MGMT
El Paso will get another dose of MGMT having been Beck’s opening act back at the Abraham Chavez back in 2008. The New York experimental rockers third album titled MGMT is a interweaving mix of their upbeat melodic rock and their dreamy slowed down darker grooves. With a whole streak of festivals following Neon Desert -INmusic in Croatia, Glastonbury in the UK and Le Rock, Dans Tous Ses Etats in France, their stop in El Paso Makes for a great fit in a set of crazy gigs comin up for MGMT.
Wiz Khalifa
One of the hottest names in hip-hop and tops on the list of artists at the festival, Wiz Khalifa is going to bring that party vibe with that bumpin’ modern hip hop flavor. Wiz has a whole bunch of songs he could kill it with to get the crowd going crazy—expect the jumpin’ “WeDem Boyz” to have the crowd hopping in unison or grooving to mellow songs like the slow burning “The Bluff” to bring the tempo down for just a minute. You’ll see a huge crowd for this one. There may be a whole lot of twerking going on over here.
Zedd
One of the biggest names on the list this year is that of the world famous musician eletro-house DJ from Germany, Zedd. This multi-talented artist stops by in El Paso, busy all month playing in the US making stops also at Bonnaroo and the Paradiso Festival. Zedd is certainly helping to bring his electronic pop music closer to the mainstream by making appearances on The Late Show and on Jimmy Kimmel—adhering to his demand and popularity. Expect to hear hits like “Stay the Night” and “Clarity” to fill the festival night into club mode.
Bloody Beetroots
Italians do it better, or so they say, and so it goes for these electro-house punks who put a heavy spin on electronic music; aggressive synths, live drums, spazzed out effects and a crazy light show. These dudes even worked with Sir Paul McCartney himself on the track “Out of Sight” last year and have also collaborated with mega superstar DJ Aoki on the charged up dance-rock song “Warp.” Their live set will be one of the most intense performances of the night; a non-stop high energy experience to say the least.
Panteon Rococo
The best bands at any festival have to be able to make thousands of people be in a universal state of enjoyment; Panteon Rococo will have no problem already being veterans of the festival circuit. These reggae/ska punks from Mexico will bring that Latin spice the festival always provides, and for a good reason; the party gets intense and sweaty at the non-stop fun and dancing these dudes will bring with their bouncy mix of punk, salsa and reggae songs accentuated wonderfully by the horn section. Mosh pits? Crowd surfing? Maybe.
Hello Seahorse!
Take a breather from all the crazy sets and go and treat your brain to the pleasant sounds of the band Hello Seahorse! These indie-popsters from Mexico City are also no strangers to festivals, having already played big ones to huge crowds plenty of times, such as the Vive Latino and one of the more famous American ones, Coachella. Catch their crafty beautiful arrangements of synths and guitars lathered in the amazing singing by Denise Gutierrez—cries of a mix between Linda Perhacs and Grace Slick.
Asap Ferg
More hip-hop please! This Harlem, NY rapper exploded into the hip-hop world coming to light after his successful album Trap Lord debuted at number 9 on the billboard 200 chart. Ferg fits in nicely in the line-up allowing the people to experience what’s going on in hip-hop today; mixing different styles matched with unmistakably head bopping beats, listen to Ferg switch from smooth crooning to hard hitting rap; this diverse artist is no one trick pony. Expect to hear big banger “Shabba” and the hood favorite “Hood Pope”—anyone gonna make it rain?
Classixx
Classixx and El Paso have a long time love affair ever since the dudes at Late Night Social Club introduced the two their fist time around. Now the DJ duo has returned to El Paso once again being one of the few artists to ever get invited twice. Ever since then, this dynamic duo has graced us with their presence and has always delivered. Expect to hear a great set by these two dance floor masters blending seamlessly the sounds of electro, house, disco, new-wave and funk all in one fireball of dance-y beats and sexy sweaty festival music.
Immortal Technique
Hip-hop is making a huge presence at this year’s festival and what a great thing that it is because hip-hop today is exciting and fun to experience, especially at the festival level. Releasing his first album in 2001 titled Revolutionary Vol. 1, Immortal Technique born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, NY has always been a well respected rapper for his lyrical prowess and skillful rhyme approach dealing mostly with political issues and bringing to light controversial themes. This artist will showcase a different side of the hip-hop realm.
The D.A.
These local veterans of dance-rock have always been favorites among the music scene in El Paso. They’re back at this year’s festival ready to show everyone why they get to play the festival again; their unique blend of rock and electronic music has made The D.A. one of the more popular bands to emerge out of the local scene. With lead singer and contributing Fusion writer Tyler Dudley back in town (currently lives in Seattle, WA), The DA return with experience and growth many shows later to showcase where they stand as a band today.
Bulletproof Tiger
These masked marauders have been away in San Diego for too long; they come back home to El Paso with open arms and anticipation as we await to see how these times away have matured the sound of the Tiger, as well as seeing just how these dudes are doing. These local homies have lots of friends and fans looking to hear some of those familiar party dance-rock jams of the past as well as any new material that may have developed in their journey away from home. El Paso awaits our friends Bulletproof Tiger.
