So you’re heading to Kendrick Lamar on Saturday? Awesome, salve you’re gonna have a blast! Wait, price you’re going to Bassnectar and Tipper on Sunday? Me too! You’re seriously pumped for Excision on Friday? Eh, kinda judging but do your thing.
Let’s face it, if you’re going to The Hudson Project, you already have your nighttime sets meticulously planned out. You probably have some holes in your schedule during the day though, and who wants to waste festival time? As such, here are a few artists with daytime sets who might have flown under your radar but are absolutely worth your time. So get out of your tent, shake off the hangover and head over to these hidden gems!
Yacht (Friday 2pm @Emperor Stage)
Let’s get this festival off to a weird start. This Portland electropop quartet specializes in madcap synth sounds, simple-but-confuddling lyrics and overarching psychedelic wonderment. You’ll smile, you’ll dance, you’ll see one guy close to the stage who’s tripping a little too hard. What’s not to love?
Moon Hooch (Friday 2:45pm @Catskill Cave)
Moon Hooch might be one of the most unique acts at the festival. Made up of just two saxophonists and a drummer, the much-hyped trio’s unrelenting, electronic-influenced structure meshes fantastically with their throwback sounds. Loud and fast but meticulously arranged, Moon Hooch’s music defies genre and offers a little something for everybody.
Exmag (Sat 3:45 @Circus Tent)
Exmag brings the funk in a big way. Mixing 70s-influenced guitar work with excellent synth work and silky smooth vocals, the quintet create a retro-future aesthetic thats easy to get into. While member Gramatik will be missing the set due to a string of European solo dates, the remaining crew are a lock for some midday livetronica goodness.
The Floozies (Sunday 1:30 @Circus Tent)
Skewing the line between basic EDM set and live performance, electro-funk duo The Floozies offset some seriously dirty bass sounds with some seriously sexy guitar and drums. It’s rage music no doubt, but much like Big Gigantic the added instrumental work makes for a live show that goes above and beyond. Also, they do a dirty remix of Toto’s “Africa.” Do you really want to miss that?
Perseus (Sunday 4:30 @Catskill Cave)
Sometimes you just need to dance it out, and this is the guy for the job. Founder of the legendary French Express label (which will be curating the Catskill Cave on Sunday) Perseus is known for throwing one of the best deep house sets on the circuit. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for an extended groove this is not one to miss!