It’s a good weekend to be a New York dance fan. This Memorial Day, top dance acts will descend on the Empire State where two marquee dance music festivals are squaring off in serious fashion. CODE breaks down all the necessary details and differences between ID&T’s Mysteryland USA and Live Nation’s Insomniac’s Electric Daisy Carnival New York.
Mysteryland USA
Where: Bethel Woods, New York
When: May 23- 26, 2014: Friday: 6 pm – 2 am, Saturday: 1 pm – 2 am, Sunday: 1 pm – 2 am
Age: 21+
Lineup Highlights: Steve Aoki, Moby, NERVO, Pete Tong, Nicky Romero, Carl Craig & Dimitri b2b, Dillon Francis, Zomboy, Josh Wink, Kaskade, The Chainsmokers, Victor Calderone plus surprise guests TBA
Mysteryland USA’s Headed to Woodstock Memorial Day; Steve Aoki’s Ready
Details: While Mysteryland may be new to American soil, the Dutch festival series has a storied 21-year history as the longest running dance festival in the world. The inaugural American edition also has the dual distinction of taking place at the original 1964 Woodstock site, as well as being the first cashless multi-day music festival in North America. The festival will feature six stages, including three sponsored by SFX-owned Made Event’s Sunday School brand and one from hardstyle’s Q-Dance. While the festival doesn’t fully get going until Saturday, Nicky Romero will kick off a Friday pre-party for early arrivals.
Three Acts Not to Miss:
Main Stage headliners like Kaskade and Nicky Romero will obviously put on a smashing show, but here are three less-heralded acts that fans should make a priority of checking out over the weekend.
1. Jeremy Olander & Fehrplay (Sunday, 3 pm at the Big Top)
Eric Prydz’s protégés have mastered the intersection of progressive house and techno, enthralling fans on last year’s joint American tour. Despite its early time slot, this back-to-back set should be one to remember.
2. Kölsch (Saturday, 6 pm at the Big Top)
The Danish artist (also known as Rune RK) is one of those rare phenomenal producers who can also bring their A-game to a live performance. Expect a stunning live set of nuanced and melodic progressive house.
3. Thugfucker (Sunday, 3 pm at Spiegeltent)
The Life and Death duo excel at dark and moody deep house and techno. What better way to start your Sunday at Mysteryland?
Mysteryland vs Electric Daisy: Clashing Lineups for Memorial Day Weekend EDM Festivals
Electric Daisy Carnival New York
Where: Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
When: May 24 – 25, 2014: 12 pm – 11 pm
Age: 18+
Lineup Highlights: 2Manydjs, Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Araabmuzik, Bassnectar, Boys Noize, Calvin Harris, Carl Cox & Friends, Cash Cash, Cedric Gervais, Hardwell, Headhunterz, John Digweed, Krewella, Martin Garrix, Steve Angello, Tiësto
Details: Electric Daisy Carnival’s third New York incarnation returns to East Rutherford with a star-studded lineup of its own. The festival features four stages, including showcases sponsored by Los Angeles’ HARD and Carl Cox & Friends, as well as immersive art installations, fireworks and carnival rides that all attendees can enjoy for free. Insomniac’s trademark theatrical performers will also be out in force throughout the event. Unlike Mysteryland, EDC NY is not a camping festival, so attendees will need to find their own accommodations after the event ends at 11 pm.
Three Acts Not to Miss:
Kinetic Field and circuitGROUNDS headliners like Hardwell and Steve Angello are sure to excite attendees, so here are three other less obvious acts to catch at EDC NY.
1. Oliver (Saturday, 5:35 pm at cosmicMEADOW)
This diverse West Coast duo runs the stylistic gamut from energetic electro house to foreboding down tempo and have been signed to such taste making imprints as Skrillex’s OWSLA and A-Trak’s Fools Gold. Catch them right after recent collaborator Alex Metric at HARD’s cosmicMEADOW.
2. Tale of Us (Sunday, 9 pm at the Neon Garden)
The Italian Life and Death duo are coming off a superlative production year that vaulted them into the underground’s elite upper echelon. If you’re looking for a more contemplative ending on Sunday night, look no further.
3. Wax Motif (Saturday, 1:35 pm at cosmicMEADOW)
The Australian Los Angeles transplant is enjoying a breakout year of sorts under the wing of HARD’s Destructo, who mans the same stage at 6:50 pm. Think funky drops and dynamic genre-defiance.