These days it seems like we all gear up to see the same lineup at any fest across the world. Harsh, but true. Its tough to decide at first but as the summer goes by, it’s almost as if you can pay for the same LA experience mere miles from your house. Festivals have become so accessible to the point where all the lineups look almost identical providing the same headliners that everyone is apparently dying to see. As phases get posted, the anxiety will begin to hit because now you have to figure out where you should drop major stacks to see the same old show. The concept of festivals has become stagnant and repetitive, but there’s still hope.

Some festivals cater to specific trends such as Firefly the deemed ‘indie festival’ or Coachella the famous fashionable Cali dream or maybe even Electric Forest for the woodland rave for hippies and spirituals. As much as I hate to stereotype these massive events…. at times it can seem like all of these fests have to offer is just fields to do your drugs in, or MAYBE some cool installations to stare at. The iconic brand behind the Moog synthesizer has something very different.

Moogfest provides a completely unique experience. Their hybrid event boasts workshops, master classes (WHERE YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN SYNTHESIZER), groundbreaking short films, all while watch an eclectic blend of electronic acts take the stage. As cliche as it sounds Moogfest is one of dance’s best kept secrects.

This year, Moogest dropped Grimes, ODESZA, Miike Snow, Reggie Watts, Blood Orange, Gary Numan and Explosions in the Sky as their top headliners.

What makes Moogfest stand out is not just their eclectic lineups but the amount of female producers that are being featured. Empress of, Qrion, Gwenno, Juliana Huxtable, and Quintron and Miss Pussycat are just a few that join Grimes in paving the way for women in this industry.

If that doesn’t make you want to go than consider the alternatives. How many festivals can you think of that provide educational panels or offer classes about mixing and producing? Moogfest is not just providing underground and commercial artists for listening but creating an actual subculture by introducing a variety of genres within the spectrum of electronic. There’s more to electronic than dubstep and big ‘ol drops. Its ambient, future soul, chillwave, industrial, techno, house, garage or alternative dance. If you want a festival event that will expand your electronic horizons, Moogfest is it.

This year Moogfest will be in Durham, NC from May 19-22. Before you pass on this one check out Empress of or Qrion the 21 years old producer from Sapporo, Japan. If I can’t convince you her sounds surely will.