The Groove Cruise LA lineup is diverse this year with some big artists making their first GCLA appearance, several artists returning for a second GCLA tour after big performances last year, and some new artists that are looking to make a splash. Our staff has taken the time to preview some of the highlights of this year’s GLCA lineup. We will have more party info, previews, and artist interviews to come over the next few months, so stay tuned. We’ll make sure you’re prepared when you plan out your party schedule for the big weekend, and also so you have something to say when you run into these artists at the soft serve ice cream line at 3am!
MAKJ
Arguably the biggest addition to this year’s Groove Cruise, you can guarantee that Thursday’s Sail Away Pool Party will be packed to the brim when the “giraffe” begins his headlining set! One of the better stories to come out of the American EDM dance scene over the past few years, Mackenzie Johnson first gained traction from his incredibly well-produced mashups. Although born in the US he was a professional racecar driver at a young age, which took him all over the world, before realizing his true dream was to DJ. He came back to the US and enrolled in ICON Collective, a production school in LA, and even found a mentor in the late DJ AM.
At the young of 23 he’s already performed at the biggest festivals in the world including Ultra, TomorrowWorld and Coachella and has already finished two headlining tours across Europe and North America.
He released a slew of hits in 2013 including the single “Countdown” which he co-produced with Hardwell, that hit #1 on Beatport only 3 days after it was released! 2014 has already been a big year for MAKJ, starting off which his huge club banger “Let’s Get F*cked Up” featuring the resurgent Lil Jon. We expect nothing but great things from this budding superstar, so make sure you don’t miss that pool party!
(Tyler M.)
Hardwell & MAKJ – “Countdown”
SIDNEY SAMSON
If you’re not a new comer to the EDM scene, chances are you’ve heard of Dutch House DJ Sidney Samson. Starting at the age of 14, Samson hit the decks and never looked back. He was able to land himself a residency at The Matrixx, a major Dutch nightclub, where he focused on his production. In 2003 he released the track that introduced him to the world: ‘Sidney Samson-It’s all Funked Up”. The song gained traction and motivated him to focus even more on the production side, leading him to release a slew of hit singles over the years including ‘RIVERSIDE’, ‘Shut Up and Let Go’, ‘Wake Up Call’ (ft. Steve Aoki) & ‘Mutate’ (ft. Lil Jon).
His production success has been influencing top DJ’s set lists over the past decade and has allowed him to tour all over the world and perform at the biggest festivals, from EDC Las Vegas to Ultra in Miami.
Samson is known for having incredibly exciting and eclectic performances, even mixing in samples of rock songs, so be sure to catch his headlining set at Intervention SD! Even if you’re not familiar with his personal production, he always keeps his sets fresh and fun so don’t miss him.
(Tyler M.)
Sidney Sampson – “Riverside”
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MORGAN PAGE
A few years ago, Morgan Page might have been one of the best kept secrets of the LA house music scene. Fast forward to present day, however, and this guy is plastered all over bills for some of the largest music festivals in the world. Page’s knack for melody is truly unparalleled, and honestly gives producers like Avicii and Calvin Harris a run for their money, as he perfectly blends soaring, ethereal vocal tracks each with a rhythm that will have you humming along even though it’s the first time you’ve ever heard the song.
Page will be very familiar for those “Captains” returning for their second GCLA. He played an absolutely window shattering set at the Ensenada day party last year, turning the secret venue into a warehouse rave. Take note: Page’s performance will be among the best of Groove Cruise this year.
(Alex P.)
Morgan Page – “Body Work ft. Tegan and Sara”
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EC TWINS
EC Twins have been mainstays of the underground for years now, and have tirelessly bumped their remixes to those more in-the-know, eventually breaking out with mainstream success and now heading up their own recording label, TWIN TURBO. Additionally, they now hold a residency at the famed Marquee Las Vegas/New York.
Indeed, this dynamic duo embodies the leave-it-all-on-the-floor mentality, and considering that their single “Set The World On Fire” was selected as the official 2013 Groove Cruise Anthem, you can bet that they will be returning with one more reason to make sure they leave their mark on this event and its patrons. They also might be partying harder than anyone else on board, both during their set and after. Do you accept that challenge?
(Alex P.)
DEAN MASON, WILL SPARKS, ERICK MORILLO
Instead of picking one artist, we are going with the full lineup at the Dancing Astronaut stage- all of the guys should be at the top of your list. This party will be kicking off with a familiar name to the Groove Cruise – Dean Mason – a New York native who has inserted himself squarely in the LA EDM scene. Mason has shared the stage with the likes of legendary producers Chuckie and Paul Oakenfold, just to name a few, and will be setting the tone early in the day on Friday, just in time for you to dance off your hangover from the night before.
Next up will be Will Sparks, an Aussie whose electro remix of the Chainsmokers’ smash hit single “#Selfie” is getting heavy rotation on the dance circuit. Sparks’ penchant for the remix will be on full display, and you would be remiss not to stick around for this one.
Finally, the globe-trotting Erick Morillo, a Colombian-American who spent most of his formative years in Cartagena, will be bringing two decades-plus years of experience behind the decks (he started DJing at the ripe ol’ age of 11…yeah). Friday will go down hard; we can only hope that the party-hungry cruisers don’t rock the boat too much.
(Alex P.)
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Stay tuned to Rabbits Black for continuing coverage of everything Groove Cruise LA!
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