If you haven't been paying attention in the past decade or so, you might not have realized that dance music has moved way beyond shiny shirts and glowsticks. OK, those elements might still be there, but you're just as likely to see some bearded hipsters grooving along to the beats at your local club. The point is, it's all about the music, and the music has become as varied as its growing audience.
From IDM to Goa Trance, there's no longer any limit placed on this genre, and a number of artists are pushing the boundaries even further. Some of those artists will be featured during this weekend's Purenation at the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, billed as the Midwest's first global dance festival. For $75, you can catch 15 of the hottest acts in the world. But if you're still a little behind and need some help choosing, here's a handy guide to what you shouldn't miss this Saturday.
Junkie XL, 1 p.m. on the Main Stage
Remember in 2002 when that Elvis remix, "A Little Less Conversation," was played everywhere from Nike commercials to MTV? Bet you didn't know that Junkie XL was the culprit. Bet you also didn't know that he was the first person ever allowed to remix an Elvis song. The Dutch superstar has been known for crossing up genres for years, and this set promises to be no different; he'll provide all the action you can handle.
Dave Clarke, 4 p.m. on the Main Stage; 9 p.m. on the Second Stage
You have two chances to see this guy on Saturday, which is exactly two more than you've had in Chicago in the past seven years. The Dave Clarke simply does not tour in the U.S. The "Baron of Techno" gains plenty of fans just from his masterful mixes, though, and his blend of the hardcore and the cerebral has left them all in awe.
Telefon Tel Aviv, 4 p.m. on the Second Stage
If you missed this eclectic duo at the Wicker Park Summerfest earlier this summer, now's the time to atone. Sharing influences that range from classical to ambient and experimental techno, these New Orleans natives create mellow soundtracks to the world; that is, when they're not reinventing soul by layering impossibly beautiful vocals over melodic beats.
Bad Boy Bill, 5:30 p.m. on the Main Stage
This Chicago house DJ is known for his lightning-fast mixes, which often utilize as many as 50 records (compared to the 10 that most DJs use). His confrontational style owes much to his background in hip-hop, and somehow he's able to maintain a high level of energy over 150 sets a year. Forget the corny name—he's one of the best around.
Deep Dish, 7 p.m. on the Main Stage
This Iranian-American duo has pretty much mastered the remix. Just check out the list of who they've done work for: Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, Madonna (earning a Grammy nomination for "Music") and Dido (a Grammy win for "Thank You"). They've also received substantial acclaim for the Global Underground series, which has taken mood music across several continents. The D.C. DJs' original music is deep, dark and hypnotic, with swirling vocals and even some guitars thrown into the mix.
Purenation takes place at Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island (1300 S. Lynn White Dr.) on Saturday, September 2. For more information, visit http://www.purenationlive.com.
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