WAAMfest set to bring bass to the lake

After selling out in its inaugural year, WAAMfest returns to Wayzata Beach to host another weekend of high-energy, techno-pop DJs on June 21-22. The two-day show features Swedish DJ and dance music producer Allesandro Lindbald, better known as Alesso, and Dillon Francis, also known as DJ Hanzel.

Lindbald and Francis follow last year’s performers, Steve Aoki and Gryffin. Aoki has finished as high as 7th in DJ Magazine’s Top 100 list, finishing in the top ten eight times. While Minnesota and Minneapolis in particular is sometimes known for its local live music, Wayzata and WAAMfest is showing an ability to draw international names.

Lindbald, who has received recognition for his skill in creating ‘emotional’ fusions of house and pop, has performed all over the world. Hailing from Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, he earned early fame in 2012 with collaborative hit “Calling (Losing My Mind)” with Swedish House Mafia’s Sebastian Ingrosso and OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder.

Another collaboration with OneRepublic, this time on “If I Lose Myself,” earned Lindbald a Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording in 2014. He’d continue working with big names, including country duo Florida Georgia Line, Usher, and Katy Perry, who he performed alongside at Saturday Night Live.

Francis, from Los Angeles, emerged in the house/techno scene around the same time as Lindbald. Francis He was integral in popularizing a fusion of reggaeton and house music called Moombahton.

Francis has made a name for himself in the Latin sphere, earning a Best Short Form Music Video nomination at the 2018 Latin Grammy awards.

Like Alesso and other big-name DJs, he’s worked with a host of different artists and voices. Francis has collaborated with American group Panic! At The Disco, Dutch musician Munchi, and English musician Flux Pavillion.

Other WAAMfest special guests are to be announced.

The event will be energetic, with deep bass, rhythmic pulsing, and a quick pace.