Electric Forest 2017 Weekend One Preview

In 2011, building on the Rothbury Festival of 2008 & 2009 (QRO photos of Rothbury ’09), Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, MI began the jam-electronic Electric Forest Festival. In 2017, the festival is expanding to two four-day weekends, Thursday-Sunday, June 22nd-25th & June 29th-July 2nd:

THURSDAY, JUNE 22nd

Ranch Arena Above & Beyond, 11:20 PM – 1:00 AM Reaching above & beyond da club beats is Above & Beyond (QRO photos), who return to Electric Forest.

The String Cheese Incident, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Colorado’s String Cheese Incident (QRO photos at a festival) had been one of the jam bands hardest working the road circuit, combining bluegrass and a whole host of other sounds. But after the 2007 departure of guitarist Bill Nershi following that summer’s tour, the band went into hiatus as they worked on their various solo projects. Only a couple of years later the group reunited for sporadic shows and touring (QRO photos). Now they come back to Rothbury behind this year’s Believe. The String Cheese Incident (QRO photos at a festival) have played every year of Electric Forest – and for ’17, they play two sets on Thursday, and three on Friday (see below)!

The Revivalists, 4:45 PM – 6:15 PM New Orleans seven-piece Americana rock band The Revivalists (QRO photos at a festival) were last year named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Bands You Need To Know.” Also: Con Brio, 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Sherwood Court LOTUS, 12:00 AM – 2:00 AM Indiana’s LOTUS (QRO photos at a festival) moved from self-described “jamtronica” into a more electronic & instrumental style – but is still a jam band festival mainstay (QRO photos at a festival), including most Electric Forests.

Bob Moses, 10:00 PM – 11:15 PM A duo, not a band, Jimmy Vallance & Tom Howe form electronic act Bob Moses, who return to Electric Forest.

EDEN, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM Ireland’s Jonathon Ng, a.k.a. EDEN, has moved from dubstep to indie-pop.

Also: Waka Flocka Flame, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM – QRO photos Brasstracks, 4:15 PM – 5:30 PM

Tripolee Claude VonStroke, 12:00 AM – 2:00 AM San Francisco house & techno producer Barclay Macbride Crenshaw spins beats of his own as Claude VonStroke, returning to Electric Forest.

Maya Jane Coles, 10:30 PM – 12:00 AM While London’s Maya Jane Coles plays house music, her alter-ego Nocturnal Sunshine goes dubstep – and she’s one-half of electronic dub duo She Is Danger, so who knows what to expect at Electric Forest.

Also: Walker & Royce, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM Machinedrum, 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM Jimmy Edgar, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sonny Fodera, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Golf Clap, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Jubilee Vince Staples, 1:00 AM – 2:00 AM Electric Forest got a choice lyricist in Vince Staples (QRO photos at a festival). The Long Beach native first came up with others, such as in the group Cutthroat Boyz and in association with Odd Future (QRO live review), but has since made a name all his own (QRO photos at a festival), including a recent appearance on The Daily Show (QRO Music on Late Night TV).

Also: Breaking Biscuits, 10:45 PM – 12:15 AM Banks, 9:15 PM – 10:15 PM – QRO photos outdoors The London Souls, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM – QRO photos at a festival Giraffage, 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM Shaed, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

The Hangar Everyone Orchestra, 12:15 AM – 1:30 AM Multi-instrumentalist Matt Butler brings his massive revolving door of improvisational musicians, Everyone Orchestra, back to Electric Forest.

Kamasi Washington, 10:30 PM – 11:45 PM Acclaimed saxophonist Kamasi Washington (QRO photos at a festival) brings a modern air to the jazz instrument, for accessible alt-jazz (QRO photos at a festival). He plays The Hangar twice at he plays Electric Forest for his second year in a row.

Also: Thriftworks, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM Vourteque, 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM The New Standards, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM

Forest Stage Phutureprimitive, 11:15 PM – 12:30 AM Dabin, 9:30 PM – 10:45 PM Corrupt, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM Borahm Lee, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Dixon’s Violin, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

The Observatory Space Jesus, 12:15 AM – 1:30 AM Saint Wknd, 10:30 PM – 11:45 PM The Accidentals, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM Khruangbin, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Cobi, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Adam Deitch, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

FRIDAY, JUNE 23rd

Ranch Arena ODESZA, 12:30 AM – 2:00 AM Harrison Mills & Clayton Knight managed to put out their debut as electronic duo ODESZA (QRO photos) while still in their senior year back in ’12 with Summer’s Gone, and come back to Electric Forest (QRO photos at a festival) off of 2014’s follow-up full-length, In Return.

The String Cheese Incident, 7:00 PM – 11:45 PM Colorado’s String Cheese Incident (QRO photos at a festival) had been one of the jam bands hardest working the road circuit, combining bluegrass and a whole host of other sounds. But after the 2007 departure of guitarist Bill Nershi following that summer’s tour, the band went into hiatus as they worked on their various solo projects. Only a couple of years later the group reunited for sporadic shows and touring (QRO photos). Now they come back to Rothbury behind this year’s Believe. The String Cheese Incident (QRO photos at a festival) have played every year of Electric Forest – and for ’17, they play two sets on Thursday (see above), and three on Friday!

Matisyahu, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM Everyone’s favorite Jewish reggae/alternative/hip-hop artist (QRO photos) will also provide plenty of moments for dancing (QRO photos at a festival), but these moments are more of the lets all hold hands and sway back and forth (QRO live review) because if this very Jewish man (QRO photos on Hanukah) can make reggae sound this good (QRO photos at a festival), then anything is possible (QRO photos at a festival). He returns to Rothbury after playing the festival there in 2009 (QRO photos at Rothbury ‘09).

Sherwood Court Tycho, 11:15 PM – 12:30 AM Ambient electronics comes back to Electric Forest in the form of Scott Hansen (QRO photos at a festival), a.k.a. Tycho (QRO photos), who is touring (QRO photos) off of last year’s acclaimed Epoch, his follow-up to 2014’s Awake (QRO review).

Also: Troy Boi, 9:30 PM – 10:45 PM Jai Wolf, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Big Wild, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Fakear, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Chet Porter, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Tripolee NERO, 2:00 AM – 3:15 AM Dubstep big-name NERO (QRO live review) does a full live set at Electric Forest (QRO photos at a festival).

Also: Andy C, 12:45 AM – 2:00 AM Zomboy, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM Crizzly, 10:30 PM – 11:30 PM – QRO photos at a festival Pendulum, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM – QRO photos Eptic, 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM Liquid Stranger B2B Space Jesus, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Trampa, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Dimond Saints, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Woolymammoth, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Fury + MC Dino, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Yoga with Hannah Muse, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Jubilee Lettuce, 1:30 AM – 3:00 AM Get funky with Boston’s many-membered Lettuce (QRO photos at a festival), who’ve played Electric Forest every other year since 2011.

Also: OTT, 11:15 PM – 12:30 AM Nombe, 9:30 PM – 10:45 PM Jacob Banks, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Two Friends, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM Everyone Orchestra, 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM The Fitness Marshall, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The Hangar Motion Potion, 2:00 AM – 3:00 AM Sepiatonic, 12:45 AM – 1:45 AM Kamasi Washington, 11:00 PM – 12:15 AM – QRO photos at a festival Lynx & The Servants of Song, 9:00 PM – 10:15 PM Donny McCaslin, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Brazilian Girls, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM Vourteque, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Forest Stage AC Slater, 1:30 AM – 3:00 AM DJ AC Slater – not the Saved By the Bell character – returns to Electric Forest for the second year in a row.

Jack Beats, 12:00 AM – 1:30 AM DJ Plus One from Scratch Perverts and Beni G from The Mixologists form the award-winning duo Jack Beats, whose sounds go from big bass to a cappella.

Also: Chris Lake, 10:30 PM – 12:00 AM Redlight, 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM Ardalan, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Shift K3Y, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Sinden, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Bot, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

The Observatory Barclay Crenshaw, 2:00 AM – 3:15 AM Dixon’s Violin, 12:30 AM – 1:30 AM Eric Krasno Band, 10:45 PM – 12:00 AM Consider the Source, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM Corbu, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM Lynx & The Servants of Song, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Monarch Rachel & Their Royal Court, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Alfiya Glow, 3:25 PM – 3:50 PM Frankie Tanimal, 3:10 PM – 3:25 PM Heartwurkz, 2:35 PM – 3:00 PM M.O.B., 2:00 PM – 2:25 PM Dance of Anarkali, 1:35 PM – 1:50 PM Melody Monroe, 1:00 PM – 1:25 PM

SATURDAY, JUNE 24th

Ranch Arena Bassnectar, 12:30 AM – 2:00 AM A festival mainstay (QRO photos), like at many prior Electric Forests, Lorin Ashton (a.k.a. Bassnectar – QRO photos) brings the lights live (QRO photos at a festival) – as well as the hair… (QRO photos at a festival)

My Morning Jacket, 9:00 PM – 11:45 PM The current alt-country wave has lifted the boats of bands that had already been doing it for a long time, such Wilco (QRO live review) and My Morning Jacket (QRO live review). The Louisville outfit, fronted by singer/guitarist Jim James, doesn’t have to just play it sweet, but also keep the rock. They reached the bigger time with 2008’s Evil Urges (QRO review) and 2011’s Circuital (QRO review), but are still growing – even had a whole episode of American Dad about/with them (okay, not Family Guy, but still…). Having already hit the big time (QRO photos outdoors), they can definitely handle Electric Forest (QRO photos headlining a festival), which they come to after 2015’s release of their latest, The Waterfall.

The Floozies, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM Brothers Mark & Matt Hill (drums & guitar, respectively) combine top-notch electronic production with party-rock energy, and play their fourth Electric Forest in five years.

The Motet, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM The sprawling Motet (QRO photos at a festival) crisscrosses genres as they crisscross the country, returning to Electric Forest for the second time in three years.

Sherwood Court ILLENIUM, 11:15 PM – 12:30 AM San Francisco DJ & producer Nick Miller, a.k.a. ILLENIUM, returns to Electric Forest for the second time in three years.

Also: Crywolf, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM Francis & The Lights, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Tauk, 5:15 PM – 6:30 PM

Tripolee Oliver Heldens, 2:00 AM – 3:15 AM Thefatrat, 12:45 AM – 2:00 AM Rezz, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM Liquid Stranger, 10:15 PM – 11:30 PM Ganja White Night, 9:00 PM – 10:15 PM AC Slater, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM Ekali, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM Dirty Audio, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Yooki, 4:15 PM – 5:30 PM Corrupt, 2:00 PM – 4:15 PM Yoga with Hannah Muse, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Jubilee The Motet Mixtape Hall of Fame, 1:00 AM – 3:00 AM – QRO photos at a festival Opiuo, 11:15 PM – 12:30 AM Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, 9:15 PM – 10:45 PM This Song Is Sick Secret Sets, 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM Southern Avenue, 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM The Fitness Marshall, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The Hangar Vourteque, 12:00 AM – 2:30 AM Sepiatonic, 10:15 PM – 11:15 PM Cofresi, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM Honey Larochelle, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM DJ Mancub, 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM The Performer Plug In Showcase, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Forest Stage SNBRN, 1:45 AM – 3:00 AM Thriftworks, 11:45 PM – 1:00 AM Stélouse, 10:00 PM – 11:15 PM Win and Woo, 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM Wingtip, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM Dixon’s Violin, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM

The Observatory Eminence Ensemble, 2:00 AM – 3:15 AM Earphorik, 12:15 AM – 1:30 AM CBDB, 10:30 PM – 11:45 PM Her, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Vox Vidorra, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM The Bluegrass Generals, 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM Keith Mackenzie, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

SUNDAY, JUNE 25th

Ranch Arena Dillon Francis, 11:15 PM – 12:30 AM American electronic artist Dillon Francis (QRO photos at a festival) has worked with big name DJs like Calvin Harris (QRO album review) and Diplo (QRO photos), to the point where he’s a big-name DJ all on his very own, headlining the last night of Ranch Arena.

Papadosio, 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM Papadosio (QRO photos at a festival) expands minds with genre-defying music, playing his fourth Electric Forest.

Breakbot, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM French DJ & producer Thibaut Jean-Marie Michel Berland, a.k.a. Breakbot, comes to Electric Forest after last year’s release of Still Water (and his song “Star Tripper” being featured in Disney’s Star Wars-themed album, Star Wars Headspace).

The Infamous Stringdusters, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM The Infamous Stringdusters (QRO photos at a festival) have earned their reputation with relentless bluegrass touring.

Sherwood Court Big Gigantic, 12:15 AM – 1:45 AM Boulder’s Big Gigantic (QRO photos at a festival) mix (big) electronic beats with live drums and even live saxo-mo-phone. Known to set crowds in a writhing heap of body parts (QRO photos at a festival), Big Gigantic (QRO photos at a festival) has been showcasing their electronic fervor all across the globe (QRO photos at a festival), including multiple Electric Forests, and the last ever New Year’s Eve at New York City’s closed landmark venue Roseland Ballroom (QRO live review).

Also: Snakehips, 10:15 PM – 11:30 PM Matoma, 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM Autograf, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM Echos, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Tripolee A-Trak, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM Montreal’s Alain Macklovitch – a.k.a. A-Trak (QRO photos at a festival) – got notice when picked to be the personal DJ to none other than Kanye West (QRO album review), but has also produced for the likes of Lupe Fiasco (QRO photos at a festival) & Kid Sister (QRO photos at a festival), as well as his work with Armand Van Helden as Duck Sauce (QRO photos at a festival). He plays Electric Forest for a second time.

Also: SNBRN, 10:15 PM – 11:30 PM Haywyre, 9:00 PM – 10:15 PM Wave Racer, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM Viceroy, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Pham, 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM Asadi, 4:15 PM – 5:30 PM Carmada, 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM Pluto, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Discovery Project Winner, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Yoga with Hannah Muse, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM

Jubilee EOTO, 12:45 AM – 2:15 AM Electronics go live with Boulder, Colorado’s EOTO (QRO photos at a festival). The duo of Jason Hann and Michael Travis perform without a script or loops. They’ve played virtually every Electric Forest.

12th Planet, 11:00 PM – 12:15 AM John Dadzie is a Los Angeles dubstep producer and DJ that’s better known as 12th Planet. He plays his fourth Electric Forest.

Also: Ganja White Night, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM Minnesota, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM DJ Ez, 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM Protoje, 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM

The Hangar Vourteque, 12:45 AM – 2:15 AM Sepiatonic, 10:45 PM – 12:00 AM Xenia Rubios, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Eminence Ensemble, 7:15 PM – 8:30 PM Honey Larochelle, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Vourteque, 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM

Forest Stage FKJ, 10:45 PM – 12:00 AM Tom Misch, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM Whethan, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Thefatrat, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM Discovery Project Winner, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

The Observatory Dixon’s Violin, 12:45 AM – 1:45 AM Spafford, 11:00 PM – 12:15 AM Trevor Hall, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM The Hip Abduction, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM TBA, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM