5 artists not to miss at Lightning in a Bottle 2017

5 artists not to miss at Lightning in a Bottle

Lightning in a Bottle has become a veritable institution over the past several years. Held annually in the expanse of Bradley, CA, the annual gathering has gained a reputation as California’s premier Memorial Day Weekend festival.

Upon the desert landscape (which will include a lake for the first time ever this year), musicians from across all areas of the electronic music realm. It’s a difficult exercise to single out a mere five artists to not miss, given the plethora of incredible artists slotted to perform at the event. Indeed, while there are innumerable exceptional artists which are not on this list, here are five artists which we recommend making a point to see.

Tickets for Lightning in a Bottle are available here.

Words by Will McCarthy and Michael Sundius.

Featured image by Daniel Zetterstrom. 

5. Hernan Cattaneo

In the world of progressive house, Hernan Cattaneo is dancefloor royalty. The Argentinian veteran has been captivating audiences for multiple decades with his spell-binding, multi-hour DJ sets. With a keen sense for narrative arc, Cattaneo can lead a true dancefloor journey like no other.

Hernan’s US appearances are few and far between. Luckily, LiB has given him a proper platform to showcase his one-of-a-kind talent: the closing set at the Woogie on Saturday night.

4. Bassnectar

In many respects, Bassnectar is an utterly obvious choice to include on this list. After all, the Sunday Lightning stage headliner has by far the largest US following of any artist on the festival’s lineup. However, Lorin Ashton is more than a simple large-typeface name on the LiB roster – he’s been a recurrent fixture on lineups throughout the event’s rich history.

In 2007, before he or Lightning in a Bottle had anywhere close to the renown they have today, Bassnectar was there – and he hasn’t been far since. While Ashton has been known to hop onto unofficial sets in disguise in recent years, 2017 marks the first time he’s been on the lineup in five years. The chance to watch him close out the festival, should prove to be nothing short of legendary.

3. Barclay Crenshaw

Known to most as Claude VonStroke, the Dirtybird founder took on another identity in the music industry in 2015: his own. Operating under his real name, Barclay Crenshaw has established a new reputation, veering away from the pounding club beats which define his famed imprint in favor of quaking, hip hop-driven percussion. Ranging from cerebral, to ambient, to formidable,

Crenshaw’s music resonates widely enough that he has begun to play many festivals under his birth-given alias in lieu of his renowned pseudonym. The eclectic musician proved his compatibility with the Do LaB during his set at Coachella last month, and stands as one of the most enticing billings of LiB’s Thunder stage this coming weekend.

2. Stephan Bodzin

Stephan Bodzin is easily one of the most riveting live performers in the electronic space. The German techno stalwart has the charisma of an inspired conductor, and performs his coveted live sets with a impassioned sense of bravado. His actions and gesticulations are matched in grandeur only by the dramatic compositions over which he lays command.

To catch Stephan Bodzin live is truly to witness a master at work. In the outdoor setting of the Woogie stage, Bodzin is sure to provide the kind of dramatic, awe-inspiring spectacle of which only he is capable.

1. Richie Hawtin

Richie Hawtin is a legend among legends. Indeed, modern day techno would not be what it is were it not for the veritably brilliant artist and his Plastikman alter-ego. At Coachella, the iconic artist debuted his avant-garde “CLOSE” performance – a technically dazzling showcase which conceptually paired the robotic nature of electronic music with its innate humanness.

Though Hawtin will not be bringing the CLOSE rig to Lightning in the Bottle, any set by the Canadian techno übermensch is essential to witness. Under the electric trees of the Woogie stage, Richie Hawtin’s set is guaranteed to be a spectacle to behold.

Photo by Julian Bajsel.

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