Dancefestopia 2012 Preview

The Pitch Main Stage

Yolanda Be Cool, 1:15 AM – 3:00 AM

Using fun, unorthodox samples, Australian duo Yolanda Be Cool makes bouncy, energetic, sometimes goofy, always enjoyable pop music.  And get this; it’s fun to dance to.

Flo Rida, 11:40 PM – 12:55 AM

Flo Rida, who surprisingly enough hails from well, Florida, makes club music.  He makes music that makes babies.  Ok, maybe not babies, but it makes sweat, and that sweat comes from the writhing bodies that smush together when listening to music from Flo Rida.  Expect the same writhing, sweaty bodies during his Dancefestopia set. 

2 Live Crew, 10:10 PM – 11:10 PM

They were big in the ‘90s and, like it or not, are a part of hip-hop history.  Sexually charged subject matter caused a stir back then, but considering what comes out of the radio these days, they fit right in. 

DEV, 8:50 PM – 9:50 PM

The euro-pop influence is strong in this one.  DEV’s hooks are big and made for foam parties.  Although Dancefestopia isn’t planning any foam parties (or haven’t announced them) DEV’s set will be loud, proud, and it will be very hard to not dance (QRO photos at a festival). 

Matt Darey, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Big trance anthems, plenty of breakdowns, build-ups and beat drops await those who venture to experience this U.K. producer’s set.

New Boyz, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM

New Boyz are one of those hip-hop groups that are less about the rapping and more about the dance that goes with the song.  Think Soulja Boy, and/or any other track you’ve heard with a slightly obnoxious hook that after you hear it you cant get it out of your head.  You hate it for a while, but 3 weeks later you hear it again, and you can’t stop dancing.

Matisyahu, 4:55 PM – 5:55 PM

Everyone’s favorite Jewish reggae/alternative/hip-hop artist (QRO photos at a festival) will also provide plenty of moments for dancing, but these moments are more of the lets all hold hands and sway back and forth because if this very Jewish man (QRO photos on Hanukah) can make reggae sound this good, then anything is possible (QRO photos at a festival).

Iggy Azalea, 3:25 PM – 4:25 PM

Hailing from Australia, Iggy Azalea has a flow like Yelawolf (see above), the body of a model, and the attitude of Oakland’s Kreayshawn (QRO photos).  Also, the beats she flows on would put some hip-hop producers from the south to shame. 

XV, 2:05 PM – 3:05 PM

XV hails from Wichita, which is in Kansas.  So it makes sense that XV is a pretty popular thing in Kansas City.  He’s worked with artists like J.Cole and has a genuinely nice flow that feels natural and unforced.  Pretty silky beats make for a damn promising young hip-hop artist.  XV is probably the do-not-miss act.

Irv Da Phenom, 1:05 PM – 1:50 PM

Another local boy, but this one hasn’t had quite the national exposure of XV.  That being said, Irv shows some promise, and with a little polishing could make some noise on the national hip-hop scene.  It’ll be interesting to see what kind of show Irv puts on and the reception he gets.

Lenny Milk, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

The Pitch Main Stage

Morgan Page, 12:50 AM – 3:00 AM

Morgan Page is a hot blonde that makes hot house music.  Sultry vocals weave around acres of bass and synth leads that will bring out the trance in any crowd.

Wiz Khalifa, 11:15 PM – 12:30 AM

The Pittsburgh singer/rapper upset about as many fans as he gained with his move from stoner rap into bona-fide pop music, but he is what he is.  Wiz (QRO photos outdoors) makes music that’s fun to listen to, even if it’s rarely thought provoking or based in anything other than weed or girls.  One thing’s for certain, he will never run out of marijuana-based puns. 

Yelawolf, 9:45 PM – 10:45 PM

Imagine the movie Winter’s Bone, but with significantly more hip-hop and you’ve got Yelawolf (QRO photos at a festival).  The Alabama native is proud of his ‘bama-ness, and has gained a decent following with his rapid-fire flow.

3OH!3, 8:15 PM – 9:15 PM

Electro-pop Coloradans 3OH!3 (QRO live review) also make music for dancing.  That seems to be a bit of a theme at Dancefestopia, you know, dancing.  3OH!3’s set should provide plenty of moments for grinding, jumping, and probably punching the guy next to you for groping your girl.  That’s the way these things go.

Breathe Carolina, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM

Breathe Carolina has the maturity level of an early Blink-182 (QRO album review), but that’s not a bad thing, it’s pretty crucial to the style of music they make.  Electro rock with some screamer elements that fits in decently with 3OH!3 (see above).

Filo and Peri, 5:20 PM – 6:20 PM

Trance, trance, and more trance shall flow from the speakers at Dancefestopia when NY producers Filo & Peri take the stage.  If someone is not dancing at this point, they are obviously passed out or otherwise incapacitated.

Outasight, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Outasight is the stage name of Richard Andrew, singer/rapper extraordinaire from Yonkers, NY (QRO photos at a festival in NY).  Best known for his hit "Tonight Is the Night".

Hyper Crush, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Who doesn’t like a keytar?  Nobody.  Everybody can get down with a keytar.  LA natives Hyper Crush make damn good use of that keytar.  There’s also rapping and a vocalist, but more importantly, keytar.

Secret Panda Society, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Jump Smokers, 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

Nina Sky, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Beautiful identical twins that make dance music that draws influences from reggaeton and dancehall.  All that is really necessary to know is the beautiful identical twins part.