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[title]Where Lollapalooza and newly minted Soldier Field rave Spring Awakening opted for the neon glow of the electronic music scene’s more populist performers, Wavefront, a new festival debuting this weekend, has split the difference between underground appeal and dance classics.
That’s not to say there aren’t acts that will pull in revelers with their hipster cred. Saturday sees headlining sets from New York DJ elder statesman Erick Morillo, a name long associated with big-room house, and Germany’s Boys Noize, a newcomer in comparison, who’s amassed a loyal following with his indie dance, electro and techno workouts.
Other Saturday highlights include Ann Arbor’s indie-techno whiz Matthew Dear, electro rebels MSTRKRFT, tech-house heavy hitter Nic Fanciulli and two purveyors of increasingly popular and increasingly druggy house, Art Department and Visionquest.
Sunday’s main attraction is easily headliner Duck Sauce, the insanely popular duo of A-Trak and Armand Van Helden. The two are up against true rave veteran Sasha. Another such vet, Steve Lawler, goes head-to-head with Euro hit maker Eric Prydz for the sunset set.
The rest of Sunday is fleshed out with DFA stars James Murphy and Pat Mahoney of LCD Soundsystem, Israeli talent Guy Gerber, Hot Creations playboy Lee Foss and, representing for dance music’s heavier side, Chris Lake and John Dahlbäck.
As any festival’s maiden voyage, it’s yet to be seen how the weekend plays out, but with a lineup like this one, Wavefront is likely here to stay.
Wavefront Music Festival invades Montrose Beach Friday 29–Sunday 1.