic is that it appeals to the gamer audience, this event is held right after schools starts back and hopefully before the rigger sits in so the students should be able to enjoy their weekend. Our main demographic is college students and young festival fans.”

But, hey, who says Rotenberry isn’t into EDM himself? Actually, he is.

“I only became an EDM fan a couple of years ago when we started adding it to our East Coast Gaming Conference party events and find it great when I need to stay awake driving – it is very energetic,” he explains.

“However, personally I am not a huge music buff but have found a love for EDM later in life but it may be just trying to stay engaged with my students.”

“Biggest Event”

Does he have a favorite? Yes, but the price wasn’t right.

“My favorite EDM DJ would is Armin van Buuren but we could not afford him and he was already booked in Europe,” Rotenberry says.

He’s keen to listen and watch DJ’s from Mars. “They are on the top 100 chart” and should be a hit with gamers, he points out. 

The addition of the music expo and putting on a gaming event in place of The Escapist has been no easy dance for TGI, however.

“We do have a very large team working to make all this happen and are investing a lot of money in this event – it is the biggest event that TGI has undertaken,” Rotenberry says. “We are volunteers helping to put NC on the map for games, music, and movies in this case.”

For the Tilt Music Festival schedule, visit the event website.

For the game event schedule, check out this site.