Tomorrow I set off to another music festival, although this time it's the farthest north I've ever been. Michigan.
Yeah, I know, I need to travel more.
Rothbury, Michigan will host Electric Forest from June 28 to July 1. The festival has local philanthropic initiatives this year such as a Food Drive, Electric Forest's Music In Schools program, art and music sessions and of course the lineup that most travel to see perform live.
Four days in a tent. Music. Bass. I don't think I have ever been this antsy before in my life. I've been to EDC Dallas in summer of 2011, Lights All Night New Year's event of 2011 and plenty of shows, but for some reason I can't even contain my excitement.
The lineup this year is insane. [It seems like every lineup for every festival improves each year.] But there are certain artists I'm looking forward to the most. Thought I'd go ahead and share my top 5 and why.
5. Bassnectar
Besides the fact that I just love his long hair -- It's longer than mine -- Bassnectar (Lorin Ashton) throws down some filthy, raunchy tracks that get the crowd going. Maybe it's because he was originally influenced by such groups as Nirvana, Megadeth and Metallica when he started up his EDM career.
Another skill he possess is being able to collaborate and remix with other artists' work so well. He's worked with some of my favorites like Gogol Bordello, Datsik and Ellie Goulding. I have never seen this man live before and I can assure you that I look forward to jumping into his style of breakbeat, glitch and dubstep.
4. Ghostland Observatory
Now this is one group I have seen live. The duo of Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner hail from Austin. Turner is usually on the keyboards contributing to background vocals in a robotic-sounding voice and is a master with a synthesizer. (Not to mention he wears a cape.)
Behrens is the lead vocals and even plays guitar. Behrens is up onstage dancing around throwing his hair in all different directions. Their sound is so different, with varied takes on New Wave, rock, funk and electro. Maybe that's why I enjoy them so much. But if it's one thing I've learned from seeing them perform live it's their light show is mesmerizing.
One word: Lazers.
