Students flock to Citadel Hill for Magnetic World Music Festival

Magnetic World, a three-day music festival chock full of EDM, rap and hip-hop performances, returned to the Garrison Grounds in Halifax at the end of September. 

Headliners included Dom Dolla, 21 Savage, The Kid Laroi and special guest BigXthaPlug. 

“I’m most excited for Dom Dolla,” says Lucas Irwin, a first-year community design student at Dalhousie, who attended opening night. “We’re going to rave, we’re going to have a great time.” 

Dom Dolla finished the night with a near two-hour DJ set, complete with lasers beaming from the stage onto Citadel Hill. Many in the crowd adorned pashminas and sunglasses, transforming the Garrison Grounds into a nightclub.

“All rap sucks, so Dom Dolla is the GOAT. Dom Dolla is the fucking GOAT,” says Gavin Cooke, a fourth-year computer science student at Dal.

After a sweaty first night, the festival switched gears with an all-rap lineup for night two. Opening for 21 Savage, Roy Woods, a Canadian rapper and singer from Brampton Ont., primed the audience with an energetic set.

As the sky turned dark, the crowd grew larger. When 21 Savage was ready to take the stage, people in the pit were packed in like sardines.

21 Savage’s well-known discography did the heavy lifting during his performance. 

He relied on his hits to hype up the crowd while he occupied the stage with the presence of a dead fish.

Rather than amped, the crowd became aggressive. Pushing, shoving and even some hitting ensued as fans fought for a better view of the Saturday headliner.

Caitlin Mullaley travelled from Newfoundland to attend the festival. She was in the pit during 21 Savage’s performance. 

“It was crazy, I had a little bit of a panic attack, but once I came out, we were good,” says Mullaley.

BigXthaPlug and The Kid Laroi closed out the festival’s final night. With a cigarette in hand, BigXthaPlug performed a mix of country and rap. 

“I liked [BigXthaPlug’s] country music more, which is crazy because I’m really into rap as well, but his country music got me more excited,” Mullaley says. 

BigXthaPlug fed the audience’s energy with engaging crowd work, making for a memorable set.

Cooper Nichol, a fourth-year computer science student at Dal, attended all three days. His favourite performer on the final day was BigXthaPlug. 

“He’s the biggest; the largest,” Nichol says. “It’s been really good; a lot of fun and good vibes all around.”

The Kid Laroi, the festival closer, performed like a star, all while dressed in slacks and a white button-down. The hitmaker had fans teeming with anticipation as he entered the stage. Electric choreography, an intoxicating solo from his guitarist and a trip to greet fans in the pit made for an unforgettable ending to the weekend.