Glow-stick gala: A guide
Head to Grand Beach for a 72-hour party at the Serendipity Music Festival
Anthony Augustine

If you want to end the summer festival season in style you might want to think about heading out to Grand Beach for the third annual Serendipity Music Festival.

Boasting a huge lineup of electronic, hip hop, reggae, dance and funk acts, this weekend jamboree is an ambitious collection of cutting-edge music and performers.

A host of artists will be taking the stage over the weekend, but here’s a list of 12 acts that’ll stand out in the crowd:

John Rolodex — Sept. 1, 9:30 p.m., Mainstage (johnrolodex.com) — Over the past few years Edmonton’s John Rolodex has quietly emerged as one of Canada’s premiere drum ’n’ bass producers and DJs. Riding the success of a couple of high-profile 12-inch singles and his recently released Fuck the System mix, Rolodex is appearing in Manitoba for the first time.

Deko-ze — Sept. 1, 11 p.m., Mainstage (www.deko-ze.com) — He was one of Western Canada’s most popular DJs before he relocated to Toronto in the late ’90s, and Saskatoon native Michael (Deko-ze) Babb has consistently rocked Winnipeg crowds with his flawless mixing, unmatched track selection and unrelenting energy. Unafraid to veer between roof-shaking house, pulsing trance and smooth, melodic techno, Deko-ze promises to drop a set that should be one of the highlights of the weekend. Deko-ze is touring in support of his recently released debut mix CD Delicious, and this will likely be his last performance in the province this year.

Ill-Esha — Sept. 1, 7:30 a.m., Mainstage (ill-esha.com) — There aren’t many drum ’n’ bass acts that can boast sounds as smooth as those of Vancouver’s Ill-Esha. Closing out the first night of performances on the Mainstage, Ill-Esha will provide free-flowing beats and velvety vocals as a perfect end to Day 1.

The Nancy Ray-Guns — Sept. 2, 9:30 p.m., Mainstage (www.thenancyray-guns.com) — While Bomber kicker Troy Westwood thinks everyone from Saskatchewan is a “banjo-pickin’ inbred,” Regina funksters The Nancy Ray-Guns are out to prove otherwise. Dealing out a heavy dose of groovy bass lines, punchy trumpets and quick-handed percussion, this six-piece will serve up distinct flatland funk that shouldn’t be missed.

Lazerblade — Sept. 2, 9:45 p.m., Mainstage (lazerblade.ca) — Part of a strong Saturday lineup of live acts, Lazerblade is a six-piece rocktronica outfit from Saskatoon, and it’s making its first appearance in Winnipeg. A wonderfully weird fusion of understated guitars, wobbly synths and nimble percussion, Lazerblade can kick out a multimedia-driven live performance that quickly wins over new fans.

Hatiras — Sept. 2, 12:30 a.m., Mainstage (www.myspace.com/hatiras) — Disco may be dead, but don’t tell that to Toronto’s Hatiras. Known for his party-proven house, Hatiras recently won a Juno for his track Spanish Fly, but that hasn’t stopped him from stepping behind the decks to dish out sparkling, diamond-studded, disco-influenced beats. If you’re a fan of Bad Boy Bill or DJ Dan’s hands-in-the-air style, you won’t want to miss Hatiras’ headlining mainstage set.

DJ Exotec — Sept. 2, 5 a.m., Mainstage (www.djxotec.com) — Based out of Buffalo, Christopher Moody, aka DJ Exotec, has made a number of appearances in Winnipeg at Harmonic Elements’ events over the past few years. Featuring tough, ass-shaking underground rhythms, DJ Xotec’s dense, sample-heavy style takes the best elements of Chicago house, Detroit ghetto-tech and Miami bass and heads into uncharted waters.

DJ Cain w/Dav Dub-L & John Smith — Sept. 3, 11 p.m. a.m., Stage 2 (www.myspace.com /djcain204) — Former Winnipegger DJ Cain is reuniting with partners in MC crime Dav Dub-L & John Smith for a Herbs & Crumbs reunion that should keep the second stage packed with drum ’n’ bass fans while Lady Miss Kier does her Dee-Lite thing on the Mainstage.

D:Fuse — Sept. 3, 2 a.m., Mainstage (www.djdfuse.com) — While a number of DJs are abandoning the traditional two-turntable-and-mixer setup in order to incorporate other elements into their performances, D:Fuse’s addition of live percussion using a Roland digital drum kit is somewhat unique. The Texas native’s big-system progressive trance and live digital drums should sound extra sweet under the stars at the Grand Beach Entertainment Centre

Jeff Galaxy — Sept. 3, 4:30 a.m., Stage 2 (www.myspace.com/jeffgalaxy) — Fresh from his epic closing performance at the 11th annual Connect Festival in Saskatchewan, Regina favourite Jeff Galaxy serves up a genre-bending blend of progressive tribal rhythms and trippy techno soundscapes tailor-made for this type of outdoor festival.

Lady Miss Kier — Sept. 3, 7 p.m. (DJ Set); 11:15 p.m. (Dee-Lite); both performances on the Mainstage (www.ladykier.com) — Although it’s been 16 years since the release of Dee-Lite’s massive smash hit Groove Is in the Heart, the seminal song hasn’t lost any of its lustre or danceability. It’s still one of the best dance tracks released in the last two decades, and it’s great to see former Dee-Lite frontwoman Lady Miss Kier making her first appearance in Manitoba to perform a short set of classic Dee-Lite cuts (complete with two dancers) and spend some time behind the decks spinning vintage disco and soulful funk.

Electric Skychurch — Sept. 3, 12:15 a.m., Mainstage (www.skychurch.com) — It’s been eight years since James Lumb and his Electric Skychurch project performed in Manitoba. Although his studio output has slowed down in recent years due to a number of lineup changes, the skilled producer still regularly hits the road to debut new studio material and revisit his time-tested back catalogue of ethereal trance and slow-simmering rhythms. Although Lumb’s revolving-door policy with bandmates may have delayed the release of his new album it hasn’t affected the quality of the music.

Locals to watch for
Sept. 1 — Corbett (electro) 8 p.m., Stage 2; Sisk, Zan and Gabe Reality (techno/electro/house), 1 a.m., Stage 2.
Sept. 2 — DJ Hunnicutt (reggae), 1 p.m., Mainstage; DJ Co-op (hip hop/funk), 3 p.m., Mainstage; JNL (filter house), 8 p.m., Stage 2.
Sept. 3 — JFK & the Conspirators (ska/reggae), 2-3 p.m., Mainstage; Peanuts & Corn Revue (hip hop), 3 p.m., Mainstage; Layborne, Suz and Oxide (minimal techno/house), 7 p.m., Stage 3; Ryan G (deep house), 8 p.m., Stage 2; Moses Mayes (funk fusion), 9:45 p.m., Mainstage.