April has come and gone and spring time is officially here. For most of us in Orange County this means great summer weather, beach days, bikinis and world renowned electronic dance music artists making their way through our city week after week. Since most of us are gearing up for the 17th annual Electric Daisy Carnival this means lots of free time to make our way to Las Vegas pool parties, but why not save yourself the drive and enjoy some of this summer's top shows right here in your own backyard? Rummaging through the over-saturation of EDM shows every week, we did put together a list of the five best EDM music shows this month–including some of dance music's biggest legends and the most up -and-coming artist who should be on your radar.
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5. TJR
May 30th at Heat Ultra Lounge
TJR's track “Ode to Oi” on Chris Lake's Rising Music label has been a festival favorite and staple on every DJ's sets for almost a year now. He has placed himself on the map as an original producer, remixer and DJ known to cross boundaries in the house, techno and electro genres for quite some time. Already having worked with chart-topping artists like Pitbull, created his own masterpieces like “Funky Vodka” and been a resident DJ at LED events and Voyeur in San Diego where he used to reside, TJR has taken his career to the next level currently on a European tour. He makes it back just in time to play LED's “My Life Everyday” Memorial Day Weekend party and makes a pit stop at Heat Ultra Lounge May 30th before hitting the summer festival circuit. With a Funktion One sound system at Heat expect TJR, born Born Thomas Rozdilsky, to create a sick vibe and energy that's not to be missed.
4. Kastle
May 28th at Focus
With the release of his debut self-titled album last month, Kastle–born Barrett Richards–is slated to be the next breakthrough artist in the underground music scene. Known for his progressive mix of garage and house inspired rhythms, R&B smooth vocals, futuristic bass music, electronica and dub sound, Kastle has been a staple on LA's very own KCRW, BBC Radio 1 and even Rinse.fm. After his Coachella debut at the infamous Do Lab where his quality production and unique sound shined through, the San Francisco native is embarking on his first North American Live tour across the US, Canada and Mexico to support his album. Kastle makes a stop at Focus Tuesdays on May 28th located at Tapas in Newport Beach for a very special an intimate DJ set. A must-see before he gets to big for the small underground style clubs in OC.
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3. Robbie Rivera
May 9th at Sutra
Robbie Rivera is a world-renowned producer, DJ, label owner and creator of the world famous Juicy Beach who's played every club and festival you can imagine. He has more than 20 years of experience in dance music and is most known for his dirty sexy take on house music. Not afraid to evolve with today's electro sound, the Puerto Rican Miami native is bringing his label Juicy Music all over the US on a world tour which makes it's way to the OC at Sutra in Newport Beach on May 9th. With an arsenal of new tracks with everyone from Hot Mouth to Federico Scavo you can expect lot's of fresh new music unlike the usual Beatport top 40 you usually hear at Sutra's Element Thursdays. Now that he has debuted Juicy Beach outside of Miami to the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel, we can only hope he channels the same like energy from WMC in OC for a night that's sure to keep your dancing shoes grooving.
2. Rusko
May 2nd at the Yost Theater
Rusko is the man responsible for helping bring dubstep to the states and crossing the genres between the dub and bass worlds. Born Christopher Mercer, he has been busy on that tour life since he released his latest album Kapow for free last year after getting tired of label politics. Known for being heavily inspired by the uplifting grooves of his hometown UK reggae, dub and smoking a fat one before he goes on stage, Rusko has one of the most energetic stage presence we have ever witnessed. Since we last spoke to him in November he said to expect him to loose about 10 pounds from touring as he goes apeshit on stage and gets down to every beat. He also promised he would be working on a slew of new tracks, going back to some old school drum & bass sounds and working on new collaborations. With his happy defiance for the status quo expect a bacchanal this Havoc Thursday at the Yost Theater.
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1. Armin Van Buuren
May 3 at the Hollywood Palladium
If there was one artist in the EDM world who has reached godly proportions it would have to be the man behind the prolific A State of Trance podcast. Having just celebrated his 600 episode world tour titled “The Expedition” in 11 different cities, ASOT broadcasts on more than 62 radio stations in 52 countries to an average of 20 million listeners weekly. This Friday, the launch of Armin Van Buuren's highly anticipated new album Intense will be held at the sold out (in five minutes may we add) Hollywood Palladium. A follow up to his 2010 Mirage where he created his infamous “Armin Only” extended sets, Intense mirrors that euphoric sound which has given Armin the notoriety as a producer and DJ at everything from the International Dance Music Awards to his record breaking number one streak on the DJ Mag 100 poll. This magical moment will sure to be talked about amongst dance music revelers for years to come.
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