Identity Festival in Philadelphia, Pa [Event Preview]

Identity Festival is the first traveling dance music festival series in the United States. 2011 was the inaugural Summer, and now it’s back for another two months of traveling spectacle. Why has Identity succeeded and become a yearly tour? Well let me put it in retrospect – Steve Aoki, Nervo, Avicii, Disco Biscuits, Chuckie, and Kaskade.

Curation of premiere talent at the best price you’ll find anywhere is the name of the game at Identity. This year is no exception. Identity Festival Philly is brought to you by Live Nation and will take place at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing. Tickets are up to $60 for this event so make sure to buy now.

The talent pool is deep and you really can’t go wrong however, here are my top 5 picks for ID Philly on 7/29.

1. Eric Prydz

You may or may not have heard of Eric Prydz. Most likely the latter. This is the show you absolutely cannot miss. Not only because of his beautiful and serene production in sound, but because this guy is scared of planes and nearly never crosses seas.

2. Madeon

Madeon is the truth and in my opinion, the future of electronic dance music. Not only is he wise beyond his years, but his take on sound is fascinating. His musical inclination is unbelievable for a 18 year old and the way he blends music is close to perfection. I once ran a mile in scorching Miami heat, cut the line, and slipped through security just to catch his set for the first time at Ultra. Check his BBC Hackney Weekend set out.

3. Arty

During a conversation I was having with Robbie Rivera, he told me that Arty was his favorite up and coming producer. He attributed his opinion to the unique approach to production and the fact that he “doesn’t sound like everyone else”. Ever since then I’ve been paying close attention to Arty, and Rivera was right. Arty really focuses on transitions and mixing up his sound. One second it will be deep gritty house before instantly changing to his trancier alter ego Alpha 9.

4. Le Castle Vania

Supporting Kaskade on The Freaks Of Nature Tour should say enough.  The Atlanta native has been playing drum & bass warehouse raves since he was 15. He blends some punk/indie rock, disco electronic, and womped out basslines for an extremely pleasurable experience. He is also an Identity veteran, meaning he was on last years’ bill.

5. Excision

100,000 Watts of bass anyone? Excision, who is signed to Deadmau5′ label Mau5trap, brings filthy heavy, city crunching bass. You are sure to feel the vibrations from one the pinnacles of bass music.

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