Two things: EDM summer music festival and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This is the 13th return of Global Dance Festival and it’s being held at one of the most beloved venues in the country. Everyone is of course excited about the headliners this year. Above & Beyond, DJ Snake, and Knife Party are undoubtedly very popular right now. All of these headliners are playing festivals this summer, have recently been touring, and keep putting out incredible music. Since we already know we’ll be at these sets, here are 5 other artists that should definitely be checked out at GDF this year!
5. TroyBoi
This Mad Decent artist is performing at both Global Dance and Northern Nights Festival this summer alongside artists like Griz. He has tour dates this summer in July and August all over the country and is even playing a festival in Canada with performers such as Tiesto, Ice Cube, Hardwell, and many many more. Needless to say Troyboi is making moves and is definitely an artist to look for in the next few years. He’s in the hip hop / trap realm of the EDM scene and is said to have a fantastic stage presence.
4. Bear Grillz
If you’ve just recently heard his name, it’s probably due to Jerry Springer. I know that sounds like the punchline to an awful joke, but it’s true. Bear Grillz has always performed in a bear suit and recently revealed his identity on an episode of the Jerry Springer show (you can watch the video here). This has brought him into the news a lot and gives him quite the interesting story, but this isn’t the only reason why you should check him out at Global Dance. You should, however, check him out because he’s released music through Datsik’s record label Firepower Records which has released music by artists including Excision, Zomboy, and Protohype. Clearly Datsik sees something in this artist.
3. Brillz
Brillz is a unique artist because today as a DJ he inspires others dance, but he began as a dance crew member himself. Today he has worked with multiple big names including Diplo. Other big names such as Skrillex, Zeds Dead, Bassnectar, and Flosstradamus have all supported his work during their sets. One of his most recent remixes was of a Jay-Z song that Jay-Z’s blog even featured. If Jay-Z social media shares something I think it goes without saying it has to be good. When you look at the up-and-comers in the EMD scene right now, this guy is high on the list.
2. Hermitude
Hermitude is a couple of guys from Australia creating some of the best electronic hip hop EMD I’ve heard in a while. I caught them while at Bonnaroo and was more than impressed with their live performance. Last year they played some of the biggest festivals in the U.S. including Governor’s Ball, Buku Festival, and SXSW. Since the release of their album Dark Night Sweet Lights they’ve consistently been on the rise and gaining popularity. Seeing them once wasn’t enough and I can guarantee I’ll be at their performance at this year’s Global Dance.
1. Ephwurd
Ephwurd is made up of Datsik and Bais Haus which is a really special tag team. Datsik, the creator of Firepower Records and long-time dubstep innovator is teamed up with his tour manager Bais Haus who had been working on his own music as well and the rest as they say, is history. Since the debut of their first collaboration, “Rock the Party” with popular artist Jauz, Ephwurd has been skyrocketing with the momentum. When most people hear of Ephwurd the two members seem to be unknown, so I feel as though I’m kind of giving away a secret, but hey Datsik and Bais Haus will be at Global Dance. Together. This is something very special considering as of now they only have six more tour dates announced (fingers crossed for many more).
I will be live reporting at Global Dance Festival this upcoming weekend July 8, 9, and 10 and look forward to not only all of the artists playing this one of a kind festival, but getting to experience it at Red Rocks. The entire lineup beats many of the lineups at other festivals this summer and offers many different genres of EDM. I look forward to meeting you guys out there!
