The largest annual electronic dance event in Colorado is turning ten this year, and the Triad Dragons plan to throw one hell of a party in its’ honor. Global Dance Festival transforms the Red Rocks Amplitheater in Morrison, CO into a three stage extravaganza featuring the best production, lineup, and location that Colorado sees all year. GDF uses each night as a platform to highlight the diversity within the electronic dance music (EDM) genre. And the artist selection could not be better this year.
The festival will open at 5pm on Friday and the party won’t stop until the clock strikes midnight on Sunday. Before the gates even open, Red Rocks will be alive, with the parking lots hosting over 10,000 tailgaters and party goers. Red Rocks offers free parking for its’ attendees and also still allows for the act of tailgating. Now if you have never been to Red Rocks before, we advise you to head there early and take in the sights and sounds of South Lot. Perhaps the biggest party happens before the show even begins, with the lots filling by early afternoon.
Friday opens the festival off with acts showcasing the best of house, electro, and everything in between. Headlining the night will be soon to be ex-SHM member Steve Angello. Steve was ranked #23 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 last year and also operates the hugely sucessful Size Records label. Also headlining Friday is Knife Party (made up of Swire and McGrillen of Pendulum), who are making their Colorado debut as they continue to have a break out year. Other acts to catch on Friday include Hardwell, Felix Cartal, Krewella, 3LAU, Harvard Bass, Ecotek, James Egbert, Jontron, and Dragon.
Saturday brings the powerhouse trio that is Above and Beyond to the Rocky Mountains. Ranked in the Top 5 for the past few years and currently taking the world by storm with their Group Therapy tour this will be the biggest act over the weekend. A MMIBTY favorite, Wolfgang Gartner, makes his triumphant return to Colorado after terrorizing the state with over three stops here in 2011. The rest of the lineup is somewhat all over the place with Mord Fustang bringing insane electro house and a likely on stage collaboration with Morgan Page and Nadia Ali. Other acts to catch include Dave Aude, Manufactured Superstars, EC Twins, Joman, and Hycloud.
The bass invasion occurs Sunday with co-headliners Excision and Zed’s Dead dropping heavy tunes all night long. Excision was just in Colorado it seems as he took over the Ogden Theater for an entire weekend while Zed’s Dead will bring along EP mate Omar Linx to crush Colorado once again. Dillon Francis will be teaching moombahton madness while acts like Adventure Club, 12th Planet, Kill the Noise, Figure, and Crizzly will continue the bass onslaught throught the evening.
The festival is offering both 3 Day and single day ticket as well as a VIP upgrade for each day that includes access to the first ten rows of each stage. Tickets can be found on Ticketmaster or at select retail locations all along the front range (LIST). Tickets are moving fast so be sure to pick yours up soon.
The set times can be found after the jump along with all of the need to know information regarding Global Dance Festival 2012.
Global Dance Festival: July 20 – 22, 2012
Official Website | Facebook | Triad Dragons
Official Ticket Outlet: Ticketmaster
