10 Must-See Acts at Life Is Beautiful 2016
Talk about a festival with a vision. Life Is Beautiful puts its goal in its name, readying for three days of music, art, food, and learning experiences that will have you sighing with the overwhelming joy of it all. The festival kicks off this weekend, and Insomniac is bringing the heat with the best of the best in electronic music at the Troubadour Stage, where you’ll experience great dance and bass-heavy beats, as well as enhanced production all weekend long.
This year’s lineup represents the current and forward-thinking sounds of hip-hop, rock, pop, jazz, funk, and everything in between. You already know to look out for big hitters like Bassnectar and Major Lazer, but what about some of the other can’t-miss artists?
We’ve put together a nifty list of the 10 must-see acts at Life Is Beautiful 2016 for your musical guidance. Our list encompasses many genres and styles, just as Life Is Beautiful does across its stages, so start digging now.
Die Antwoord
Saturday, September 24, 9–9:50 pm, Ambassador Stage
This South African rap-rave trio produces some of the wildest music you’ve ever heard, and still, that’s nothing compared to the uncensored, high-octane circus of the senses that is a Die Antwoord live performance. Members Ninja, Yolandi, and DJ God run around cursing and dancing, jumping into the crowd, and sweating their balls off in animal suits, hot pants, and boxer shorts alongside a crew of sick background dancers and more than enough Zef graffiti to make your eyes explode. The group just released its fourth album, Mount Ninji and Da Nice Time Kid, 16 tracks of mind-melding beats ranging from hyper-techno bliss to grimy trap bass, with lots of production assistance from Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs. Get on board.
Follow Die Antwoord on Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
AlunaGeorge
Sunday, September 25, 10:30–11:30 pm, Troubadour Stage
You are a fan of AlunaGeorge, whether you realize it or not. You know that Disclosure song, “White Noise”? They helped create that stellar groove. You know that DJ Snake banger, “You Know You Like It”? That’s actually a remix of an AlunaGeorge original. Aluna is the superstar frontwoman with the unique, high pitch. George is the music man, busting out the vibes with killer flair. The UK import brings a nostalgic garage feel to pop-perfect tunes accessible enough for the most mainstream listener, while maintaining a level of sophistication the snobbiest of snobs can’t help but adore. See AlunaGeorge once, and fall in love forever.
Follow AlunaGeorge on Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
J. Cole
Saturday, September 24, 11:25 pm–12:55 am, Downtown Stage
Jermaine Lamarr Cole is a bona fide superstar, and somehow it still feels like he’s underrated. He’s been nominated for five Grammys, but he’s never won. His album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, was a landmark achievement in modern hip-hop, but it’s often overshadowed in the media among like-minded peers Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Not that anyone is ready to cry foul. J. Cole is certainly getting his, and anyone who takes the time to catch his headlining performance at Life Is Beautiful is likely to be brought to their feet, to their senses, and quite literally to tears. He raps poetry for the common man and pulls no punches, and he’s as quick to call himself out as anyone else. He’s also his own producer, so beat that.
Follow J. Cole on Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
Mija
Sunday, September 25, 7:10–8:10 pm, Troubadour Stage
Genres are boring, and this blue-haired beat boss refuses to be defined by any one sound or style. Instead, the OWSLA-signed artist focuses on the future of dance in all its forms. Do you want some face-crunching bass? Mija’s got you. Want some romantic future house? She’s got some of that, too. Should you desire the super kawaii or the old-school warehouse vibes of house gone by, she’s packing something to perk your ears. No wonder Skrillex gives her the heavy cosign.
Follow Mija on Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
Mr. Carmack
Sunday, September 25, 8:10–9:10 pm, Troubadour Stage
This Hawaiian homeboy is a real producer’s producer. He’s got beats so ill, doctors have yet to discover a vaccine—not that you’d fight the infection. He’s a true musician, in the sense that he can play everything from the French horn to the ukulele to even the melodica (whatever that is). Of course, it’s his fusion of the organic with the electronic that makes the people go crazy, and he’s most famous for his trap-infused rhythms. A set from Mr. Carmack delivers something old, something new, and something so futuristic, it has yet to be classified by science. He can switch up the style so fast, it should be illegal, but it works, because he’s Carmack, and that’s the breaks.
Follow Mr. Carmack on Facebook | Twitter
Durante
Friday, September 23, 4:40–5:40 pm, Troubadour Stage
A hot, rising star with an old soul, Durante melds memories of his European childhood with his American coming-of-age to churn out a luscious style of house music that lies somewhere in between. There’s a classic feeling to his persistent, slow-building rhythms and idealistic tones as characterized his latest two-song EP, Goddess. He’s been known to funk it up with dark synths and ‘90s-era noise. Another budding star of the OWSLA clan, his groove-heavy live mix will be the perfect addition to your festival experience, a shot of fresh electricity for your weary dancing feet.
Follow Durante on Facebook | Twitter
Kaytranada
Friday, September 23, 7:55–9:10 pm, Troubadour Stage
Living boldly at the line between experimental electronic and hip-hop, this Haitian-born, Montreal-raised producer is all about the beat. Kaytranada’s work carries a musicality that’s both thoughtful and funky, echoing the worlds of jazz and soul with a definitively contemporary edge. Rappers who dare to be different are his favorite collaborators, as he weaves between sentimental tones and street-hard attitude. The 24-year-old has been DJing since he was 14, so it’s safe to say he’s learned a few dope tricks. His latest album, 99.9%, saw him reach lofty heights of creation, musical and otherwise. He’s also been linked with Rick Rubin. Legend alert.
Follow Kaytranada on Facebook | Twitter
Kamasi Washington
Friday, September 23, 5:35–6:20 pm, Ambassador Stage
Jazz is the backbone of almost everything you listen to. Most of the artists you love actually love Kamasi Washington, a celebrated jazz saxophonist, composer, producer, and bandleader. You may recognize his bright, windy blare from Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly or Flying Lotus’ You’re Dead! Washington has also worked alongside Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Chaka Khan and more. He’s a living legend with a flair for the funk that can’t be duplicated and should be experienced by any true music lover whenever the opportunity arises. When was the last time you danced to a mind-blowing beat and got an education at the same time?
Follow Kamasi Washington on Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
Keys N Krates
Friday, September 23, 9:25–10:25 pm, Troubadour Stage
First of all, Keys N Krates are not DJs. They are a band of skilled producers and performers with an incredible capacity to create live bangers full of hip-hop edge with the informed influence of dance music’s bassiest cultures from Jersey to Chicago, Detroit and the dirty South. Their style has evolved into something real clean and mean over the years. Their super hit single, “Dum Dee Dum,” is one of the biggest tracks to ever come out of Dim Mak Records. The trio takes the duties of being the life of the party very seriously, and fans can rest assured a set from Keys N Krates will be nothing short of explosive.
Follow Keys N Krates on Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
REZZ
Friday, September 23, 5:40–6:40 pm, Troubadour Stage
To call REZZ a breakout artist is a bit of an understatement. After making the jump from tinkering bedroom producer in her native home of Niagara Falls, Canada, to a full-throttle touring artist, she’s quickly become a rising star in the techno circles. She’s got all the street cred she needs: official nods and releases from deadmau5, via her The Silence Is Deafening EP on mau5trap, and Skrillex, via her Insurrection EP through his Nest HQ imprint. She’s since beefed up both her production and live performance chops, which she’ll need on her upcoming tour with Malaa this October. Keep an eye on her upcoming Something Wrong Here EP on mau5trap October 7.
Follow REZZ on Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
Life Is Beautiful 2016 takes place September 23–25 in Downtown Las Vegas. Tickets are available now. For more information, visit the official website.
Follow Life Is Beautiful on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat: @LIBeautifulFest | Periscope: @LifeisBeautiful
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