Bass Coast talent booker and artist Max Ulis believes that’s exactly what makes them so compelling.

“The impact of a live set at a festival is always huge,” says Ulis. “Live sets are risky, and I think the audience can feel that. That element of danger is exciting. It’s also extremely personal, and that is very special in a festival setting.”

Curious about what goes into these performances? RANGE connected with three artists appearing at Bass Coast this year to discuss their setups, creative processes, and the joys of embracing uncertainty.

Christian Löffler: Building Songs in Real Time

German producer Christian Löffler returns to Bass Coast after an unforgettable sunrise closing set in 2023 that left the crowd chanting for one more track long after his scheduled finish.

“That was such a special moment,” Löffler recalls. “I wasn’t expecting that energy in the morning. I’m excited to return and experience the difference of playing at night.”

For his upcoming live PA, Löffler will perform using Ableton Live, launching stems and samples while reshaping songs in real time. Using MIDI controllers, drum machines, and synthesizers, he can alter filters, reverbs, delays, and other effects on the fly.

“It usually differs every time depending on the energy and vibe,” he explains.

The result is a performance that remains fluid, allowing each audience experience to become unique.

Carmen: A Conversation Between Machines and Crowd

Portugal-born, Vancouver-based artist Carmen will make his Bass Coast debut this year, bringing a hybrid setup that combines digital instruments with modular synthesizers.

Rather than simply reproducing finished tracks, Carmen sees live performance as an opportunity to work directly with the building blocks of his music.

“I’m changing sequences, tweaking sounds, adding effects, and sometimes completely changing direction based on how things are unfolding,” he says.

His setup includes Elektron samplers, Eurorack modular gear, and analog synthesizers that introduce an element of unpredictability into every performance.

“Hardware doesn’t always behave exactly as expected,” he explains. “Temperature changes, different sound systems, patch variations, or simply a happy accident can push a set in a new direction.”

For Carmen, those surprises are part of the appeal.

“Sometimes the best parts of a set come from a mistake, an unexpected modulation, or a sound that behaves differently than I anticipated.”

He describes live performance as a unique exchange between artist, audience, machines, and environment.

“Every set becomes a conversation between the machines, the space, the crowd, and myself. The unpredictability keeps the music alive and responsive throughout the journey.”

AWood: Rediscovering the Craft Through Vinyl

Vancouver techno artist and Curve YVR founder AWood will bring an all-vinyl set to Bass Coast this summer.

For them, vinyl offers something that digital formats often cannot: a deeper connection to the music and its history.

“When I play my records, especially the older ones, I feel strongly connected to our DJ ancestors who played these tracks on ’90s and ’00s dance floors,” they say.

AWood describes vinyl as a return to intentionality and presence. Every transition happens in real time, without the safety nets that modern technology often provides.

“Vinyl has made me fall completely in love with the craft again,” they explain. “Every transition is a high-risk, high-reward moment.”

That unpredictability extends beyond mixing itself. Wind, environmental conditions, or simple human error can all influence a performance.

“One of my favourite things about vinyl sets is letting go of the obsession with perfection,” AWood says. “The challenge and unpredictability is part of the fun.”

At the same time, they credit Bass Coast’s experienced stage and sound teams for creating an environment where artists can confidently take creative risks.

Leaving Room for Discovery

Despite their different approaches, all three artists share a common philosophy: leaving space for the unexpected.

Whether it’s Christian Löffler rebuilding songs through live stems, Carmen responding to the unpredictable behaviour of modular synthesizers, or AWood embracing the imperfections of vinyl, each performer views uncertainty as an essential part of creativity.

In a world where so much music is polished and predictable, these artists remind us that some of the most memorable moments happen when things don’t go exactly according to plan.

And that’s exactly what makes live performance at Bass Coast so special.

See you on the dance floor.