Five Acts to Watch at Starscape: Bassnectar, Skrillex, Infected Mushroom, Uncle Jesse, Mux Mool
Lots of cities have electronic music festivals.
Barcelona's had Sonar since 1994. Miami's Ultra, which started as a sideshow to the long-running, industry-heavy Winter Music Conference, is now, after a decade, its own free-standing event.
New York City only got its own, Electric Zoo, two years ago.
Maryland has had Starscape now for 13 years.
Celebrated annually at Fort Armistead Park, the festival will host at least 70 of the best up-and-coming and major headliners in electronic and dance this weekend.
The full schedule is here. Here are five you shouldn’t miss:
Bassnectar: One of the most recognizable names on the bill, Bassnectar has accumulated such clout in the genre since releasing his first album ten years ago, he's now launched his own namesake festival in Colorado. Last year, Dan Deacon was among the performers. 11 p.m. at the main stage.
Infected Mushroom: Among the scores of awesome DJ names — Shugadadde, Tek Subport — these five guys stand out. Started as a duo in Israel, they now feature live instrumentals and vocals in their shows. 1:30 a.m. at the main stage.
Mux Mool: A Brooklynite by way of Minnesota, Brian Lindgren has become well known for his own brand of electronic hip-hop. He’s now touring with his 2010 full-length debut, “Skulltaste," which RCRD LBL described as "the culmination of years of toil and experimentation, gathering Lindgren’s myriad talents and obsessions into one gloriously sprawling document." 4 p.m. on the main stage.
Skrillex: Sonny Moore started as the frontman of California emo band From First to Last, which lasted until last year. At 23, he segued into dubstep and its there he's found his found his niche audience, becoming one of the subgenre's biggest upstarts. At Ultra, he was rightfully given a prime, 5 p.m. spot on the live stage and at Coachella, he played before Odd Future. Midnight at dub nation beach.
Uncle Jesse: Heard regularly at No Rule and TaxLo, Uncle Jesse can be counted to release at least one new remix a month on their soundcloud page. The latest is the housey "Samson." 5:30 p.m. at the Dance Tent.
Photo: via
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
