The first ever Hudson Project Music and Arts Festival is set to kick off this summer. From July 11-13th, Saugerties, NY will be flooded with musical tourists excited to see some of their favorite performers. High-profile artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Modest Mouse and Capital Cities will be headlining the event. This new music festival will also feature some of the best EDM acts. Through this article, Live for Live Music will give you an idea of who we believe are the Top 5 EDM Acts to see at the Hudson Project and who is worthy of your viewing. Get tickets to the Hudson Project here.

5. Kap Slap

This New York-based DJ and remixer has been on a torrent ever since he first started producing mashups while he was attending Lehigh University. Now that he has graduated and is moving on, he’s beginning to enter a life fully dedicated to DJ. His most recent release, the second edition of his now iconic “Bootie Bundle” package of stellar EDM-Pop mixes was released to much success from listeners. Currently, Kap Slap continues to tour the country, headlining iconic music venues, such as Irving Plaza in NY, along with bigger music festivals, like the upcoming Hudson Project. Expect a solid, fun set from Kap Slap full of jamming remixes featuring songs that you never imagined could even mix together.

4. Felix Cartal

Felix Cartal, the Canadian-born producer signed to Dim Mak Records has made a name for himself in the EDM community. Felix has toured with iconic producers such as The Bloody Beetroots, along with Wolfgang Gartner. He’s released two studio albums, Popular Music in 2010 and Different Faces in 2012, along with numerous EPs. Felix has headlined several of the world’s biggest music festivals, such as Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), so huge shows like the Hudson Project will be nothing new to Felix.

3. Moby

Though Richard Melville Hall, known to us at Moby, is currently 48 years old and far older then most producers in today’s EDM, he still holds that creativity and talent we’ve seen since his start. Moby rose to fame in the late 90s as an innovator in EDM, particularly with developing techno and breakbeat hardcore genres. With over 20 million albums sold worldwide, he is considered one of the most successful producers of all-time. When Moby performs as a DJ, he always incorporates both old-school techno, along with more modern fast-cutting beats. Expect nothing short of stellar from Moby’s set at The Hudson Project.

2. Kygo

Many of you may be wondering who this artist is, and even if you do know who he is, why I would have him so high up on the list. Kygo is an up-and-coming 23-year-old producer from the heart of Norway. Kygo has been gaining attraction for his remixes of popular songs: His remix of Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” has attracted well over 15 million views on YouTube. He’s remixed songs for Passenger (“Let Her Go”), Benjamin Francis Leftwich (“Shine”) and he’s even remixed a classic ode to all things soul, “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye. Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin discovered Kygo’s work and recruited him to work on a remix for the band’s newest hit, “Midnight.” Kygo makes all of his music smooth and easy to listen to. His take on electro house is one that more artists should feel inspired to procreate. So if you plan on seeing Kygo, don’t go into it expecting typical mainstream big room house with filthy drops and what not. Expect a calm, soulful set that can almost whisper to you that summer is truly here.

1. Bassnectar

More recently, in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Lorin Ashton, known as Bassnectar, slammed the current EDM industry for how it idolizes “EDM Phonies” who lack talent but simply produce for the money they will make in return. From what we’ve seen of the “long hair don’t care” DJ since the late 90s, Bassnectar is certainly not a phony. His metal-infused dubstep, inspired by 90s metal artists like Metallica and Nirvana, is unique and inspiring to many fans. “Bassheads” (Loyal Bassnectar fans) will vouch for you that Bassnectar always comes with an incredible live performance, highlighted by his out-of-this-Earth light shows he puts together. In an interview in 2011, when describing his newest music, Bassnectar explained that his music is, “A collection of songs I have created for maximum impact in large settings on massive sound systems for groups of people who want to get wild.” With this thought in mind, expect a huge set from Bassnectar, featuring all of the heavy wobbles you can imagine.

– Jeremy Lamstein