Wednesday, August 24 – Identity Festival
From Steve Aoki to Kaskade to Skrillex and the Chemical Brothers, Rockstar Energy drink’s massive EDM celebration is like the Winter Music Conference with a shorter drive. The organizers claim it’s the first-ever touring electronic festival, and whether that’s true or not, it certainly carries a big stick. Aoki recently told MTV that this would be his first time using a proper tour bus, and VIP packages include glow-in-the-dark glasses. Oh, and the legendary DJ Shadow will be there, too, hopefully with new tracks from his shrouded-in-mystery new album, The Less You Know, The Better, his first in five years. Consider our wallets opened. – Justin Strout (with Kaskade, Pretty Lights, Rusko, Steve Aoki, DJ Shadow, the Crystal Method, White Shadow, the Disco Biscuits, Chuckie and more; 1 p.m. at the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 Highway 301 N., Tampa; $55-$275; idfestival.com)
This article appears in Aug 24-30, 2011.