I have been to my fair share of EDM shows. I have seen everything from trance to dubstep to house music. Each of these genres have their own uniqueness and fun aspects about them. In consideration for all EDM genres, here are the top 10 artists I have seen live.
1. Porter Robinson
Porter Robinson has an extreme electric sound combined with robotic lyrical and drum and bass beats, like in his song "Sad Machine".
His live performance takes one on a journey with his anime visuals and his commentary throughout. His entire set was a story that each audience member can interpret in their own way.
His beautiful performance brought tears to my eyes and made me feel connected to something bigger than myself.
2. Kygo
Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll (Kygo) is my favorite DJ of all time. His tropical sound is so relaxing and smooth. I never thought I would get to see him live but he went to a music festival in Seattle and performed the first night.
His performance was absolutely beautiful with tropical visuals, beach balls being passed around the crowd, and the many other artists he brought along with him.
He invited Conrad Sewell on stage to do an acoustic version of "Stole the Show" and had Sergio Flores (AKA Sexy Sex Man) do his solo in "Theif" by Ookay. I will never forget the beautiful twinkling lights and Kygo's heart-warming smile up on that festival stage.
3. Excision
I have seen this famous DJ, best known for his influence on the dubstep world, twice now. My first time seeing him was at the music festival Paradiso at the Gorge Amphitheater and the stage made him look like a king.
His visuals are absolutely jaw-dropping because they look so real and it feels like the animals on the screen are jumping right at you. His songs "Africa" and "Robo Kitty" are both awesome visual and auditory performances.
Excision is best for head-bang circles with his dirty beats and the way he excites the crowd.
4. Zedd
Almost everyone knows Zedd's songs "Clarity" and "Beautiful Now". His pop sound is well-known across both the EDM scene and mainstream culture.
His set live was a perfect mix of deep dupstep, remixes of popular songs like "One More Time" by Daft Punk, and his own best hits.
When he performed his song "Candyman" I could feel the whole crowd melt together into one big group of EDM fans that just love music.
His set at the music festival FreakNight included his remix of "Alive". A must-see, must-hear experience.
5. Jauz
Jauz is amazing to see live at both smaller venues in a city or a huge festival in the middle of nowhere.
You will find many fellow Shark Squad members in his crowd wearing his clothing line including jerseys and "Wub Wub Wub" bandanas.
Jauz remixes every one of your favorite songs while including his best songs. He has everyone singing along and is a real crowd pleaser. If you want a SHOW, go pick up a ticket to Jauz.
6. Marshmello
Marshmello is so much fun to see live because of his anonymity and his big, lit-up, smiling Marshmello head. His costume goes along with the beat perfectly as he remixes up on stage and moves the crowd with his commentary.
7. Jai Wolf
I've seen Jai Wolf perform three times now. He is just now getting his start into the EDM world and each performance has gotten better and better.
I will never forget the first time I saw him at What The Festival in Dufur, Oregon. He played at a stage with a pool and the rain was not letting up anytime soon. That didn't stop his fans as we danced in the pouring ran to the beat of his music.
His songs "Indian Summer" and "Drive" sound even better live with him on stage smiling and announcing his love for his fans.
8. Kaskade
Kaskade is one of the "Fathers of EDM". He has been performing for years and was around for the very first raves.
I saw him live at Magnifique in September at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington. He headlined that night and blew me away.
His visuals were absolutely breath-taking with a pixelated owl morphing into people running towards each other in embrace, a dark creature in a suit with purple lights shining everywhere, and more.
The camera panned across the entire crowd in the front showing the love each fan had for each other, for the music and for life overall.
He played his best songs including "Never Sleep Alone" and "Eyes". During "Eyes" the camera would focus on his face as he stared into it with his eyes and alternate between his movements and his awesome visuals of an eyeball with scenes like forests and oceans within the greens and blues of the eye
9. Flume
Harley Edward Streten, best known as Flume, is an Australian DJ and music producer. His music has been on the rise lately with songs including "Never Be Like You" and "Say It".
His performance live is impeccable. He plays your favorite songs from his album "Skin" and entertains the crowd with his flower-like visuals.
I flew all the way to San Francisco to see him perform and would recommend everyone seeing him at least once.
10. Galantis
Galantis is a music producing duo with Christian Karlsson and Linus Eklöw. Their sound is very up-beat and fun to dance to.
I've seen them perform at both a smaller venue in my city and a large festival near Seattle. Both times were equally amazing because they really moved the crowd and got us dancing together.
With their top hits including "No Money" and "Runaway (U & I)", nothing beats Galantis' live pefromance.
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