Coachella: 5 Must-See EDM Acts
We’re now only a few weeks shy of the 16th annual Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California, bringing crowds of over 90,000 people over the course of two weekends of three days. It’s no secret that Coachella brings some of the top names in the music industry every year, making this Southern California festival one of the top festivals in the industry today. Their wide range of rock, indie, edm and pop artists causes attendees to blend together in a unique atmosphere, separate themselves from the real world, and dance all day in the warm Coachella Valley sun.
When you’re attending a festival with over 150 scheduled artists, you will most likely end up watching artists you’ve never heard of, straying away from the cliche, crowded top fifteen artists performing (although they’ll still be great) to broaden your horizons to discovering new artists. Multiple new artists I’ve personally started listening to have been discovered by wandering various stages at well known music festivals, with unique sounds catching my ear as I’m walking through the crowds. So for this matter, it’s only fair to give you guys a little heads up as to what edm artists we think you should definitely check out while wandering through Coachella!
Pete Tong - This DJ prodigy has been the face of BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix and Essential Selections for over two decades, and continues to be an influential member of the electronic and house era. Tong has been considered the “global ambassador for electronic music” as he left his English roots to reestablish himself in Los Angeles to take part in the growing U.S. electronic scene many years ago. Tong currently has three U.S. residencies in Miami, Los Angeles and Las Vegas known as All Gone Pete Tong, and has played at top festivals around the world such as TomorrowWorld, Creamfields, SW4 and more. Tong will be playing the 10th and 17th of Coachella this year, and has recently reestablished his record label FFRR, in which he has signed our next artist-to-see at Coachella this year, Oliver Heldens.
Oliver Heldens - I just recently did a piece on the release of Heldens' newest single “Melody”, in which this Netherlands native showed that he not only produces awesome deep house tunes, but also is able to produce total opposite melodies and still kick ass doing it. Being only twenty years old, the mentoring he has received from renowned artists such as Tiesto, Sander Van Doorn, Zeds Dead and more had led him to quickly excel to the top with no thought of slowing down. We’re very excited to see what he’s prepared for Coachella!
Gorgon City - Kye “Foamo” Gibbon and Matt “RacknRuin” Robson-Scott together are an English electro/garage-producing duo from London, England. Although they’ve only been mixing for a few years together, their fresh sound has already had them working with artists such as MNEK, Yasmin, Clean Bandit and more. With their first collab together only being in 2012, their EP’s have quickly climbed the UK Charts, with their single “Ready for Your Love” rising to number 4 on the UK Singles Charts. Our next artist to see, Kiesza, also helped in the process of co-writing “Go All Night”, which was sang by Jennifer Hudson.
Kiesza - When we all think of Kiesza we (probably) can’t help but think of her break hit “Hideaway”, but Kiesza is much more than a one-hit wonder and has some great new releases that need to be heard at Coachella. You’d never guess this talented musician first learned how to play the guitar while on active duty in the Royal Canadian Navy, or that she entered the Miss Universe Canada pageant in her past. But her past has led her to some amazing opportunities, as well as given her the opportunity to have her beautiful voice heard! Kiesza’s musical career has skyrocketed in the last year, taking “Hideaway” to number one on the UK Singles Chart, collabing with Diplo and Skrillex on “Take U There” and even writing songs for Rihanna.
DJ Snake - Whether it be Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”, Lil John’s “Turn Down for What” or Dillon Francis and Snake’s collab “Get Low”, this French producer throws it down every time. Under the Mad Decent label, Snake has outperformed many artists in the last few years and is crushing the industry with his hits. DJ Snake is a must see… he’ll bring the heat.
And don’t forget Porter Robinson, Nero, Alesso - go see them too!
AUTHOR CREDIT: MARIAH HARKEY