HARD Summer 2012 Preview
Published: July 31, 2012
By: Jordan Calvano
On August 3-4th, the savvy promoters helming the HARD organization will be bringing Southern California concertgoers another ragin’ event to spice up those sunny summer months. Yes that’s right, we’re talking about HARD Summer, and it is bigger and better than ever before. The yearly event has been going on since 2007, and is bringing Los Angeles some of the biggest names in electronic and indie music, including Boys Noize, Bloc Party, Skrillex, Nero (Live), Miike Snow, A-Trak, and James Murphy (DJ Set). Oh, and remember how we said it was bigger and better this year? Well this is not only attributed to the lineup featuring a slew of illustrious artists, but because the festival is now two days. The event will take place once again on the property of Los Angeles State Historic Park, and create a breathtaking atmosphere set just minutes from the city’s skyline. Free metro rail fare will also be provided for all ticket holders, so be sure to check out the link below for more information on this, and for parking and entrance details. http://www.hardfest.com/hardsummer (Under the “Getting Here” Tab)
Day 1
Things kick off at 5:30pm, and we can promise you that it won’t take long for the venue to get rockin’, so be sure to get there early. Listed below are four must see artists playing late in the night from 8:40-1:50, but if you make it there early we suggest you start your day off right with some Alex Metric, Little Dragon, and John Talabot.
Magnetic Man
Having Benga, Skream, and Artwork in the same production group is like having LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh on the same basketball team; it is a recipe for success. The three producers are legends in their respective scene, and will be giving everyone at The HARD Stage a run for their money when they step up the to the decks.
Miike Snow
Miike Snow is a Swedish indie pop group who are incredibly good at what they do. Their dynamic and energetic stage presence will capture the attention of anyone in the crowd, and have fans boasting about the group’s live show for years to come.
Araabmuzik
Araabmuzik has become an incredibly well known name at festivals this past year, with a unique style of performance that will leave crowds speechless. Whether it’s the way he turns his hat back and forth over and over again, or the way he abuses his MPC like he was mad, it should go without saying that this man is going to bring the heavy.
Boys Noize
When Boys Noize steps in front of a crowd, he is not just going to drop song after song with no emotion. His tantalizing style of performance will grip the soul of anyone in attendance, and have their body in a state of constant fluctuation as he builds layers upon his tracks till finally releasing their full extent.
Day 2
So you’ve made it through day one at HARD Summer, and simply can’t wait for what they have in store for you on day two. Well here’s a little sneak preview; its going to get heavy, real heavy, so prepare your ears for the eminent womps and soaring build ups. We can promise that there will be some touch decision making when a slew of crowd favorites play at the same time, but hopefully we can help you solve this difficult dilemma.
A-Trak
You know you have achieved boss status when your name appears on the schedule twice, and your label has its own stage. This is the case for A-Trak, whose mind-warping abilities in the world of turntablism will entrance any listener. If you watched his set on day one and are looking for something new, we suggest you check out Trolley Snatcha, Huoratron, and some Nick Thayer before that.
Squarepusher
When Squarepusher packs up for Hard Summer, he will be bringing with him a few main items: a unique stage setup, an ominous mask, and a collection of mesmerizing new tunes. These three items will help establish his set as one of the most memorable of the weekend, and light up the crowd after the sun goes down.
Alvin Risk
Alvin Risk continues to be one of the most complex, unpredictable, and jaw dropping producers to tear things up lately. He will be bringing to the OWSLA stage an unlimited supply of thunderous remixes and original tracks, and create an hour of straight bliss for anyone who attends.
Nero (Live) / Zedd
What will probably be the toughest decision for most people on night two will be the crossover sets of Nero, Datsik, Claude VonStroke, and Zedd. We suggest that you split your time between Nero and Zedd since these European performances don’t come to America as often, and a Nero live set in America is very rare. Or you could get really weird with it and find a way to juggle all four in two hours, before finishing off the night with Skrillex or James Murphy.
HARD Summer is finally upon us, and we hope to see you there. Listed above are some suggestions to make your life a little easier, but it goes without saying that every artist is going to be brining down the house.
On August 3-4th, the savvy promoters helming the HARD organization will be bringing Southern California concertgoers another ragin’ event to spice up those sunny summer months. Yes that’s right, we’re talking about HARD Summer, and it is bigger and better than ever before. The yearly event has been going on since 2007, and is bringing Los Angeles some of the biggest names in electronic and indie music, including Boys Noize, Bloc Party, Skrillex, Nero (Live), Miike Snow, A-Trak, and James Murphy (DJ Set). Oh, and remember how we said it was bigger and better this year? Well this is not only attributed to the lineup featuring a slew of illustrious artists, but because the festival is now two days. The event will take place once again on the property of Los Angeles State Historic Park, and create a breathtaking atmosphere set just minutes from the city’s skyline. Free metro rail fare will also be provided for all ticket holders, so be sure to check out the link below for more information on this, and for parking and entrance details. http://www.hardfest.com/hardsummer (Under the “Getting Here” Tab)
Day 1
Things kick off at 5:30pm, and we can promise you that it won’t take long for the venue to get rockin’, so be sure to get there early. Listed below are four must see artists playing late in the night from 8:40-1:50, but if you make it there early we suggest you start your day off right with some Alex Metric, Little Dragon, and John Talabot.
Magnetic Man
Having Benga, Skream, and Artwork in the same production group is like having LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh on the same basketball team; it is a recipe for success. The three producers are legends in their respective scene, and will be giving everyone at The HARD Stage a run for their money when they step up the to the decks.
Miike Snow
Miike Snow is a Swedish indie pop group who are incredibly good at what they do. Their dynamic and energetic stage presence will capture the attention of anyone in the crowd, and have fans boasting about the group’s live show for years to come.
Araabmuzik
Araabmuzik has become an incredibly well known name at festivals this past year, with a unique style of performance that will leave crowds speechless. Whether it’s the way he turns his hat back and forth over and over again, or the way he abuses his MPC like he was mad, it should go without saying that this man is going to bring the heavy.
Boys Noize
When Boys Noize steps in front of a crowd, he is not just going to drop song after song with no emotion. His tantalizing style of performance will grip the soul of anyone in attendance, and have their body in a state of constant fluctuation as he builds layers upon his tracks till finally releasing their full extent.
Day 2
So you’ve made it through day one at HARD Summer, and simply can’t wait for what they have in store for you on day two. Well here’s a little sneak preview; its going to get heavy, real heavy, so prepare your ears for the eminent womps and soaring build ups. We can promise that there will be some touch decision making when a slew of crowd favorites play at the same time, but hopefully we can help you solve this difficult dilemma.
A-Trak
You know you have achieved boss status when your name appears on the schedule twice, and your label has its own stage. This is the case for A-Trak, whose mind-warping abilities in the world of turntablism will entrance any listener. If you watched his set on day one and are looking for something new, we suggest you check out Trolley Snatcha, Huoratron, and some Nick Thayer before that.
Squarepusher
When Squarepusher packs up for Hard Summer, he will be bringing with him a few main items: a unique stage setup, an ominous mask, and a collection of mesmerizing new tunes. These three items will help establish his set as one of the most memorable of the weekend, and light up the crowd after the sun goes down.
Alvin Risk
Alvin Risk continues to be one of the most complex, unpredictable, and jaw dropping producers to tear things up lately. He will be bringing to the OWSLA stage an unlimited supply of thunderous remixes and original tracks, and create an hour of straight bliss for anyone who attends.
Nero (Live) / Zedd
What will probably be the toughest decision for most people on night two will be the crossover sets of Nero, Datsik, Claude VonStroke, and Zedd. We suggest that you split your time between Nero and Zedd since these European performances don’t come to America as often, and a Nero live set in America is very rare. Or you could get really weird with it and find a way to juggle all four in two hours, before finishing off the night with Skrillex or James Murphy.
HARD Summer is finally upon us, and we hope to see you there. Listed above are some suggestions to make your life a little easier, but it goes without saying that every artist is going to be brining down the house.
Tags: Drum and BassDubstepHouseElectroBreaksTechnoHip HopDowntempo
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