Your Weekly Vibe Check: Wild Card Weekend
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2024
Electric Forest made the decision to return to just one weekend this year but there was no shortage when it came to massive talent and unbelievable music. Headliners this year included Odesza, Kygo, Bassnectar and Zeds Dead, with a plethora of goodness throughout the rest of the lineup. With everything to see and do in the Forest even four full days isn’t quite enough time to do it all. Inbetween getting lost between the trees I made sure to catch some unmissable sets. Electric Forest is notorious for being “in the moment,” meaning most sets aren’t recorded and I had to get a little creative in forming my list. Below, in no particular order, are my top picks from Electric Forest 2019. (We do not own rights to any of the videos used)
Odesza
Odesza LIVE @ Electric Forest June 27 2019
Odesza was the first of the four major headliners to perform that weekend. Odesza in such a magical setting is a dream set that had fans migrating to Ranch Arena by the masses. The duo is finishing up their tour this month making this one of the last performances of their Grammy-nominated album A Moment Apart. The video captures the entire live experience which features their signature drumline and brass section. It was quite a sight to behold.
Gramatik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXG2AtJY_lQ
Gramatik Live Full Set – Electric Forest 2019
Electric Forest had a bass heavy feel this year. Even funk bands were incorporating heavier sounds into their sets. One of my favorites from the weekend was Gramatik, who played his own tunes, released and otherwise, for the majority of the set. He worked in tunes from his work with both GRiZ and Big Gigantic and rumors for a Big Grizmatik Electric Forest 2020 set have already begun.
CASPA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgSku5e3H08
Caspa – Full Set – Electric Forest 2019 – HQ Audio
Caspa was an unexpected treat of a set. This was the night Bassrush hosted the Triploee stage. Bass set after bass set can start to sound repetitive but Caspa brought some of that OG grimey dub that got the crowd moving. He performed right between Subtronics and 12th Planet, creating a journey that was deep, dark, and heavy.
Bassnectar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuOLTFaZDOk
Bassnectar – Electric Forest 2019
Perhaps it seems cliche, but there’s something to be said for Bassnectar in the Forest. The energy was so focused and intense waiting for him to finally take the stage. He opened with the infamous “Frog Song” and the crowd went wild. Production was unparrelled, giving Lorin the literal spotlight as never ending lazers shot into the crowd. Bassnectar played hit after hit and it was one of my favorite sets from him to date.
Whethan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NpbGEe3yrQ
Whethan Live Set – Electric forest 2019
Though the rain held off for almost the entirety of the weekend, the temperatures were borderline brutal. Most of my days were spent looking for shade amongst the trees but Whethan was a set I couldn’t miss. The set was all over the place in the best way, featuring tunes from The Chemical Brothers to Empire of the Sun to G Jones to Metro Boomin. The crowd responded well to the variety creatinga. fun atmosphere despite the spicy temps. You can catch Whethan here on August 10th with Louis the Child, Win and Woo, and ilo ilo. Grab ticket here.