Dancing Astronaut’s Guide to Chicago’s Spring AwakeningSpring Awakening 2013

Dancing Astronaut’s Guide to Chicago’s Spring Awakening

Spring Awakening is set to return to Chicago’s Soldier Field this June, building on last year’s success and covering not two but three days, all while holding its own amongst the city’s packed summer festival schedule. With big names like Calvin Harris, Paul Oakenfold, and Boys Noize and 100-some other top acts besides, we’ve compiled the artists we simply can’t miss to help you solve the quandary of so many artists, so little time.

Allegra’s Selections

Nero – Last seen in Chicago at last year’s Lollapalooza, UK duo Nero are poised to smash the house with their own orchestral brand of dubstep. With sets that weave between Gesaffelstein and Skrillex, System Of A Down and DJ Fresh, it’s never quite clear what Nero will unleash; what is clear is the blend will tickle your auditory fancy while causing you to thrash and grin. Though vocalist Alana will not be making an appearance, we’re hoping some new material will: the pair have yet to release anything in 2013 and what better time than festival season to change that.

Showtek – The pair responsible for the “throw your motherf*cking hands up” lyric that has ripped across the dance scene, Showtek has come on hard and strong this season and are rumored to be taking the Main Stage at Spring Awakening. The appearance will mark the duo’s Chicago debut, but with an electro house sound that’s heavy enough for the dub kids and synthy enough for the house fans it certainly won’t be their last. Though perhaps on the second up of “up and up,” Showtek is a definite must-see for Midwest EDM fans who’ve not yet had the chance.

Cara’s Selections

Green Velvet – Green Velvet is a living legend and a true chameleon. Like some of the other names on the roster, he’s been calling Chicago dance music home since the early days, and produces and DJs under the lighter, more house-centric Cajmere alias in addition to Green Velvet, his more somber and hard-hitting alias. He’s got a ton of genre-bending classics — “Flash,” “Preacher Man,” “Destination Unknown,” and more recently “Skeleton Key” with Pleasurekraft. Green Velvet is still very much in the collective conscious of DJs and fans alike, and his Spring  Awakening set is sure to show a lot more than a futuristic green mohawk.

Felix da Housecat – Felix da Housecat’s been a man on a mission. After four years of radio silence, 2013 has already served up both a new EP and a very hot Essential Mix for the Chicago house legend. Although his roots are firmly planted in straight up house music traditions, the Felix of Spring Awakening could really take you anywhere — electro, breaks, hip hop, techno, reggae, funk, and soul are all on the table for this set in his hometown. Pretty sure you’ll want to trust someone who’s been throwing parties longer than many of us have been alive.

Matt’s Selections

Savoy – When it comes to electro house and dubstep, don’t sleep on prolific Brooklyn trio Savoy. With plenty of fresh material coming from their latest and forthcoming EPs, these artists’ high-octane live set should be one of the less-heralded highlights of this year’s Spring Awakening lineup.
Flosstradamus – Many fans have been turned on to this Chicago duo as a result of their standout trap productions of late, but J2K and Autobot have been rocking the Windy City with hip-hop stylings since 2006. Expect a special homecoming set from the Fool’s Gold artists that’s sure to be heavy on beats, bass and breaks.

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