Today, Electric Forest (EF) officially announced the initial artist lineup for the eighth annual music and camping festival in Rothbury, Michigan on June 21–June 24 and June 28–July 1, 2018. View the complete list of announced artists set to perform the First Weekend and Second Weekend HERE.
For the 8th year in a row, Electric Forest welcomes back fan favorite The String Cheese Incident, performing two shows each weekend with the return of the SCI Sound Lab Live set featuring surprises and collaborations on the First Weekend, and EF’s famed SCI Saturday Night Shebang hosted on the Second Weekend. Also topping the bill on both weekends – BASSNECTAR, GRiZ Live Band, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and ZHU. Heavyweight Galantis will perform exclusively on the First Weekend. Marshmello will appear only on the Second Weekend. Additional artists are still to be announced.
Other acts announced today include: Lil Dicky, Jauz, Green Velvet, Washed Out, Keys N Krates on the First Weekend and Testpilot, REZZ, Datsik, SuperDuperKyle, and Get Real on the Second Weekend.
Chromeo, Bonobo (Live), The Glitch Mob, Louis The Child, and Xavier Rudd are among additional artists who will be performing both weekends, many of them promising unique shows so that no two experiences are alike. Fans can expect to hear some of the acts unplugged, with unusual collaborations and sit-ins, performing special themed sets, and more.
The first round of EF Curated Events were also announced today. Bassrush, This Ain't Bristol, Mr. Carmack presents Forward Thinkers, Green Velvet presents La La Land and other to be announced will host EF stages on the First Weekend. Bassrush returns for the Second Weekend, along with Mau5trap, Rüfüs & Friends, Desert Hearts and Soulection.
In addition to memorable musical performances, both weekends of EF2018 will celebrate what truly makes The Forest magic. Electric Forest's Plug In Program features opportunities for the community to participate in shaping the EF experience, including The Wish Machine, Electricology, Her Forest, and more. The Silent Disco, workshops and speakers, daily yoga, live art and immersive theater experiences throughout both weekends will offer adventure, exploration, and opportunities to more deeply connect with the unique energy of the Electric Forest and its community.
Today’s announcement comes after rumors of the festival’s 2018 artist lineup began to leak during an “Official 2018 Electric Forest Meet Up” event hosted at Necto Nightclub in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 12. Hints on social media to the Forest Family, including the first ever EF event page other than the festival itself and a boots-on-the-ground scavenger hunt to "Follow the Elephant. Find the Intergalactic Deity," led curious and adventurous fans to Necto. There, EF’s beloved art installation “Ellie” the elephant rested outside, far from its home in Rothbury, Michigan. Inside the venue, the free event offered a secret set by Space Jesus, and throughout the night, Forest character actors performed skits, comedy, and drag shows, while clever hints revealed artists on EF’s 2018 lineup. Mock concert posters hung inside the venue revealed Noname, Spag Heddy, Xavier Rudd and others. Bar menu specialty drinks “Vodka SoDown” revealed SoDown, while “Sexy Socialite” referenced a Chromeo song. Phone numbers painted in lipstick on the bathroom mirror directed callers to a voice message by 2018 performers RÜFÜS DU SOL and CloZee. On the toilet paper, a word scramble revealed Manic Focus. A projection mapping on the side of the venue displayed a word search that, when examined, revealed G Jones, Cookie Monsta, BUKU, Louis The Child, and more. In all – 24 of Electric Forest’s 160+ artists performing one or both weekends were leaked to attending fans, who spread the word on social media to their friends, followers and fellow Forest Family. See the social media chatter on Facebook and Reddit and watch the event recap video HERE.
The “Official 2018 Electric Forest Meet Up” event aligns with EF’s ongoing commitment to building and nurturing community by creating opportunities for Forest Family be part of the festival and to help shape the EF experience. In another demonstration of this spirit, the festival’s new fan participation initiative - The EF Wish Machine – encourages the Forest Family to spread positivity by granting wishes to Forest Family members in exchange for an act of human kindness. Follow the EF Wish Machine HERE.
Electric Forest recently released video created from footage captured during Electric Forest 2017. Watch the arresting visual art piece HERE.
Ticket Info:
Info on Wristband and Lodging Packages, including expanded 2018 Good Life Camping and Lodging options, can be found HERE.
