As many of you already know, the inaugural Hudson Project Music and Arts Festival boasts a lineup that could rival other summer festivals that have been in the game for years. With headlining sets from Kendrick Lamar, Bassnectar, The Flaming Lips, and Modest Mouse, the small Hudson Valley town of Saugerties, New York will make a name for itself as a location for must see music. Yet those major name acts are certainly not the only draw to this summer festival. There is such a diverse group of artists andmany of them have an even more interesting backstory.  Below are the six acts I am most excited to see and why they will make The Hudson Project a stellar stand out in the festival scene.

1. theNewDeal is Back in Action

When theNewDeal had announced that they were breaking up in 2011, fans and jam band lovers around the world were extremely saddened by the news. No band could compare to the exotic blend of trance, electro-rock, and improvisational jazz that they brought to the table. But as the lineup was announced for this year’s Hudson Project, so was the news that this fantastic jam band would be playing together onstage again. Although original drummer Darren Shearer will not be performing with the group, bassist Dan Kurtz and keyboard player Jamie Shields have recruited Dragonette drummer Joel Stouffer to fill his place. The Hudson Project stage will host their very first reunion show and it promises to be a monumental experience.

2. !!! Could Literally Mean Anything You Want It To

I have to admit that one of the acts I was initially skeptical about was the one I had no idea how to say. !!!, apparently pronounced as chk, chk, chk, (but also could be bang, bang, bang or pow, pow, pow) is labeled as a California based dance-punk band that is sure to get the crowd going. With their catchy melodies and their undeniably infectious beats, !!!’s music is something you can’t help but tap your toes to. In fact, if their disco infused rendition of One Girl/One Boy doesn’t make you want to dance, you may want to check your pulse because you might be dead.  This is a set that I will definitely experience front and center.

3. STS9 Deserves Their Reboot

STS9’s quick turnaround is arguably one of the biggest stories in today’s jam band news. It was only back in January when founding member and bassist extraordinaire David Murphy announced he was leaving the group due to personal and creative difference. As of April, the band is up and running with seasoned bassist Alana Rocklin and ready to blow away festival goers nationally. As a fan who sadly missed their winter tour due to Murphy’s upheaval, I am very interested to check out the STS9 “reboot”. STS9’s set promises to deliver one of the most visually stunning shows on the road today and I am looking forward to holding them to that high standard.

 

4. GRiZ’s Set Will Be One Enormous Party

This statement may be brought on by a personal bias but I love GRiZ. The first time I saw him play live, I was immediately hooked by the funky grooves he laid down as well as the soulful swagger he projected onto the audience during his headlining set.  It’s obvious that the incredibly talent DJ and his smooth saxophone riffs have a bright future ahead.  As one of the more prominent acts on Hudson’s lineup, expect GRiZ to bring his A Game as he will spin an awesome set complete with spectacular visuals. He is surely an act not to be missed.

5. Tipper’s Recent Endeavors Are Reason Enough to See His Set

Dave Tipper is one of the greatest sound manipulators currently touring and performing. The way he seamlessly blends trip hop and glitch hop, experimental electronica and old school scratching puts him at the top of his game and his competition to shame. Those are great reasons alone to check out his set next month and that’s not all. Last year, Tipper canceled all of his show except for Infrasound and Wakarusa so he could focus on his health. He underwent open-heart surgery and a long and painful road to recovery. While Tipper has played shows sporadically since his surgery, he has mostly laid low despite the recent release of his new album Forward Escape. Tipper’s set at Hudson Project is his moment to solidify his comeback, and it is sure to be mind-blowing.  

 

6. Flatbush ZOMBiES Represent Brooklyn Better Than Most Indie-Rock Artists Today

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the rap group Flatbush ZOMBiES for some time. Through their high profile collaboration with ASAP Rocky, Danny Brown, and fellow Hudson Project performer Action Bronson, rappers Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice, and Erick Arc Elliott are creating a big name for themselves in the hip hop scene. But other than a Coachella appearance earlier this year, the guys have not played many shows on the east, traveling mostly for west coast and overseas shows. Their Hudson Project show is their homecoming as they have not had a show in New York since the early spring. And while a Saugerties stage is certainly different from the Brooklyn streets, it is sure to be just as big of a party.

 

Tickets for the Hudson Project Music and Arts Festival are still available for purchase here. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of one of the best festivals this summer!

 

-Marisa Frydman (@musicalmarisa)