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Our North Coast Music Festival 2012 Guide

By Jake Guidry in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 30, 2012 6:20PM

NorthCoast.jpeg This holiday weekend, the third annual North Coast Music Festival will take place in Union Park, displaying a blend of electronica, hip-hop, rock, and dance music. But unlike the previous two years, the festival is even bigger, having added an extra stage and greatly expanding the "Silent Disco," a speakerless area where fans can put on headphones and listen to the DJ that's playing in front of them. And with this expansion comes the biggest lineup in the festival's three years, ranging everywhere from Dan Deacon to Girl Talk to The Rapture to Big Boi. For those attending, North Coast offers a little bit for everybody, and we're here to help make some of those tough decisions. See below for our picks for each day of the fest.

Friday

AbdeCaf - Dos Equis Stage, 3:45 p.m.
There isn't much out there on AbdeCaf, the 20-year-old producer from Miami, likely because he's only been making music for a few months. Regardless, AbdeCaf's brand of hazy, dreamy electronic music is chillwave with more of a pulse.

Yelawolf - North Stage, 5:30 p.m.
Alabama's Yelawolf has been rapping for a while, but it's only recently that he's been among the industry's most popular names. One might wonder exactly why this is the case, as Yelawolf's nasally delivery cuts through Deep South beats with a certain viciousness that makes him one of the most enjoyable rappers in the world.

Paul Oakenfold - Red Bull Stage, 8 p.m.
North Coast always manages to book pioneering DJs that have been around for ages, and this year one of those DJs is Paul Oakenfold. Having debuted in the late-'80s, Oakenfold is one of the most recognizable names in DJing and continues to spin big, euphoric progressive house to large crowds. Though his sound has more to do with the mainstream than ever before, it's still worth checking out the electric atmosphere he will surely create.

Saturday

Dan Deacon - Coast Stage, 2:45 p.m.
A Dan Deacon show is one of the best performances you'll see, and it's not necessarily because of the performance itself. Deacon has a knack for getting the crowd involved in his noisy electronica by inspiring dance circles and other such childlike activities. His latest album, America, is as textured and varied as anything he's done, which should make for an especially energetic set.

YACHT - Red Bull Stage, 4:45 p.m.
YACHT are a part of the famed DFA label, whose entire roster is known for a prolific amount of energetic punk that you'd just as quickly dance to as you would pump a fist. YACHT are no exception, and their live sets are known to get very funky and sweaty.

The Rapture - Coast Stage, 6:45 p.m.
Like YACHT, The Rapture are also on DFA, and their music is even more energetic. As one of the first bands to successfully merge electronic dance music and punk, The Rapture remain one of the most fun bands to catch live. If "House of Jealous Lovers" makes an appearance (and we're sure it will), expect a pretty raucous crowd.

Sunday

Com Truise - Coast Stage, 2:30 p.m.
Com Truise's '80s-inspired electronica draws a lot from Boards of Canada, albeit with a more directed approach. The warm synths and downtempo beats will surely ease you into your Sunday.

Thundercat - Dos Equis Stage, 4:45 p.m.
Thundercat is on Flying Lotus' young Brainfeeder label, and he's effectively carved himself a niche in the electro-jazz genre. In fact, he may be the only doing it quite the way that he is. Thundercat's music is very laid back and understated, but it's quite phenomenal nonetheless. Throw down a blanket and enjoy the weather for this set.

Maya Jane Coles - Dos Equis Stage, 7:30 p.m.
Maya Jane Coles has quickly become one of the world's best deep house DJs, and was named the ninth best DJ in the world by Resident Advisor's readers in 2011. Coles is the type of DJ that truly understands crowds and can craft narratives for those crowds to experience. There are plenty of talented DJs on North Coast's bill, but make no mistake that Maya Jane Coles is the one not to miss.