Northcoast Music Festival is back at SeatGeek Stadium this year and they’re bringing along one of the most diverse EDM lineups the 2022 US festival circuit has to offer. With booming tech house from Fisher to face-melting riddim from SVDDEN DEATH, there’s something for everyone at all times across the festival’s six stages.
As electronic subgenres grow rapidly and many of the billed artists create waves in the scene, we put together a list of 12 sets this year that would be worth checking out.
FISHER
Genre: Tech House
The man that needs no introduction, Aussie tech-house powerhouse FISHER soared to the top when he released “Losing It” and he hasn’t shown signs of stopping ever since. The last time I saw FISHER, it may as well have been advertised as a workout because not only did the music encourage jumping and dancing, but the raw energy of the crowd fueled it too. If you’re into house music, FISHER should easily be a lock on your Friday schedule.
Check out: It’s a Killa (ft. Shermanology)
Wanna Go Dancin’
Porter Robinson
Genre: He’s his own genre / Synth-pop
Porter Robison is truly in his own world. He’s 2 for 2 on albums that left a footprint in the electronic scene with Worlds and Nurture, even with different sounds on each respectively. I cannot stress enough how unique of an artist Porter turned himself into since his Spitfire EP. If you want to smile, cry, laugh, and even rage a little all within an hour’s time span, Porter’s set is the Sunday closer for you.
Madeon
Genre: Electro / Synth-pop
Madeon’s Good Faith tour was genuinely such a spectacle and the visuals alone make his sets a must-see. Spending the last few years refining and fine-tuning the setlist and visual accompaniment, Madeon turned his discography into one badass show. Especially because the set will be taking place in the stadium, I definitely recommend catching Madeon’s set this year if you haven’t seen him before.
Check out: The Prince
All My Friends
Tchami b2b Malaa
Genres: Future House / Bass House
I’m really hoping North Coast took the proper precautions and is bringing along adequate emergency services this year, because I can already tell this B2B is going to be on fire. Both are big names in the house genre and they already have the chemistry that will make this set a special one. The two makeup one half of French EDM collective Pardon My French and have released tracks together dating as far as four years back. To get a taste of their sounds meshed into one, check out collab track “Prophecy”, as well as their collab EP “No Redemption” from 2018.
Dombresky
Genre: House
I first heard Dombresky when he released “Utopia” under Tchami’s record label Confession and I’ve been spinning him ever since. Definitely an artist to keep on your radar, the French producer has been releasing tracks under Insomniac and Armada as he has been making a name for himself in the French House game.
Check Out: Do You Remember (ft. Camden Cox)
Futurmastic
Rusko
Genres: UK Garage, Dubstep
An early pioneer in the dubstep scene, Rusko is a perfect legacy act for this year’s bill. Since his last album release in 2012, he’s been releasing more UK Garage, and that alongside the dubstep will definitely get the Vega stage moving Friday afternoon. Definitely a change of pace, it’s always fun when a genre much popular across the pond gets some playtime here.
Check Out: Mac 19
Bounce (ft. Subtronics)
Kaytranada
Genre: Hip Hop
What I see as the wildcard on this year’s lineup, Kaytranada has become one of my favorite hip-hop producers to date. His beats mesh between electronic and hip hop elements creating a seamless world between both. His tracks feature vocalists such as Anderson Paak and Kali Uchis, as well as executive producing for rapper IDK’s most recent album “Simple.” Kaytranadas set closing the Canopy on Sunday will be a guaranteed good-vibed dance party.
Check out: 10% (ft. Kali Uchis)
Twin Flame (ft. Anderson Paak)
You’re the One (ft. Syd)
Diplo
Genre: Everything (lately house)
Always doing something in some genre of the electronic space, Diplo is one of the most versatile artists on the festival’s lineup. Recently you’ve been hearing his name attached to house music with his self-titled album “Diplo” which was released earlier this year, featuring the smash “On My Mind” featuring SIDEPIECE. Diplo can go a million directions in his sets and they’re always a good time. House, trap, moombah, whatever you want, odds are he’s produced it in the past. Do I need to say anything more? I mean… It’s Diplo.
CID
Genre: House
New York DJ and producer CID knows how to keep the party moving with everyone’s favorite 128 bpm. Facilitating local house beats, CID has his own record label “Night Service Only”, housing his releases as well as being featured on labels such as FISHERS Catch and Release, and Insomniac.
Check Out: La La La
Carnaval de Paris
Said The Sky
Genre: Melodic Bass
On a tear these last few years, Said the Sky has emerged in the scene and earned a spot next to big names such as Illenium and Seven Lions, both of whom are featured on this year’s North Coast bill. His tracks are transcendental and emotional, an in-your-face picture painted by powerful chords and progression. The Stadium stage on Saturday will have fans all over for StS and Illenium as two of the last three sets.
Check Out: Sound of Where’d You Go (with Illenium, 1788-L)
Rush Over Me (with Illenium, Seven Lions)
Slander
Genres: Future Bass / Trap
LA-based duo Slander has been slaying the melodic future bass game, but don’t let that distract you from the fact that they could slap you right across the face with some face-melting heavy bass trap music, too. Their sets are a nice balance of vibey and heavy and they’re the perfect opener for Porter Robinson on Sunday.
Subtronics
Genres: Riddim / Dubstep
This guy must run his own cult I swear, because every basshead I know is head over heels for him. Subtronics is one of the biggest names in bass music right now and for a good reason. His sound design is some of the best I’ve heard in the genre and he’s earned his spot in closing the Vega stage on Friday. He’s transformed massive house songs like Escape by Kx5 and Do It To It by Acraze into neck-breaking riddim bangers. Hopefully the front rail is secured to the ground because it’ll be rocking back and forth the entire set.
Words by Arthur Siwek for Pursuit of Dopeness
