Northern Nights is less than a month away and our excitement is nearing critical levels. It’s one of our favorite festivals on the West Coast circuit, so we are beyond eager to return to that majestic redwood grove and the cool waters of the Eel River’s swimming holes.
[Photo: Jesse Rather]
And speaking of the river, come prepared to spend quite a bit of time in it; at least half the party goes down on its sandy shores and within its depths at the festival’s River Stage. We’ve got to say, there’s truly no feeling that compares to soaking up the sun on a raft with your whole squad while the music is blasting and all sorts of silly debauchery is taking place around you. And with the stage’s lineup looking absolutely stacked this year, we wanted to share our excitement by highlighting five artists whose performances you absolutely cannot miss out on. Read on past the jump to check them out; we hope to see you out there!
NORTHERN NIGHTS
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[Photo: Brian Desimone]
5.) Deejay Theory
A staple of both the NNMF lineup and the San Francisco club scene, Deejay Theory is all about bridging the gap between the party and the beach, making him a perfect fit for the River Stage. His infectious blend of dancehall, tropical bass, and pop never fails to put asses on the dance floor and we’re sure he has something special in store for this year. Check out his exclusive mix for the festival below!
[Photo: TF Photography]
4.) SugarBeats
GRiZ isn’t the only one bringing those groovy, future funk vibes to the gathering’s sound systems. Oregon’s own SugarBeats are bringing their own brand of glitch-hop to the table and we can’t wait to boogie down with them. Since launching in 2012, they’ve steadily raised the bar with their blend of playful melodies, jazzy chords, and uplifting vocals. With remixes for the likes of Opiuo, Delhi 2 Dublin, and many more under their belt and absolutely killer performances at festivals like Lightning in a Bottle and Snowglobe, you can be sure this set will be more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
[Photo: Alex Abaunza]
3.) SNBRN
Taught to play piano and trumpet at age 6 and exposed to the likes of Moby and Fatboy Slim at age 12, Los Angeles-based SNBRN has always had a passion for creating music. He’s taken the dance music scene by storm over the last couple years, blazing a path to the top with a slew of dazzling remixes and contagiously catchy originals. A pioneer of both the gritty ‘G-house’ style and the more sultry, sun-drenched house that’s recently gained popularity, he brings an undeniable energy to his performances.
2.) Daktyl
If you like experimental, beat-driven future bass, you’re very much in luck. Daktyl is one of the reigning champs of the genre and once you get an earful of his tunes, you’ll quickly see why. He utilizes his talents as a multi-instrumentalist to create otherworldly atmospheres and a uniquely textured sound that surrounds and envelops the listener. His style is multi-faceted and cannot be contained to one genre; expect a buffet of wonky beats, masterful drum work, and absolutely gorgeous synth melodies.
1.) Lafa Taylor
If his performance at Lightning in a Bottle was any indication, this might just end up being the most fun set of the weekend. Criss-crossing the intersection of intelligent hip-hop, R&B, and dance music, Lafa Taylor‘s gritty, sexy, bass heavy beats confidently blur boundaries and captivate listeners with a diverse collage of sounds and spectacles. It’s really no wonder that he’s a frequent collaborator of Bassnectar, along with Beats Antique and The Polish Ambassador. With a vocal style that ranges from smooth melodies to tongue twisting rapid rhymes, Lafa’s music carries a message of inspiration that is relatable and encourages people to be their unique selves. On top of that, he’s an insanely talented beat-boxer and dancer, so prepare to be dazzled.
[Cover photo: Jesse Rather]
