By James Pleasant
Skrillex, typically known for his monstrous EDM anthems, is partnering with non-profit Bridges for Music on his Full Flex Express tour in support of music education.
During the tour, Skrillex’s handpicked acts will donate tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of music equipment to local youth music centers in each city on the tour, courtesy of Pioneer Corporation. The tour, spanning across Canadian provinces including Ottawa, Ontario and Pemberton, British Columbia, will also offer kids from these music centers the opportunity to learn how use the equipment in special demos, and exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at the show.
The tour will also support Bridges for Music – a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing music education to developing countries. A portion of the tour’s ticket sales will be donated to Bridges for Music’s fund to build the Langa Music School in Cape Town, South Africa.
Bridges for Music will also be offering prizes in exchange for donations through Urgency Network, a crowdfunding website similar to Kickstarter. Prizes include backstage passes and a VIP prize package to attend any Skrillex concert in North America, even covering flight and accommodation.
Bridges for Music has been part of several music education projects including a scholarship program, which offers underprivileged South African youth the opportunity to pursue higher education degrees in sound engineering, with courses in music production, music business and film. Musicians such as Richie Hawtin, Skrillex and Luciano serve as ambassadors to Bridges for Music, and have partnered with them on different projects. Bridges for Music believes that “music and artists can help bridge the extensive gap that exists between the rich and the poor as well as between different races in developing countries.”
Diplo, Zed’s Dead, A$AP Ferg, Tycho, Kiesza, Hundred Waters and more will join Skrillex on tour.
For more information about Full Flex Express and to purchase tickets, click here. To find out more about Bridges for Music and to enter the Skrillex competition, click here.