If you’ve been, you know: Florida knows how to party.
We wear bathing suits as everyday attire. There’s an actual town here called Celebration. Ever had a rum runner (aka tropical nectar of the gods)? We invented that.
So it’s no surprise this Memorial Day weekend Floridians and visitors (whom we affectionately call Snow Birds) will flock to Raymond James stadium in Tampa for Sunset Music Festival – the only EDM event of its kind in Southwest Florida.
Sunset wowed fans earlier this year by expanding to two days and releasing a jaw-dropping lineup that truly has something for everyone, from Aly & Fila to Zomboy.
WhiteRaverRafting.com’s Florida crew can’t wait to get down in the sunshine, particularly with these seven non-headlining acts:
Alex Metric
I don’t make many guarantees, but I promise you this: if you go see Alex Metric, he will blow you away. His sets carry an unbelievable amount of energy, with deep basslines and clever melodic elements. His sets could have anything from deep-house-sounding grooves to straight up disco. Crowds who have never heard of him or his music often dance like they’re seeing a longtime favorite act (seriously, I’ve heard girls squeal with excitement during one of his mixes and then look to her friend and ask “who is this?” That girl may or may not have been me two years ago.)
Check out his newly released Hope EP (WARNING: may cause uncontrollable fits of dancing and swaying):
Brodinski
This guy is hood as hell for a Frenchman. Often working with and remixing some of the most talented up-and-coming rappers in the game (such as Theopolis London, Danny Brown, Evil Nine and Kaytranada), Brodinski has made a name for himself in both the hip-hop and EDM worlds.
This recent track for his BBC Radio One residency is a perfect introduction to the biggest bro in France. It showcases his hard-hitting, bass-thumping rap production skills alongside more synthy, bouncy riffs:
KOAN Sound
If you go to a KOAN sound show, you better be prepared to dance your funking face off. These two Brits deliver deep, glitchy grooves layered with simple (but powerful) synth melodies. They also have some of the best drum beats in the business, with complex patterns and syncopation far beyond the tired 4/4 bass-snare pattern that has dominated the scene.
Do yourself a favor (ESPECIALLY if you’re a drummer) and take a listen to KOAN Sound’s new Dynasty EP:
Dirtyphonics
Oh man. Oh MAN. These guys are nuts. You never know which genre they’re going to blow to shreds with their signature heavy sound. D&B? Electro-house? Dubstep? Trap? FUNK?! These four Frenchmen do it all, adding their own rock-influenced grit.
Take a listen to the craziness they dropped at Shambalah last year:
Arnej
Sharp snare beats, deep basslines and awe-inspiring melodies set this Canadian’s trance tunes apart. He’ll channel Middle Eastern influences one minute, then switch to a harmonious heaven of female vocals the next.
Check out one of his recent tracks “Adagio”:
Tchami
This Parisian has soul. He often blends vintage vocals with deep, funky basslines, combining the new and old schools into a futuristic sound all its own. It’s not quiet electro-soul, but a newer genre called future house (think if electro-soul and deep house had a glorious love child). Tchami could be a Father of future house – after all, he does wear priest’s attire when he performs.
Check out this mix Tchami released via All Gone Pete Tong:
Luminox
It’s hard to stand out as a trap artist when the genre has leaked into almost every set at every major festival over the past year and a half. But this Arizonian knows how to sample the hell out of hip-hop with some crazy, glitchy beats to create an explosion of trap glory. It’s not the in-your-face, aggressive trap that attracts fist-pumpers. It’s clever, with more creative drum patterns and unexpected changes in rhythm and melodies.
Fair warning: it’s nearly impossible to see him and not dance like an idiot losing your mind.
Listen to the insanity he dropped last year at EDC Orlando:
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