Let Fresh Music Freaks’ experienced festival and electronic dance music aficionados guide you in your EDC Las Vegas 2019 Friday, May 17th artist choices. With a good mix of genres, we wouldn’t dream of leading you astray. Take our hand and we’ll journey from uplifting Trance, to shuffling House, to dark Techno, and wubby Bass.
Managing Editor Sandra Huitt aka Tigerlily’s Top 5 DO NOT MISS artists:
1. Eric Prydz
House and Techno snobs can breathe a sigh of relief. Eric Prydz is committed to retaining the underground purity of the genres. What started out as a bit of fun making music for Swedish DJ and producer Eric Prydz exploded into his three labels: Mouseville, Pryda, and Pryda Friends. Mouseville is dedicated to hard-edge Techno, Pryda to more melodic House, and Pryda Friends to release all the tracks Eric’s talented friends keep sending in. Committed to his musical vision, I have no fear of Eric selling out to the masses like so many legends before him. His live sets are legendary, featuring lengthy build-ups that explode into sheer mayhem. Many link him to his epic HOLO sets, but I would see him in a dark room with some basic lasers ANYTIME. I’m most excited to see Eric Prydz Day One of EDC Las Vegas on the Circuit Grounds stage.
2. The Glitch Mob
This will be the first time these talented gents have made my must-see list. I can attribute that to my recent straying from the confines of Trance, House, and Techno, not to any fault or flaw of their own. During college, I went through a dangerous period of depression when Nine Inch Nails was almost exclusively what I listened to. So I recognize many of the industrial sounds The Glitch Mob use in their tracks from my love of all things Trent Reznor. The connection between the two has always endeared TGM to me. Where so many artists fall short mixing Rock into their sets, The Glitch Mob excel. Their remix of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” is filthy! I’ve seen them a handful of times, but their Portland show this past December was ridiculous, as in sexy, dirty goodness. The shit part was I had a rib out of place and couldn’t dance as I wished without intense pain, so seeing them on the Basspod stage at EDC Las Vegas will be the perfect redemption.
3. Liquid Stranger
Until the end of last year, I was a stranger to most Bass. The little I knew of it was limited to the bigger artists that Bassheads talk about breaking their neck to. Having been in a couple of car accidents that left me with whiplash and a fragile neck, the idea of breaking it is wildly unappealing. However, as Managing Editor I have to edit articles about all kinds of Bass, and after reading multiple articles from contributors like Erik Sisco, who writes amazingly well about all kinds of artists I’ve never heard of, including Wakaan’s own Liquid Stranger, he convinced me to give some of it a listen. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it! A big part of that is due to Martin Stääf’s ability to mix the music of many different cultures into his Dubstep. I’ll also attribute growing up immersed in reggae in Hawaii as another reason I hold a special place in my heart for his 2015 “Anomaly: The Collection” album. Looks like you’ll find me at the Basspod stage at EDC Las Vegas 2019 at least twice on Friday, May 17th.
4. Gorgon City (Live)
Easily one of my top two shows of 2018, these guys were an unexpected, fantastic surprise. They had two live singers; male and female, with great energy, wonderful crowd interaction, and if it weren’t for the sound of their inhalations, I would’ve thought they were lip syncing. That’s how good their voices were. Gorgon City crosses genres, with many of their tracks almost Pop-like, which I normally shun. But unlike most Pop, their subject matter goes a bit deeper and lyrics often appeal to me just as much as the melody. Take a listen to “Saving My Life”, a track about doing your best to discover greater meaning in life outside of money and possessions by putting in the work to follow your dreams and save your own life. With only two live acts in the entire festival, do not miss Gorgon City. They’ll be working their magic on the Cosmic Meadow stage this year.
5. Above & Beyond
The music that these guys produce as both Above & Beyond and Oceanlab has changed not just my life, but the lives of so many people in the Anjunafamily that some say they have a cult following. I definitely wouldn’t go that far, but I will say that their tracks can dig into your very core and bring out more tears of joy and sorrow than any other artist I’ve heard. Just take a look around you at any of their shows and you’ll see more people crying, hugging, kissing, smiling, and singing than you’ve ever seen before, and most of us Anjunafam know all the words by heart. Affectionately referred to as “the boys,” they’ve translated many of their most popular tracks into several Acoustic albums and tours with full orchestras and live singers. All three are talented musicians, recording and performing the Acoustic albums with Tony McGuinness singing and playing the guitar, ukulele, and mandolin, Jono Grant on the vibraphone, Rhodes piano, and guitar, and Paavo Siljamäki playing the grand piano and cello. I had the opportunity to see them five times last year and I’ll be flying into Las Vegas just in time to see Above & Beyond at KAOS’ EDC Week pool party on Thursday, May 16th before seeing them again the following day. Don’t miss the opportunity to release all those feelings singing your heart out with me at the Circuit Grounds stage at EDC Las Vegas 2019.
Editor-at-Large Meag Bo’s Top 5 DO NOT MISS artists:
1. 4B
Just three years ago 4B was bringing out Soulja Boy during his EDC Performance. Now the thriving young producer has worked on such labels as Mad Decent, Interscope, Dim Mak and many more. Bobby McKeon, an 11 year veteran of the game, is now gearing up for another round Under the Electric Sky. Taking on the Cosmic Meadow stage, I am truly hoping for him to play his booty bouncing anthem of 2015, “Pop Dat”. Whether he does or does not, you can be sure to find me bouncing my booty to his beats on the first day of EDC Las Vegas 2019.
2. Audien
I have had the greatest pleasure of running into Audien multiple times this year. My first encounter, which is where I learned of his music, was his performance at Insomniac owned Los Angeles club, AcademyLA. His performance was remarkable and completely hyped me up for Beyond Wonderland: Day Two. To say the least, Nathaniel “Nate” Rathbun has captivated me. For the second time on my Top Artist list, I am thankful to run into him at the Circuit Grounds stage for EDC Las Vegas 2019. Lucky for Los Angeles, Audien is stopping by the W Hotel in Hollywood on Saturday, May 4th on the Road to EDC Tour, sponsored by Corona Beach. There is currently still free RSVP available as well as tickets for purchase. The daytime event runs from 12 pm to 8 pm. Be there if you can Freaks! Audien has not let me down yet!
3. Born Dirty
Born Dirty is not a rookie when it comes to the large named festival stages. Most recently he performed at Ubbi Dubbi Fest in Fort Worth, TX. Making a return to the Las Vegas Speedway, Born Dirty is going in heavy. Not only is he playing at the Cosmic Meadow stage on Day One, but he is also participating in CAMP EDC pool parties on Saturday, May 18th! With such large support behind him such as OWSLA, Dirtybird, Fool’s Gold, and more Born Dirty is not short on talent and one to watch.
4. Ganja White Night
All the way from Brussels, Belgium this Bass Duo is seriously killing the game. I still have an extremely vivid memory of going on my personal adventure at Beyond Wonderland: Day One. During that adventure, I remember hearing this filthy music coming from a nearby stage. I quickly checked my handy-dandy schedule to learn it was Ganja White Night. Unfortunately, my safety timer ran out and I needed to return to my group. The memory holds strong and is why I am so thankful to see they will be taking on the Basspod stage this year!
5. Party Favor
It is true what he says, The Party Never Dies with Party Favor. This wild one is sure to lead us into a truly epic weekend in Las Vegas. Not only is Dylan Ragland, or as most know him, Party Favor, playing on the Cosmic Meadow stage on Friday. He is also performing at JEWEL Nightclub on Saturday, May 18 as apart of EDC WEEK. I cannot say that I have had the opportunity to rage with this rockstar before but, I will 100% have my dancing feet rested and prepared for this set.
*Featured Image of EDC Las Vegas 2018 Stage Via EDC FB Page*
