Building a Fanbase From the Ground Up

Independant Artist Dub FX Gives Free Live Performances Before Montreal Show

Dub FX performs on St. Denis Street. Photo by Fanny Arnaud

In anticipation of street performer Dub FX’s show at Telus Theatre this weekend, Montrealers got a teaser performance on the terrace of ChuChai Wednesday afternoon. As an independent artist, live performance is how Dub FX builds his reputation.

Already well known on social media, the Melbourne native is developing his fanbase through an appearance at the Urbana Festival. On Saturday he will be performing with his fiancée, the Flower Fairy, and guests Snareophobe and Starfighter.

Dub FX, AKA Benjamin Stanford, said he creates, “rich live music using only his own performance aided by live looping and effect pedals combined with his voice to create intricate hip-hop, reggae, dubstep and drum and bass rhythms.”

Fans waited patiently in front of ChuChai for the free performance Wednesday afternoon. When it started, the crowd grew and three police cars surrounded them to clear the road. Dub Fx had a good sense of humour and just asked people to move forward toward the stage.

The performance was part of Urbana, a Collaborative Urban Arts project founded by Ari Tietolman and Dave Lee in April 2002, which celebrates street art. Benjamin Stanford and the Flower Fairy performed on a stage prepared by the group of artists En Masse who painted the whole terrace with
graffiti.

Dub FX gave two free shows Wednesday (the first one was on Place Emilie Gamelin) as he starts his North American tour with the Montreal show September 15.

Dub FX with Snareophobe, Starfighter and the Flower Fairy at Le Théatre Telus (1280 St-Denis) / Sept. 15 / 10 p.m. / $27