North Coast Music Festival | Preview

Mixing radio-friendly electro giants, rhyme slingers, smoked-out beats and bands that know how to make people dance, North Coast Music Festival brings downtown clubgoers and rave-ready youths together in the name of outdoor revelry. The fledgling festival takes over Union Park Friday 2 through Sunday 4 for its sophomore run. To help you satisfy your craving for stoner grooves, fist-pumping beats and everything in between, we’ve outlined some of its more noteworthy acts on this handy breakdown for you.

Bassnectar
The dreadlocked bass fiend from Cali mixes dubstep with a side of Burning Man psychedelia.
Sun 4 at 8:30pm, North Coast Stage

SBTRKT
Dubstep’s latest poster child, this masked sensation is really the future of soul.
Fri 2 at 6:30pm, North Coast Stage

Paper Diamond
Representing for Colorado’s dank beat scene, he’s one for the Pretty Lights fans.
Sun 4 at 3:35pm, Red Bull Stage

Thievery Corporation
This D.C. duo helped usher in downtempo. With a new record, its dubby lounge is a smoker’s delight.
Sun 4 at 8:30pm, Red Bull Stage

David Guetta
He’s the reason dance music is bigger than ever. He’s also the main attraction this weekend.
Fri 2 at 8:30pm, North Coast Stage

James Zabiela
Fresh-faced and ready to rave, Zabiela’s sets are pure energy.
Fri 2 at 5:30pm, Red Bull Stage

Zeds Dead
Dubstep gone hip-hop; this duo was at it way before Yeezy started sampling Flux Pavilion.
Sat 3 at 3pm, Red Bull Stage

Common
The festival’s elder statesman, hometown hero Common commands mass appeal.
Sat 3 at 7:30pm, Groupon Stage

Loyal Divide
This local indie-electronic quartet gives the fist pumpers something to rock out to.
Sun 4 at 5pm, Magic Hat Stage

STS9
STS9 is Phish for a generation that likes its jam with a side of beats.
Sat 3 at 8:30pm, North Coast Stage

Little Dragon
Beloved by the press, Little Dragon has mastered the art of the organic dance groove.
Sun 4 at 5:30pm, Groupon Stage

New Mastersounds
Many of NCMF’s acts wouldn’t be around without funk breaks. This U.K. quartet focuses on the real McCoy.
Sat 3 at 2:30pm, North Coast Stage

North Coast Music Festival engulfs Union Park Friday 2 through Sunday 4.