Top Five Local EDM Shows in May

Now that the desert marathon is over and festival season has officially kicked off, a new month is upon us and don't even think for a minute that your livers and wallets will catch a break. Even if you didn't make it to Coachella this year, we're sure you're still itching to rage by now after replaying your favorite sets and scoping out pictures on Instagram. We did the hard work and investigated the massive amount of shows this month to choose the best five local EDM shows for everyone. From dance music newbies to the biggest aficionados; here are the gigs you can't miss out on.

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5. Joris Voorn
Focus OC
Tuesday, May 6

If you didn't get enough tech house in the Coachella Yuma tent, then our local dance music institution has got you covered. As part of his 11 stop North American Tour, the Dutch taste maker will head to Newport Beach in between gigs at Mexico's Electric Zoo and a seven-hour extended set in New York this Spring. Expect things to get deep as the revival of his Dark Science alias has this 17 year DJ veteran on everyone's radar. With a recent Lykke Li remix, long awaited album release in the fall, and opening support from residents Josh Billings and DJ Nonfiction – this is sure to be one heck of an Ibiza style dance affair. 9:30pm – 2am, Tapas at 4253 Martingale Way, Newport Beach, CA 92612.

4. Jack Beats
The Observatory
Tuesday, May 6

Jack Beats's “Beatbox Tour” hits Santa Ana next week as part of Innervision Event's Bassology monthly at The Observatory. The sold out show is in support of the UK duo's recent Beatbox EP out on Skrillex's OSWLA label and their Fabric Live 74 compilation. They've been locked in the studio since WMC working on “The Ill Shit” for you bass lovers out there. With special guest Mr. “Night Bass” (our current favorite Hollywood monthly) aka AC Slater, the night is sure to bring famous LA DJ friends like in the “Beatbox” video. Going to be one heck of party if you're trying to function on a Tuesday night. 9pm, 35035 Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana CA 92704.
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3. Seven Lions
Sutra
Thursday, May 15

Santa Barbara's Jeff Montalvo, better known as Seven Lions is celebrating the release of his latest EP Worlds Apart reaching number one on the US iTunes dance chart this week (beating Skrillex's Recess). Featuring Ellie Goulding, Kerli, and Tove Lo on the smash hit “Strangers” with Myon & Shane 54, he proves that the down tempo basslines of dubstep can fuse with progressive house and trance melodies. He comes to Sutra as part of their Element Thursday's with opening support from local melodic electro selector Nick Ledesma. With a healthy dose of old and new tracks, Montalvo will take you on a tonic journey unlike the usual bangers OC is used to. 9pm, 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92627.

2. Armin Only Intense
The Forum
Friday, May 9

The Grammy-nominated producer, Armada Music label head, and ASOT radio host Armin van Buuren finally brings his “Armin Only Intense World Tour” to LA. Next week, the Forum will host the first major EDM show since it's renovations with an out of this world spectacle featuring acrobats, dancers, live musicians, visuals, pyrotechnics, and a five-hour set by Armin himself. Featuring a mix of classics, tracks from his latest Intense, and new hits like “Ping Pong” which debuted it's official video today. Special guests Richard Bedford, Lauren Evans, Laura Jansen, and Trevor Guthrie will also perform at this special once in a lifetime event. 7pm, 3900 W Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305.
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1. My Life Everyday USA
The Valley View Casino Center
Saturday – Sunday, May 24 & 25

What better way to celebrate Memorial Day and kick of the start of summer than partying your face off in San Diego at LED's My Life Everyday USA. Quickly becoming the rave tycoon and a Finger Lickin' good time in So Cal, LED held nothing back with their line-up this year. With electro house monsters Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, techno king Gesaffelstein, trap lords Flosstradamus, booty bouncing Brazzabelle, and more on Saturday – your jaw better be to the floor waiting for Sunday's holiday line-up featuring Morgan Page, Deorro, TJR, mercer, and more! Two-day tickets are sold out, but you can still get single day tickets before it's too late. 9pm – 4am, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110.

See Also:
Armin Van Buuren Talks About Finding New Intensity in Trance
Johnny Shockey's LED and Goldenvoice Bring a New Era of EDM to Indio
Seven Lions Says Going to Burning Man Changed the Course of His DJ Career

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