Stacked lineups at festivals can be a gift and a curse. Sure, you have the opportunity to see a grip of today's brightest talents mixing the freshest tracks for you and scores of people who are into it just as much as you are. The problem? There's five stages, with DJs dropping hour-long sets (two if they're lucky, more if they're Carl Cox), and the conflicting schedules can cause issues. That's why it's best to have a game plan... and that's where DAD comes in.
While we feel that the majority of this lineup for the 2013 EDC New York is solid, there are definitiely some key acts you need to be making sure you catch, from the up-and-coming selectors to the tried and true legends. We've selected 21 acts that, damn it, you should at least catch 20 minutes of. We've also made sure to include which day, stage, and the times of their sets, so prior proper planners cna have their itinerary ready before hitting Citi Field, as well as an example of why this acts is as good as we say they are. The work is all done, now the choice is yours.
Alex Young
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 3PM - 4PM
Stage: Bass Pod
Look, we won't say prodigy or phenom or anything of the sort, but we will tell you that Alex Young is a must-see. He might still be in high school, but this kid is already on his way to a degree in ratchetness. His trap releases have caught the attention of DJs around the world and it's no mistake that the kid this young has been opening up for Rusko, playing big spots, and now playing EDCNY. Don't miss this set, because we'll have to tell you that we told you so.
Mark Knight
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 3:30PM - 4:30PM
Stage: Kinetic Field
Toolroom Knights captain Mark Knight is one of those DJs you hear and then won't soon forget. The UK producer/DJ has lead the charge in techno/house crossbreeds putting on some of the best club nights in the world and even headlined the U.S. edition of Sensation last fall, and in addition to his own head-bobbing originals, Mr. Knight has put his own flavor on big room hits, like his remix of Florence + The Machine's "You Got The Love," has helped him propel into becoming one of the most respected DJs in the world. Don't miss your chance when he comes to Queens.
Maceo Plex
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 4PM - 5:30PM
Stage: Neon Garden
Maceo Plex has one of the most vibrant sounds in all of house music today, combining elements of funk and soul into his own deep sound. Plex provides a refreshing alternative to the cheese that often dominates American festivals, but don't take that as an excuse to not move. In fact, chances are, you'll find yourself moving and grooving in ways you didn't even think we're possible.
12th Planet
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 5PM - 6PM
Stage: Bass Pod
12th Planet brings you the sounds of trap, dubstep, electro, drum & bass, and he never loses a step. The LA DJ has been running in his own lane for years now and each time we see him spin we're in awe at just how good he is. He champions sounds no one else does and he does it so confidently that it becomes a trend on its own. We're expecting chock full of bass and is one of those DJs we'll gladly see over and over again, and EDCNY is no different. You can't have any credibility as a bass head if you've never seen 12th Planet, so experience this and then show us your real bass face.
Seth Troxler
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 5:30PM - 7PM
Stage: Neon Garden
Any DJ who calls himself "a gift to Detroit techno from intergalactic house demigods from the future" is a must-see. Whether that's actually true or not is your decision, but while WE know he's joking, there's something special with Seth. As the 2012 Resident Advisor DJ of the Year, we clearly aren't the only ones who think so. Seth has become known for his mix of house and techno, bringing the two styles together in an amalgamation that can only be described in one way: Sexiness.
Ed Rush & Optical
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 7PM - 8PM
Stage: Bass Pod
This duo is celebrating 15 years of Virus Recordings, and have been dropping "history of Virus" sets over the past few months. While they aren't booked as doing one of these sets, they are booked together, so we can only imagine what kind of bass-heavy worlds they will be transporting the EDC to during their set.
Nicky Romero
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 7:35PM - 8:35PM
Stage: Circuit Grounds
Nicky Romero has been murdering stages all over this year with his main stage-ready brand of house, including setting a fire under this year's Ultra Music Festival. Nicky has been working on a lot of new material, and should be packing some unreleased tracks for the NY EDC.
Eric Prydz
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 8:30PM - 10PM
Stage: Kinetic Field
It's been said that Eric Prydz' former fear of flight was the reason he wasn't the fourth member of the Swedish House Mafia. Regardless, the Swedish DJ has made his own legend as he's become one of the most beloved DJs in all of house music. Whether he's releasing gems like "Power Drive" as Pryda, his mind-melting techno as Cirez D, or anything else as Eric Prydz, you know you'll be in house heaven. His February 2013 Essential Mix has already been called the mix of the year, and after huge sets in Miami and at Coachella you know you can't miss him now! No excuses!
Steve Angello
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 8:35PM - 10:05PM
Stage: Circuit Grounds
The ex-Swedish House Mafia producer Steve Angello might be an obvious one on this list, but we still have to say it. As the cheif of his own glorious Size Records, Angello has helped developed smoe of house music's brightest and best, so his set at EDC NY should prove an opportunity for him to revel in his success. As long as he doesn't go full cheese and we get a taste of the techier side of Angello, we'll be happy campers. Hopefully the Mescal Kid will make an appearance...if so, you absolutely can't miss this set!
Richie Hawtin
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 9PM - 11PM
Stage: Neon Garden
At this point, Richie Hawtin's name is synonmous with techno. The Detroit-inspired, Windsor native has lead the way with his seminal Plastikman project, his CNTRL tour/lecture, and of course his Richie Hawtin DJ sets. Hawtin has made it his point to avoid common EDM tropes and stick to his own style of decidedly not-pop electronic dance music. It's electronic music and you have to dance to it, but don't expect to hear easy to sing along anthems. Hawtin is often revered as a king and go to his sets and you'll experience why. Make sure to leave your hangups at home and ENTER with Richie.
Headhunterz
Date: May 17, 2013
Set Time: 10:05PM - 11PM
Stage: Circuit Grounds
Look hardstyle isn't something we cover on this site, and it's most certainly not something I've ever been a fan of, but I can at least recognize a talent like Headhunterz. The "hard with style" producer has lead the charge in the surge of hardstyle prominence, signing a deal with Ultra Music and bringing his pounding beats stateside. Willem Rebergen has carved his own lane and his set is sure to be a milestone for the hard dance community and hearing his music on a loud soundsystem at the carnival just might be the place to win us over. We might not stay at his set, but we'll HAVE to check it out.
Gina Turner
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 12PM - 1PM
Stage: Kinetic Field
Gina Turner has her finger on the pulse of the scene, taking joy in dropping a choice selection of upfront treats alongside some older cuts. She has honed her craft throughout the U.S. and overseas, as well as for a number of different radio programs. Gina's got the beat, and you will definitely be moving your feet. Just check out her mix from last year's EDC New York:
Dub Phizix
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 2PM - 3PM
Stage: Bass Pod
Dub Phizix is breathing life into the drum & bass scene, producing some of the most captivating tracks these days. Full of leftfield rhythms and dub-wise influences, he's also a master of the mix, weaving a sonic tapestry that will be sure to satisfy the chinstrokers and the skankers out there.
S.P.Y.
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 3PM - 4PM
Stage: Bass Pod
S.P.Y.'s a Londoner by way of Brazil that has been putting his stamp on the drum & bass scene for the better part of the last seven years, with the last few as a part of the Hospital family. He released What The Future Holds, his debut album, through Hospital last year, but has been part of the certified group of torchbearers that are leading the dnb scene into the next phase (which makes his debut's title all the more fitting). His DJ sets are a trek through his sound, from light to dark, and all keep you on the edge of your toes.
Feed Me
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 4PM - 5PM
Stage: Circuit Grounds
Feed Me, AKA Jon Gooch, AKA Spor is bringing his USBs and CDs to turn in an hour DJ set on Saturday. Although he won't have his famed Teeth setup, you can expect to an hour of gripping, energetic bass music. The mau5trap producer has been quiet on the release front lately, but we're still hyped to see his set. Don't be a fool and miss this.
Art Department
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 4PM - 6PM
Stage: Neon Garden
Canadian act Art Department has been one of those deep names you can't quite escape, and for good reason. The act has put out a stellar mix with "Social Experiment," and they had a string of Miami events (including slots at Ultra), so incase you haven't caught them yet, make sure to do so when they bring their vibes to Queens. The Canadian group might be one of the leading groups in all of real house music, so make sure you go to school when they come! No playing hookey!
Cy Kosis
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 5PM - 5:45PM
Stage: Wake Up Art Car
LA's Cy Kosis was one we told you to look for, and it looks like his entry into the EDC's "Discovery Project" worked out well, as he's been added to the Wake Up Art Car. Expect nothing but bass when he touches down.
Cookie Monsta & Funtcase
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 5PM - 6PM
Stage: Bass Pod
Looking for a heavyweight dose of dubstep? This duo from Circus Records brings the ruckus. Cookie Monsta dropped a sick EP about yo momma earlier this year, and Funtcase rocks a mask and creates some of the sickest tracks in the 140BPM realm. These two together? Destruction.
Thomas Gold
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Stage: Kinetic Field
Although he might come from one of the world's largest cheese produces4, you shouldn't write off Thomas Gold as just another piece of that. Though he is no stranger to the cheese, Gold has managed to deliver an authentic style of DJing that few have actually been able to do. The DJ will surely bring you a variety of Beatport top hits, but he'll do so in his own "fanfare" mixed and mashed ways that make him probably one of the few "progressive" house DJs truly worth seeing. He was loads of fun at the Roseland, was great on his Fanfare bus and routinely has one of the best radio shows, so we know his set is going to be perfect for EDCNY.
Carl Cox
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 8PM - 11PM (technically)
Stage: Neon Garden
We already told you that Carl had one of the best sets of Ultra, and honestly, we're not expecting any less this time in Queens. He'll surely be bringing some friends along, and we know not all of you could join us in Miami for Ultra, so now you have no excuse to miss Carl if you're going to EDCNY. Carl is scheduled for a two-hour solo set, then a back-to-back set with Loco Dice right after, so if you're ready for his booming techno to win you over, you better be rocking some comfortable shoes.
Crizzly
Date: May 18, 2013
Set Time: 10PM - 11PM
Stage: Bass Pod
Representing Texas and crunkstep, Crizzly has been slaying festivals across the country, leaving a trail of satisfied ravers behind. In looking at the emerging bass music/hip-hop hybrid sound, Crizzly has been at the forefront... and even hitting the Vans Warped Tour this year. We were psyched to see that Crizzly was going to be the DJ to close out this year's Bass Pod stage.