Top 10 Must-See Artists Aboard Friendship 2024

Connor Phillips | November 09, 2023

Join us on Friendship 2024, where the Caribbean waves echo with the beats of Skrillex, Chris Lake, and more. Destructo's curated lineup promises a transformative journey, blending established legends and emerging stars.

From the afro-house vibes of Sun-El Musician to the groundbreaking sounds of Mersiv's latest album, Out of Bounds, this cruise sets sail on January 6th, 2024, offering a picturesque voyage with a 24-hour island party in Belize.

Don't miss this chance to be part of a global celebration, where the universal language of music unites fans and friends alike! To shed light on this musical talent, we have counted down the top 10 can't-miss artists on Friendship's upcoming roster.

Check out iEDM's Top 10 Must-See Artists Aboard Friendship 2024 below.

10) Italobros

Hailing from a village in southern Italy, Scalea (Calabria), the dynamic duo ItaloBros have been on a long-lasting musical journey. With a passion for exploration, they constantly seek new goals and stimuli, experimenting with diverse musical languages.

Eclectic, creative, and always inquisitive, they defy conventional genre categorizations, blending their “old school” roots with techno and Deep influences. Their unique style exudes adrenaline and passion, inviting listeners to dream. ItaloBros' strength lies in their unwavering determination. This pair of house technicians are a must-see aboard Friendship.

9) Rusko

Rusko A decade ago, Rusko commanded the world to wake up, igniting a transformation in the UK bass sound that resonates to this day. The Leeds College of Music graduate and UK-born DJ-producer hybrid spearheaded dubstep's global ascent, turning it from an underground London genre into an international phenomenon.

With influential works like the genre-defining “Cockney Thug” and the collaborative FabricLive.37 album with Caspa, Rusko has played a pivotal role in popularizing dubstep's iconic wobble. His versatility shines in solo projects, collaborations with legends like Cypress Hill, and productions for M.I.A.

Rusko, a beacon in bass music's sea, remains on the cutting edge, ensuring the world stays wide awake for what's next. Speaking of sea, make sure to check drop bangers across the decks of the Norwegian Joy.

8) Chris Lorenzo

Pioneering a globally recognized sound, Chris Lorenzo's ascent to the forefront of house is a remarkable success story in electronic music.

In 2022, he achieved career highs with festival debuts at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Rock in Rio, coupled with a sold-out ‘Places & Faces’ headline tour across 12 North American cities. Key releases like “California Dreamin'” and the groundbreaking single “MAMI” with COBRAH, launching his Late Checkout label, earned widespread acclaim.

This year, Lorenzo has headlined Monster Energy’s Up & Up Festival, debuted at Electric Forest and HARD Summer, and returned to EDC Vegas.

As one half of Anti Up, a collaboration with Chris Lake under Atlantic Records, this UK-born, LA-based artist continues to redefine boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide with his signature fusion of bass hosue and tech house.

7) Skrillex

Skrillex, also known as Sonny Moore, despite not needing an introduction, is an acclaimed record producer, DJ, singer, and songwriter from Los Angeles. With 8 Grammy Awards to his name, he's been recognized as MTV's Electronic Dance Music Artist of the Year.

Beginning as a skateboarding teenager, he joined the post-hardcore band From First To Last in 2004 as the lead singer before launching his solo career at just 19. Skrillex's career took off in 2010 with the release of “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” earning Grammys and sold-out shows worldwide.

He's collaborated with artists like Justin Bieber, Kanye West, and more. His label, OWSLA, has nurtured talents like Marshmello and Zedd. Skrillex's ongoing work promises to reshape the music landscape.

This year, Skrillex has continued to open new doors and bend the rules of dance music through his albums, Don't Get Too Close and Quest For Fire. He recently joined forces with Lil Baby and Flowdan to forge the breathtaking bass-fueled heater “Pepper”.

6) Desert Hearts

Over the past decade, the Desert Hearts Family has found itself at the center of a dusty movement, fostering intimate experiences of sonic joy and unbounded love across the globe. Part boutique festival, part record label, and part globetrotting party brigade, this ragtag crew of dreamers has emerged as a vibe-focused force radiating a conscious ethos of House, Techno and Love.

The beating heart of Desert Hearts is its founding fathers. A suitably colorful cast of characters, who fell into each other's lives skating and surfing around the beaches of San Diego. Led by top hat sporting label boss Mikey Lion, the core crew is rounded out by ex-pro BMX legend turned DJ, Lee Reynolds, the artistic backbone of the crew, Marbs, Mikey’s younger brother & absolute madman, Porkchop, and renegade visionary Kristoff McKay.

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5) Bob Moses

Emerging from the Brooklyn underground scene in 2012, Bob Moses, the duo of Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance, has evolved into a powerhouse. After early releases on Scissor & Thread, they signed with Domino, leading to their debut album, Days Gone By, in late 2015.

Melding guitar licks, moody smolder, and dance-floor ambience with deep lyrics, their sound resonates across clubs and rock scenes. Renowned for their live performances, relentless global touring, and accolades like Resident Advisor’s Best Live Act, Bob Moses has conquered major festivals and earned Grammy recognition.

Their latest single “Round & Round” is an absolute deep house weapon. Get ready for a breathtaking performance from this gifted pair when they play at Friendship.

4) Meduso

Meduso Dive into the captivating realm of Meduso, an influential producer and designer based in Los Angeles. Fusing contemporary bass with progressive rock influences from Tool and Deftones, Meduso has left an indelible mark on modern bass music.

His debut album, Yugen, introduced an immersive A/V 360 VR Experience in 2020, showcasing his multifaceted talent. Beyond music, Meduso, an adept designer at Adidas, shapes the visual aesthetics of his project.

With an education in industrial/product design, he crafts comprehensive audiovisual experiences. Featured in LA Weekly and SPIN, Meduso's work has garnered playlist support from Liquid Stranger, Wubaholics, and Zeds Dead.

A festival favorite, Meduso's performances at events like Okeechobee Music Festival and Imagine Music Festival underscore his expanding prominence in the music scene. Witness another stage in his meteoric rise during Friendship.

Book your tickets for Friendship 2024!

3) Destructo

Gary Richards, also known as Destructo, is a transformative figure in electronic music. Growing up surrounded by the industry, his early exposure to concerts shaped his passion. By 18, he was DJing and booking shows in Los Angeles.

Richards pioneered the '90s warehouse scene with events like “The Sermon” and the iconic “Electric Daisy Carnival,” now a global phenomenon. A&R duties for Def American Recordings followed, establishing Nitrus Records and 1500 Records.

As Destructo, he channels aggressive techno, releasing hits like “Higher”. Richards also founded HARD Events, a major player in EDM promotion. In 2017, he joined LiveStyle, solidifying his impact on electronic music's evolution.

Most importantly, Destructo is the brilliant mind behind Friendship. He will present his signature Sunrise Sermon on the island stop at Harvest Caye, the first time-ever for one of his sailings. A cherished tradition of the cruise, the Sunrise Sermon draws in everyone for a unified musical celebration led by Destructo, accompanied by live acts and surprise collaborations.

2) Chris Lake

Chris Lake, the UK-born, LA-based house music luminary is known for his enduring career, Navigating challenges and reinvention, he has crafted a distinctive sound, influencing a variety of genres.

As the mentor and label boss of Black Book Records, celebrating its 50th release, Lake guides rising talents beyond music, offering career advice. He has played a pivotal role in the success of household dance music acts like FISHER.

Lake's latest singles of, “Beggin'” and “More Baby,” showcases his perfectionism and continual pursuit of excellence. Check them out below, as he will most likely be ripping them live during his Friendship set.

1) Mersiv

Mersiv Anderson Gallegos, the man behind Mersiv, recently unveiled his second album, Out Of Bounds, on Morflo Records, marking a significant return since his acclaimed Pretty Dark Loud LP.

Mersiv has proved to be a trailblazer in electronic music, crafting the unique style to evoke emotion and vitality. As the head curator of MorFlo Records, Mersiv aims to bring therapeutic energy to listeners and showcase artists exploring the flow through art.

Collaborating with talents like Wreckno, PROBCAUSE, Saint Sinner, HEYZ, and INZO, Mersiv's sonic palette continues to evolve in this new compilation. The album's front half bursts with energy, featuring hip-hop-infused tracks and dancefloor anthems. The latter half explores psychedelic downtempo vibes.

Nothing is more incredible than experiencing this amazing new project from Mersiv live, making in the #1 must-see artist aboard Friendship 2024. Stay tuned for a musical journey that transcends boundaries.