As the summer sun starts to warm up the festival season, the highly anticipated Cascade Equinox Festival is just around the corner. This remarkable event, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Cascade Mountains, offers an unforgettable experience for music lovers and adventurers. With a diverse and exceptional international and local talent lineup, the festival spans multiple genres and promises to cater to every musical taste.
In addition to the top-notch musical performances, the Cascade Equinox Festival offers many immersive experiences, including interactive art installations, engaging workshops, and a bustling marketplace filled with eclectic vendors. Festival-goers can connect with like-minded individuals, create lasting memories, and indulge in the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere that defines Cascade Equinox. To help you make the most of this unforgettable event, we have compiled a list of the top ten artists that you can’t miss at this year’s festival. So, grab your dancing shoes, open your mind, and prepare for an incredible adventure at Cascade Equinox with these ten artists.
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1. Pretty Lights
Electronic music producer Derek Vincent Smith, also known as Pretty Lights, has announced his comeback tour, the Soundship Spacesystem Tour, featuring 27 dates across 9 cities and appearances at Cascade Equinox Festival and Suwannee Hulaween. The tour features stops from coast to coast, including multi-night runs in Denver, Dillon, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Chicago, Pelham, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Festival appearances include Suwannee Hulaween (Live Oak, FL) and Cascade Equinox Festival (Redmond, OR).
2. Frameworks
British songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Matthew James Brewer, better known as Frameworks, has released his mesmerizing new LP, “Reflections.” The album results from cultivation and craftsmanship, as Brewer learned to be present and let songs come to him rather than chasing them. “Reflections” features a lean, direct sound with driving electronic beats, analog synthesizers, and chopped-up vocal samples. This poignant contemplation of growth, purpose, and catharsis is the perfect soundtrack for the dancefloor and reflective moments.
Known for his cinematic mix of instrumental hip-hop and organic house music, Frameworks first gained fame with his 2015 debut, “Tides,” and has since collaborated with prominent artists, performed at major festivals, and garnered millions of streams.
3. Maddy O’Neal
Maddy O’Neal, a Denver-based self-taught producer and DJ, is a must-see act at Cascade Equinox due to her unique blend of dirty, funky bass music with pretty, soulful melodies. Her style spans various genres, incorporating electro-soul inspirations, driven basslines, and glitched-out hip-hop grooves. Maddy’s live performances showcase her original compositions, drum pads, and an eclectic mix of tracks ranging from grimy bangers to shimmery vocal bass tunes. Her infectious energy has taken her to stages nationwide, playing 90+ shows yearly and amassing an impressive touring resume. With hits like “Zest Please,” a collaboration with CloZee that gained over 2 million Spotify plays in just one year, four EPs, and a second full-length album coming this fall, Maddy O’Neal continues to captivate fans worldwide.
Her previous festival roster includes Electric Forest, Camp Bisco, Summer Camp, North Coast, Summer Meltdown, Red Rocks, and supporting acts like CloZee, Pretty Lights, Big Gigantic, The Floozies, Opiuo, Wreckno, Cherub, SunSquabi, and Manic Focus.
4. Manic Focus
Manic Focus, the electronic music project of Denver-based producer John “JmaC” McCarten, is an act you won’t want to miss at Cascade Equinox. Drawing from funk, soul, and new-era hip-hop roots, JmaC’s multi-genre style fuses soulful blues with heavy-hitting bass to create a unique sound. With a background in classical piano and a deep appreciation for hip-hop, JmaC has released six full-length albums, each showcasing a new evolution in sound and approach.
His latest album, “Never Not Blue,” emphasizes original, sample-free recordings. In addition to his solo work, JmaC has collaborated with artists like Break Science, Mersiv, SoDown, K+Lab, ProbCause, and Marvel Years, and has completed official remixes for notable acts such as Louis the Child, Zed’s Dead, Pretty Lights, GRiZ, The Floozies, Umphrey’s McGee, PLS&TY, Lettuce, and Minnesota. Don’t miss the chance to experience Manic Focus’s genre-defying performance at Cascade Equinox.
5. Tara Brooks
Tara Brooks, a Southern California-born DJ and producer, is an act you won’t want to miss at Cascade Equinox. Known for her hypnotic, cerebral, and experimental sounds, Tara’s sets induce audiences into an altered state, leaving them craving more. With music deeply ingrained in her, Tara’s diverse influences range from soulful psychedelic house to groovy acid techno. Her focus on dynamic highs and lows, dancing drums, lush melodies, and enchanting atmospherics create a unique and unmistakably futuristic vibe. Having performed at renowned events like The BPM Festival, Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, and as a resident for Desert Hearts, Tara has gained international recognition.
Her EPs on John Digweed’s Bedrock label, including “Eunoia” and the chart-topping “Wake Me,” have garnered critical acclaim and worldwide exposure. With a rich tapestry of moods and soundscapes, Tara’s sets take listeners on an emotional journey, connecting with them in a deeply personal way, making her an unmissable act at Cascade Equinox.
6. Phyphr
Phyphr, the rising electro-soul artist known for his vibrant twist on electronic funk, soul, and blues, is a must-see act at Cascade Equinox. His unforgettable live performances blend live guitar, electronic elements, funky grooves, and catchy hooks, creating an unforgettable experience. Having opened for national acts like The Floozies, Manic Focus, Daily Bread, SoDown, Marvel Years, Maddy O’Neal, Jason Leech, Shooka, Cofresi, and Recycled Funk, Phyphr is no stranger to the stage. His recent performances at ReVibe Retreat and a New Year’s Eve Livestream by River Beats, where fans nominated him for Breakout Artist of the Year for 2020, make him an act you won’t want to miss at the festival.
7. Vincent Antone
Vincent Antone, an American producer and multi-instrumentalist based in Austin, TX, is a must-see act at Cascade Equinox Festival. With a passion for combining elements of dance music with various genres, his style spans Future Funk, Hip Hop, Future Bass, House, Trap, and more, offering something for everyone. In live performances, Vincent plays guitar and keys, accompanied by drummer Jose Gutierrez, delivering an electrifying show that engages the audience beyond dancing.
No stranger to festivals and clubs, he has performed at events such as Austin City Limits Festival, Kaaboo San Diego and Dallas, Wakarusa, and more, opening for artists like Pretty Lights, Steve Aoki, Gramatik, and RJD2. Catching his performance at Cascade Equinox Festival will undoubtedly be a memorable experience. In addition to his solo work, Vincent is also a member of the future funk group Resonant Frequency and rock and roll group Mamafesta.
8. Opiuo
Opiuo, the dynamic and award-winning producer also known as Oscar Davey-Wraight, is an unmissable act at this year’s Cascade Equinox Festival. Hailing from rural New Zealand and later making a name in Australia’s vibrant music scene, Opiuo has gained a massive fan base with his unique, funkadelic bass creations and ever-evolving live performances. From Melbourne’s gritty streets to the international stage, Opiuo continues to captivate audiences with his infectious energy and innovative sound.
Don’t miss the chance to experience Opiuo’s exhilarating performance at Cascade Equinox, where he’ll undoubtedly bring the party to new heights.
9. Mz. Worthy
Mz Worthy is a must-see act at Cascade Equinox, known for her boundary-pushing house music and deep intuitive understanding of production. With over two decades in the electronic music scene, Mz Worthy has released chart-topping tracks and a critically acclaimed debut album, “Disbehave.” Her journey in embracing her true self after coming out as transgender in 2020 has resonated with fans, and she invites audiences to join her on her self-discovery journey. As a veteran of some of the world’s largest music festivals, Mz Worthy knows how to cultivate intense positive energy and an energetic dance floor camaraderie, inviting her audience to embrace their true selves as well. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness Mz Worthy’s captivating performance at Cascade Equinox.
10. Josh Teed
Josh Teed, a 25-year-old producer and instrumentalist with over two decades of violin experience, is set to captivate audiences at Cascade Equinox with his groundbreaking fusion of electronic and instrumental music. His innovative style weaves soul-touching melodies with experimental sound design, creating a unique and unforgettable experience. Fans of artists such as Pretty Lights, Griz, FKJ, Liquid Stranger, Big Gigantic, Excision, Zeds Dead, Gramatik, RL Grime, Odesza, CloZee, Opiuo, and The Floozies will find themselves drawn to Josh Teed’s genre-defying performance, making him a must-see act at the festival.
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