VANTEK

Founded in Vancouver in 2019, VANTEK promotes the city’s underground techno culture. Events have taken place at Industrial 236, 1201 Franklin St and a warehouse at 1930 Powell Street; some locations are not disclosed in advance. At 236 Industrial, events drew as many as about 1,200 people against a posted capacity of 800, and VANTEK was fined for exceeding that limit. Co-founder Pau Vila said fines and the city’s withdrawal of its arts and culture event licence preceded the closure of two East Vancouver venues in early December.

VANTEK events feature techno and hard techno, with bookings including Doctor Jeep, Handsome Tiger, Steph Tsunami and Tim Reaper. Its Ravers Appreciation Day series gives a resident the chance to select competition-winning DJs for a lineup. Tension is a recurring night.