Think of Vegas and you think of top-notch food, over-the-top drinks, and entertainment unlike any other. And for dance music lovers, Las Vegas truly is the mecca.
From dubstep to house to underground techno, Sin City has it all, you just need to know where to look.
But for just as many mainstream headliners that are plastered across billboards on the strip, AREA15 has its own buffet of innovative and creative performers ready to show just how versatile electronic music can be.
Here are three upcoming artists you should know that are pushing the boundaries at AREA15:
J. Worra
This addictive house producer hails from Chicago but now lives in LA and combines the classic roots of house with the new-school creativity of the California music hub. Known best for her undeniable swagger and ability to get a crowd moving, J. Worra is a certified party starter.
Jamie Sitter (J. Worra’s real name) began her music career after she noticed the lack of female representation at a local music festival in her hometown and decided to join the scene ready to take over.
She told Gray Area, “I went to a festival early in my life and saw no women on the lineup at all. I had to give it my best to join this world and try and flip that. Now there are so many of us doing our best…When I started it was desolate for females but we’re seeing a big surge now. Men are paying more attention, and women are trying harder to help one another out.”
Now Sitter is an advocate for women in the scene as well as LGBTQ+ youth, a community she identifies with, and supports local charities and animal rescues.
Jessica Audiffred
One of the heaviest new bass artists to come on the scene, already being noticed by Bassrush and Lost Lands, is Mexican-born artist Jessica Audiffred.
Audiffred’s signature blend of bass and trap is a monster in the United States, but it was difficult to break through in Mexico.
She told Forbes, “When I was beginning to produce music, it was so hard for me because I didn’t have it anywhere. I didn’t have any spots for me to play my music here in Mexico City. It was hard for you to produce but then not showcase your own music. That’s why we had to create our own events and festivals, and that’s where we are right now.”
Breaking the mold and carving her name in the bass scene has already garnered Audiffred plenty of dedicated fans who appreciate her brand of authentic production both in her home of Mexico and right here in the States.
Now she’s joining giants like Excision on tour, selling out venues with Riot Ten, and releasing viral tracks that have the headbangers in a neck brace.
Ann Clue
Fans of Boris Brejcha and German techno should know the name Ann Clue.
A musician at heart, Clue’s balance of both the light and dark elements of German techno brings a pure and genuine underground sound that’s rare to hear outside of Europe.
Her passion for the underground goes even further, telling Dancing Astronaut, “I think it’s because Germans have a dark soul and history and we tend to compensate a lot in hidden spaces – where we can lose control and let go of all the darkness.”
She continued, “I think that’s what you feel with techno – especially the type that has its highest peak now. It’s dark, rough, fast-paced, hard, and chaotic. This underground culture shows the darkest side of our souls and nature, which needs to be embraced like the bright side, but we are often afraid to show it or let it come through. Humans often think they have to hide their dark side because it’s not so pretty. But the whole world is about Yin and Yang – the Yin (dark) side needs a lot more attention in order to let go of fear and anxiety. And to see the beauty in it. ”
This understanding of the true culture that makes dark sounds so intriguing makes for an immersive experience unlike any other.
Grab tickets to these industry-shaking performers’ shows at AREA15 here.
