Chicagoist's Picks For North Coast Festival
By Jake Guidry in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 2, 2010 6:30PM
We are a mere day away from the inaugural North Coast Festival and we know many of you are chomping at the bit. Unlike Lollapalooza or Pitchfork, North Coast's schedule is extremely navigable and void of major conflicts, so chances are you'll be able to see most of what you set out to see. Nevertheless, we've got some picks for acts to check out over the course of the 3-day event. Just to make it a little more difficult for you.
NOTE: We tried to leave as many no-brainers off the list as possible.
Pretty Lights
Groupon Stage
Friday, 7:30-8:30
Pretty Lights blend electro, glitch, hip-hop, and rock into what ends up being electronic music with a jam-band aesthetic. At times reminiscent of Glitch Mob.
The Chemical Brothers
North Stage
Friday, 8:30-10:00
Yes, this is a default pick. We're just here to erase any of those "maybe I'll leave early to beat the crowds" thoughts.
Two Fresh
Coast Stage
Saturday, 2:15-3:15
Instrumental hip-hop heavily inspired by jam and downtempo electronic music. One of those fitting afternoon, sit on a blanket festival sessions.
Laidback Luke
Coast Stage
Saturday, 3:30-4:30
Laidback Luke hails all the way from the Netherlands and yet his music emphasizes a sound that was cultivated right here in Chicago: deep house. This is the set that will kick off your dance party for the rest of the weekend.
Jay Electronica
North Stage
Saturday, 6:30-7:30
Classic sample-based hip-hop that pays homage to the sounds of old. Add some top-notch emcee skills from Jay and you have a must-see set. Reminiscent of Illmatic and even the late J Dilla.
De La Soul
Groupon Stage
Saturday, 7:30-8:30
Pioneers in socially-conscious hip-hop, De La Soul are legends in music. While it's been years since their best music was released, you owe it to yourself to catch a glimpse of what hip-hop in the '90s was all about.
Boys Noize
Coast Stage
Saturday, 8:00-9:00
Say what we will about the state of electro and its stagnation, but Boys Noize defies any notions we have about the genre. Fresh and forward thinking, Boys Noize mends acid, house, techno and electro into a finished product unmatched in the scene. His set will undoubtedly be a highlight of North Coast Festival.
Holy Ghost!
North Stage
Sunday, 4:30-5:30
HG! honed their skills touring with LCD Soundsystem, and now they're back in Chicago to show it off. Cultivating an indie-rock-meets-dance-music vibe, Holy Ghost are one of the better packaged deals on the bill.
Flying Lotus
North Stage
Sunday, 6:30-7:30
Hip-hop meets dubstep meets psychedelic meets downtempo meets grime meets IDM meets so-much-other-stuff. Intrigued? Watch FL mash away on his MPC.
This year's North Coast Festival is a great start in what hopes to be a long standing annual event. Let's make Year One a memorable one.