Bouncing from stage to stage to catch a glimpse of each set is appealing to some festival goers. Then there are those like myself, shamefully addicted to one genre in particular. Insomniac is delivering plenty of diverse performances to the Bay Area this September, but these 5 artists are who I’m looking forward to the most.
So without further ado, I present my top 5 must-see artists of Beyond Wonderland Bay Area 2015.
5. Dyloot
One of the wonderful facets of music festivals is the opportunity to discover new artists during their moment in the spotlight. I had no idea who this mystery DJ was until after a bit of research. Dyloot, who is part of a trio of musicians named Deep Voices, is a well-known progressive trance DJ in the Bay Area. His style is tranquil and serene, but still packs deep bass lines similar to that of chillstep. Don’t forget to take a break from the main stage to show love and support to the talented locals.
Similar artists: Seven Lions, Above & Beyond, Kaskade
4. Jordan Suckley
Jordan is known for his energetic stage presence and extensive and versatile live sets, blending epic trance with upbeat techno. He’s known as the jack of all trades of sub-genres, composing and remixing notable tracks on albums that have reached No. 1 on the US iTunes EDM charts. He runs his own successful radio show and record label called Damaged. Fans have dubbed him ‘Sick Fuck Suckley’. That nickname alone is a proper sneak peek into the epic journey he’ll take you on.
Similar artists: Ben Nicky, Mark Sherry
3. Simon Patterson
I’ve yearned to see Simon Patterson live since I heard his hit single Miss You many years ago. Simon is known for a mix of psychedelic and tech styles, and each of his tracks are shaped into a masterpiece that sometimes take up to half a year to perfect. A single song is a diverse set of transitions that flawlessly shift melody and beat when you least expect it. If you catch him on stage, he’ll likely deviate between dark-tech trance and uplifting trance. I have not witnessed Patterson live yet, but you’ll catch me front and center if I ever get the opportunity. He’s headlined at festivals and clubs all over the world, such as Creamfields, Tomorrowland, Electric Daisy Carnival and more. Check out his radio show called Open Up to catch a glimpse.
Similar artists: Bryan Kearney, Will Atkinson
2. Sean Tyas
I was fortunate enough to see Sean Tyas live about a week ago, but I’m sad to say that the club was incredibly desolate. He’s acclaimed and revered in the Trance community, but overshadowed and underrated in the saturated EDM world. He burst into the scene in 2006 with his hit single Lift, and now he’s recently headlined at massive international festivals such as Tomorrowland and Luminosity Beach. If you need a break from the prevalent Drum N’ Bass sounds, come visit Sean. His melodic and uplifting beats will leave you with goosebumps and teary eyes. “With trance, sounds are constantly being recycled,” Tyas admits. “But if you integrate that dubstep texture into trance, it really adds something.” –Last.FM
Similar artists: Daniel Kandi, Aly & Fila
1. Markus Schulz
I’ll be honest and admit I’ve never been a huge fan of Markus. I’ve sporadically listened to his music throughout the last 10 years, and I’ll tune into his radio show Global DJ Broadcast. However, he recently delivered an astonishing and memorable performance at an intimate club in my hometown. No need for frivolous lighting or other trivial effects – Markus’ stage presence was powerful. He took time to engage the crowd with smiles and laughter while mixing an exceptional tune selection. The club was equally as exuberant, with Schulz Army flags swaying proudly and fans reaching for the booth to make brief contact with the Unicorn Slayer himself. If you haven’t seen Markus in action yet, then your time has come.
Similar artists: Tritonal, Orjan Nilsen, Ferry Corsten
