We predict the dance acts of 2009

The names set to get you shakin' your thing

United Kingdom | by Jamie Skey | 23 January 2009

As summer ebbs ever closer, the festival line-ups are beginning to take form. An array of big electronica names have already confirmed headlining, but we can still expect one or two surprises too. Here's who you'll be passing the water around to in a few months time…

The headliners:

Orbital
Famed for their torch glasses and expansive audio-visual shows, electronica pioneers Orbital are reforming for their first live show in five years. The Hartnoll brothers, who split in 2004 after establishing themselves as one of the most influential acts in dance music history, have confirmed a headline slot at The Big Chill. "It's not an exercise in nostalgia, the time just seems right," said Orbital's Phil Hartnoll, "everything just seemed to fall into place."
Last festival: Glastonbury 2004
Already confirmed for: The Big Chill
Might see them at: Glastonbury Festival

Basement Jaxx
If summer was a spirit, then Basement Jaxx would be its perfect mixer. These two elements first collided in the sultry months of 1999 and left an indelible mark on the commercial landscape. Fast forward a decade and the London duo prepare to put the tastiness back into festival line-ups. Their salsa-inflected sounds will be gracing the stages of Rock Ness, The Big Chill, Isle of Wight and Jersey Live. Expect wall to wall anthems, carnival-like theatrics and large beats galore.
Last festival: BalatonSound Music festival 2008
Already confirmed for: The Big Chill, Isle of Wight Festival, Jersey Live and Rock Ness.

The Prodigy
The Braintree bad-boys who grabbed techno by the throat and throttled it into the mainstream have returned. With a new album entitled 'Invaders Must Die' out in March, they look set to prove that they're still as vital as ever . They've been confirmed as headliners at Isle Of Wight and Rock Ness and VF towers have heard they'll be on their way to Reading and Leeds too.
Last festival: Jersey Live Music Festival 2008
Already confirmed for: Rock Ness
Might see them at: Reading and Leeds Festivals, Download

Likely to see everywhere:
 
Klaxons
2008 was such a quiet year for the nu-rave clique that you could be forgiven for thinking it had become completely extinct. However, the band who spear-headed it are back. With a 'difficult' second album coming soon and a shed-load of festival appearances in the pipeline, the Klaxons look set to revive the glow-stick waving phenomenon again. The indie-dance troupe will be virtually impossible to avoid this summer, but try your best.
Last festival: Reading and Leeds 2007
Might see them at: Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, V Festival, T in the Park, Isle of Wight, Bestival, Lovebox, O2 Wireless, Creamfields and Rock Ness.

Pendulum
Still riding high on the wave breaks of 2008, Pendulum will be playing yet more festivals this year. Obviously the success from last summer hasn't ended for the Aussie dance-rock fan boys and they will be sharing stage with alternative godfathers The Prodigy at this summer's Isle of Wight Festival. The crossover act have also been rumoured for Reading and Leeds - get ready for another moshtastic dance explosion.
Last appeared: Big Day Out 2009 (Perth)
Already confirmed for: Ultra Music Festival, Isle of Wight Festival
Maybe appearing at: Reading and Leeds

Filthy Dukes
Filthy Dukes are a product of the wired, weird and warped world of nocturnal London. The Dukes started life as DJ duo Tim Lawson and Olly Dixon, who spun their electro-acid-house-nu-rave-twisted-disco-punk-funk DJ sets for Mylo, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsytem and played stages at Glastonbury and Bestival. Their debut album, 'Nonsense In The Dark' is available as of February and will showcase a broad, sonic palette, set to make waves in the coming months.
Last Festival: EuroSonic Festival 2009
Already confirmed for: Snowbombing
Might see them at: Bestival, Glastonbury Festival, Global Gathering, The Big Chill

Justice
What? Another French duo interested in being enigmatic while pumping out hypnotic, minimalist abstracts with an electro house feel? That'll be Justice. Their biblically proportioned live shows and rock angst leanings have earned them a huge reputation over the last few years. Their last release, 'A Cross The Universe' is a great insight into what to expect from these crazy French dudes this summer: trademark crucifixes, loud distorted bass and pressure heavy synths.
Last festival: Reading Festival 2008
Might see them at: Reading And Leeds, Glastonbury

Emerging names:
 
Drums Of Death
Fear not his deathly make-up, for beneath it lies a meek, mild-mannered Scotsman named Colin. Mr. Bailey, AKA Drums Of Death has already ratcheted up a hardcore following with his grimey techno, having left last summers festival audiences breathless with his high-octane performances. He gained a lot of currency with his debut EP 'Drums Of Death Step Into The Ring' and is planning to release his first LP soon. In the tradition of Dr. Frankenstein, Drums will make the dance pits come aliiiiiiiiiive this year.
Last festival: Bestival 2008
Already confirmed for: Bloc Weekend
Might see them at: Bestival, Global Gathering

Fake Blood
You may know DJ/producer Fake Blood from his remixes of Armand Van Helden, The Kills, and Hot Chip, or you may never have heard of him. But you will. He is currently the genre's biggest puzzle-box. Wearing a mask 24/7, nobody knows his true identity. His most recent mixes which includes Herve And Sinden's 'Beeper' and UNKLE's amazing new single 'Restless' are probably two of his finest. He will be big this summer, so unmask the enigma of 2009 if you can.
Last festival: Parklife Adelaide 2008
Already confirmed for: Snowbombing
Might see him at: Creamfields, Global Gathering, Bestival

El Guincho
One man band, aka Pablo diaz-Reixa delivered our under-sunned isles with his brightly lit debut 'Alegranza', last October. His laptop captured melodies and bundle-of-fun loops proved to be a mixed tapas of styles. He is currently doing the festival rounds in Australia, drenching audiences with his club Tropicana rave vibes, proving it ain't just insects and bush-fires out there.
Last festival: Bestival 2008
Already confirmed for: St Jeromes Laneway
Might see him at: Bestival, The Big Chill, Lovebox

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