Monstercat Compound in Vancouver

The Monstercat Compound Block Party is a free Vancouver festival. It features live performances, electronic music, visual arts and video games.

In 2021 the event took place on September 18th. In 2022 the Monstercat Compound Block Party takes place on Saturday, August 20th.

Click Monstercat Compound for the event’s official website.

Monstercat Compound Block Party in Vancouver

Monstercat Compound is an annual block party-style event that features electronic music, video games, art and more. The family-friendly festival is put together by Monstercat, which is a record label based in the City of Vancouver.

Since 2017, folks of all ages have gathered outside the company’s HQ for the annual street party. The event is usually held on a Saturday in August.

In 2020 the Monstercat Compound was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and provincial health restrictions. The 2021 Block Party, however, did happen. It took place on Saturday, September 18th, from 2:00 until 9:00 pm. The 4th annual event took place outside the Monstercat building located at 380 Railway Street in Vancouver.

The next Monstercat Compound Block Party takes place at the same location on August 20th in 2022.

Monstercat Compound 2021 Poster

2021 Musical Lineup

In 2021, Monstercat artists performed on the block party’s main stage. A different lineup curated by Westwood Recordings performed on the second stage.

For an idea of what to expect in 2022, the schedule from 2021 is below. (Note: times, artists and other details were subject to change.)

Monstercat Stage

2:00 pm – Sam Steele
3:00 pm – Rylan Taggart
4:05 pm – OBLVYN
4:55 pm – Eminence
5:55 pm – Sabai
6:55 pm – Tony Romera
8:00 pm – The Funk Hunters

Westwood Recordings Stage

2:00 pm – So Sus
3:00 pm – Shylow
4:00 pm – Sivz x Case of the Mondays
5:00 pm – Jessu x Pyka
6:00 pm – Kotek
7:00 pm – Defunk

Visit Monstercat‘s website for full details about the block party and the company behind it.

Activities

In addition to live music, guests can expect to see a beer garden, food trucks and street artists. Other activities at the block party usually include an air-brush tattoo station, a large street piano and various educational panels on career building and NFTs*. In 2021 there was also a section for video games where up to four people could compete in Rocket League, Mortal Kombat and more.

(* NFT stands for “Non-fungible token”. An NFT is a unit of data in a block chain. It certifies that a digital asset is unique. They can be tracked to prove ownership of things like videos, electronic games, music, photos and other kinds of digital intellectual property).

Monstercat Art and Music — Photos by Brandon Artis

Admission

The block party is open to the public and general admission is free. The organizers encourage everyone to RSVP via the Monstercat Compound website.

For folks wanting a more exclusive experience, premium passes are available for purchase on the Monstercat Compound website. In 2022 these passes cost $27.50 including taxes and fees. Folks who pay to attend can hang out in an exclusive lounge with a separate bar and washroom facilities.

The premium pass also provides access to areas with better views of the performances, including a balcony section. In addition, pass holders receive a 3-month subscription to Monstercat Gold.

Monstercat Video

The following video shows what Monstercat Compound looks like near the beginning of the event. In 2021 the block party ran from 2:00 until 9:00 pm. We got there with our camera at about 2:30, so not long after things were just getting started. Later in the afternoon (after we finished filming) the place got much busier. By evening most years the street is packed!

For comparison, the photo at the top of this article was taken in the late afternoon in 2019 (so after the place got busier, but before things got even more rocking!).

As you’ll see in the video, there are a couple of stages. When we visited in the early afternoon there were two DJs with each performing at different ends of the street. There were also market vendors, food trucks and a couple of beer gardens. It was a fun event.

About Monstercat

Monstercat is an independent electronic music record label. Founded in 2011 in Waterloo, Ontario, the company also has offices in Singapore and Los Angeles. Its Vancouver office’s address is 380 Railway Street. That location is about half a dozen blocks east of Gastown and a dozen or so blocks north of Chinatown. The Monstercat Compound block party happens in the street right outside.

Monstercat is a place for artists, musicians and all kinds of creative people. The company develops and promotes musicians, which is why they celebrate what they do each year by hosting Monstercat Compound.