Now that the official schedule for HARD has been released, it’s time to reveal our top 10 can’t miss artists at HARD Summer.
Plan your personal schedule around as many of these artists as possible and we believe you just can’t lose.
Azelia Banks
Chances are you’re more familiar with Banks’ Baauer beef than her music, but the girl is a qualified MC. If you’re looking for a little more variety in your HARD schedule, Banks is sure to impress. She blends the rhythmic talent of Lauryn Hill with the uptempo house production you’ve come to expect from many HARD artists.
Breakbot
Breakbot has long been a staple of HARD Summer, having mastered an unmistakably nostalgiac sound that is downright infectious as far as dance mixes go. Most recently Breakbot got robbed by Bruno Mars, but took the whole thing on the chin. Dude still enjoys throwing down the boogie, so if dancing at HARD Summer is your thing — Breakbot breaks it down better than anyone.
Crystal Castles
We’d probably be in trouble with some of you for failing to mention Crystal Castles, newcomers to the HARD Summer scene. Alice Glass and co bring a violent sound to the stage that’s impossible to overlook. Things should be extra weird with them playing so early in the day, but that suits their style quite nicely.
Dillon Francis
Dillon Francis is easily one of the most talented artists at HARD Summer. His influence has largely shaped the festival to what is has become in recent years. If you’ve experienced Dillon’s sets in years past, you hardly need to be told not to miss this.
Disclosure
Disclosure might end up owning the title for 2013 at this rate, dropping the most tightly produced dance album of the year thus far. We can’t wait to actually see the brothers drop these tracks live. The abundance of guest performers on the album also has us wondering if there will be any surprises.
Dog Blood
We never had the chance to see Dog Blood at Coachella this year, but there’s not a chance we’d miss seeing this super group of Boys Noize and Skrillex. It’s a little curious they’re playing so early and sadly their slot conflicts with Disclosure, but this is easily our most anticipated set of HARD Summer 2013.
Duck Sauce
What’s HARD Summer without a little bit of A-Trak? Oh, and Armand Van Helden isn’t exactly a throw in either. While one could certainly argue that Duck Sauce has played the hell out of every festival including HARD and isn’t exactly “can’t miss” status, it just wouldn’t feel like HARD without them.
Eats Everything
We’re willing to bet you’re not wholly familiar with Eats Everything yet, but he’s actually been around for awhile. His sound, as the name suggests, encompasses a lot of genres — blending many styles you are familiar with already. It’s any wonder this guy hasn’t blown up more but HARD Summer is the perfect chance to catch him before that happens.
Gesaffelstein
Gesaffelstein’s sound is unlike most everything we’ve heard, a sort of future doom sound revolving around dark heavy bass. We we have to imagine it would translate to insanity during any live setting.
RL Grime
RL Grime is arguably the deadliest trap producer at HARD Summer this year, a new school version of Flossatradamus. The Diplo and Friends mix he did earlier this year can perhaps state the strongest case for stopping by his set possible.