Courtesy
Lovefoxxx of the group CSS will perform with her band at the Pastel Project.
Friday, March 23, 2012 | 3:31 a.m.
Between Neon Reverb and the new Pastel Project, Las Vegans have more than 100 acts to choose from at this weekend's music festival offerings. Artists range from local up-and-comers to seasoned indie favorites; from acoustic folk groups to raucous DJs who give Strip headliners a run for their money. It's enough to make even the most music savvy dizzy trying to figure it out.
But if you don't know where to start, or are just curious about the lineup, we've picked out the three choicest acts from each festival, each of whom bring something different to the table. Ahead of today and Saturday's lineups, here's a guide to the six must-see bands of Neon Reverb and the Pastel Project.
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Brazil's CSS plays the Pastel Project on Saturday, March 24, 2012.
The party band: CSS
Where: The Pastel Project -- outside festival stage
When: Saturday, 11 p.m.
Why: Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, this fierce ensemble promises to be the best dance party of the weekend. CSS, whose name stands for "cansei de ser sexy" or "tired of being sexy" in Portuguese (quoting a lament by Beyonce), play a high-energy infusion of punk, reggae and electro. The group is led by firecracker lead singer Lovefoxxx, who you can expect to see writhing around onstage in anything from booty shorts to a tie-dye bodysuit to a Batman costume. Bring your best friends and maybe a can of Red Bull.
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HEALTH will play the Pastel Project on Saturday, March 24, 2012.
The headbangers: HEALTH
Where: The Pastel Project -- outside festival stage
When: Saturday, 7:15 p.m.
Why: For those who are wary of the festivals' dance-y DJs and upbeat indie bands, go see L.A. quintet HEALTH. Their brand of experimental noise-rock lays on the bass and reverb nice and thick and is heavy on metal-infused rhythms for you to bang your head. Their stage-stomping performances are a spectacle to behold and often participate in; you might want to bring earplugs.
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Classixx will play the Pastel Project on Friday, March 23, 2012.
The DJs: Classixx
Where: The Pastel Project -- outside festival stage
When: Friday, 9:30 p.m.
Why: Consider this DJ-producer duo your EDM alternative -- solid electronic dance beats free from any rave-y cliches. While there are quite a few great acts at the festivals who fit that description (Chromatics and Glass Candy are two of them), Classixx is one of the few who promise to actually spin. If you haven't heard their original tracks, you've probably heard one of the many artists they've remixed, including Major Lazer, Phoenix and Neon Reverb headliner YACHT.
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Crystal Antlers will play Neon Reverb on Friday, March 23, 2012.
The band to take your date to: Crystal Antlers
Where: Neon Reverb -- the Bunkhouse Saloon (outside)
When: Friday, 12:30 a.m.
Why: "Visceral" is the best way to describe the music made by this Long Beach, Calif.-based quintet. Their psychedelic indie rock manages to be at once dreamy and raw; combined with lead singer Jonny Bell's yearning vocals, their sound is all emotion and always uplifting. It's the perfect set to help bring you and someone special closer together without dipping into sentimental love song territory.
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VHS or Beta will play Neon Reverb on Saturday, March 24, 2012.
The band to dance to: VHS or Beta
Where: Neon Reverb -- the Junkyard
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Why: Ever wonder what Duran Duran would sound like if you gave them leather motorcycle jackets and contemporary electro equipment and locked them inside a dark, sexy club? Find out Saturday night.
VHS or Beta - Breaking Bones (NSFW)
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Kid Meets Cougar will play Neon Reverb on Saturday, March 24, 2012.
The locals: Kid Meets Cougar
Where: Neon Reverb -- the Junkyard
When: Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
Why: Performances by multitasking, multi-instrumentalists Brett Bolton and Courtney Carroll have always been a sight to behold and even more so now that they're wielding a new $6,000 projector to play videos by local filmmakers during their set. After a 16-month performing hiatus, they've also returned with a new EP, Sierra Papa Tango. Expect a sensory overload Saturday night, when they'll be showcasing the new sights and sounds along with the usual indie-pop goodness locals have come to expect from the band.
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