Global Dance Festival certainly lives up to its title. Celebrating dance music from all over the world–Australia, France, the UK and more–it’s an exciting annual opportunity to explore new artists and genres alike. Dance, electronic, house, techno, dub and everything else in-between, it’s one of the dance highlights at Red Rocks of every summer. Taking over the historic venue for three extravagant days, you can attend for all of them or grab yourself a single-day pass. Read on to learn more about the nightly headliners as well as some of the other exciting upcoming sets at the 2016 Global Dance Festival.

Friday, July 8

Knife Party

Knife Party is an Australian duo that mixes reggae beats, scientific voices (female and male alike) and heavy dub. The two are also known as the founders of Pendulum–the drum-n-bass group from Perth as well as their involvement in the metal group Xygen. Since, Knife Party has evolved their musical career, expanding into heavy electronica–even collaborating with Swedish House Mafia. Having such an impressive and diverse background, the duo are quite deservedly the Friday night headliner.

Boombox Cartel

Note – the audio above is a Boombox Cartel Remix of Cash Cash, another anticipated GDF 2016 artist 

This Mexico-born duo met in college in Minneapolis while studying music. Since then they have relocated to LA and though new in the electronic scene, have received praise from popular names like Skrillex and Diplo. Boombox Cartel has yet to officially release a full album, but having collaborated numerous times with Mad Decent and gaining a lot of steam, it’s sensible to expect something on the way soon.

Saturday, July 9

Paul Oakenfeld

Paul Oakenfold is one of the OG DJs playing this year at Global Dance Festival, having been DJing since 1979 at the age of 16. Though he creates a broad range of electronic music, he specializes in trance with eclectic voices and ambient background vocals. Pair that with some strings and you have something similar to Govinda. You probably know him for “Starry Eyed Surprise” with Shifty ShellShock and for toying with that tune from Requiem for a Dream, “Lux Aeterna.”

Above & Beyond

To be completely honest, I knew nothing about Above & Beyond before writing this. However, I’ve heard things–and nothing short of really great things. The British trance trio have been in the business for over a decade. Two of the members–Jono Grant and Paavo Siljamäki–met in college, created the Anjunabeats record label and soon after met their third member Tony McGuinness. Known for their remixes of songs by artists like Madonna and Radiohead, as well as their DJ sets and even acoustic albums, Above & Beyond have impressed quite a dedicated following.

Sunday, July 10

DJ Snake

Fun Fact – Josh Hutcherson stars in the DJ Snake video above – and can you spot the DJ Snake cameo?

Arguably the most anticipated set at Global Dance Festival this year is the final one of the three-day extravaganza–DJ Snake. New on the solo scene but easily taking it by storm, you often wonder where has he been this whole time? especially considering he only has a handful of songs released–and each one is a massive hit with phenomenal production value. Well, he’s been producing songs for and working with big names like Lady Gaga, Kanye West and of course, Major Lazer for years now. If you want to learn more about the French DJ and producer, you can find some fun facts here such as why he doesn’t smoke or drink and the cult film that inspired him to start making music.

 

Single-day and 3-day passes are on sale now. You can purchase tickets here