Galantis ready to light up Firefly's stacked Saturday night
When looking at the 2017 Firefly Music Festival lineup it’s easy to get lost in the 140-plus deep list of performers. One duo, however, stands out – and they’re not even at the top of the ticket.
For fans looking to dance to catchy beats and shout melodies with thousands of their new friends, Galantis is one of Firefly's can't-miss acts this weekend.
The dance music-and-drumming duo pulled a prime spot on the busiest night of the festival: 9:45 p.m. Saturday, sandwiched between a set by legend Bob Dylan and reigning star boy of R&B and pop, The Weeknd.
Galantis, a collaboration between Miike Snow member Christian Karlsson and Linus Eklöw, debuted in 2012 and quickly launched to the No. 1 slot on the Billboard Dance album chart with tracks like “Runaway (U & I)”, “Peanut Butter Jelly” and “No Money.”
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At the Ultra Music Festival – the biggest electronic festival in the U.S. – their daytime, mainstage performance had the energy of Steve Aoki’s wild, afternoon set (which included the musician hurling sheet cakes at his thousands of dancing fans) at Firefly in 2015. Galantis’ live performances mix lights, dance music, a jellyfish-fox hybrid named Seafox and the duo’s trademark: live drumming from both of them.
Both Karlsson and Eklöw can jam to any beat – especially their own.
“We wanted to be able to take what we bring into the studio and bring it on stage,” said Karlsson. “We keep adding new drums to our show, and Linus is a really great drummer. It helps us be spontaneous.”
In Firefly’s inaugural year, 2012, you’d have to hit a late-night party in the campgrounds to hear much electronic dance music, or EDM. But in the years since, Delaware’s premier music festival has embraced all genres of music without leaving its indie rock roots. The introduction of the Pavilion Stage was a Firefly commitment to dance music that has helped keep festival goers energized through the late night hours.
The sixth edition of the Firefly will feature acts from all genres. Firefly alumni Twenty One Pilots and Weezer will rock the Woodlands. Chance the Rapper, Busta Rhymes, and Waka Flocka Flame will amp the crowd with their lyrics. And Galantis will lead a loaded electronic lineup featuring Dillon Francis, Benny Benassi, Matoma, Illenium, Slushii, Alan Walker and returning Firefly veterans, The White Panda.
The duo had one word to describe the lineup: huge.
Fans who’ve seen Galantis live know they’re in for a high-energy party in The Woodlands this Saturday.
“They were absolutely amazing,” said fan Jessica Byrne, who saw them at Ultra Music Festival and is ready for another show at Firefly. “They brought out their own instruments, and we got to watch them play live. It showed us how truly talented they are. I can’t wait to see them again.”
Firefly goers will likely hear a lot of new music, as the duo is already releasing songs from its upcoming album. They say there’s no set date for its release, but it should be soon as the new music is piling up.
What else should fans expect to see this Saturday? Seafox, the fox-jellyfish mash-up mascot of the group.
“She will be there, we take her everywhere. She’s been with us in the early days and she’s the heart of the project.”
She’s also all over Galantis fans' merch, from masks to flags.
There’s no doubt the guys put on a show. It’s a production. But they said they “always put the song first.”
“We love being songwriters, and working with melodies. We have the tools to make anything we want, so we focus on the vocals. We want the song to be strong and something that we love.”