Grant Richard Kwiecinski, better known for his stage name GRiZ, is an artist who has supplanted his name in the world of EDM. Continually drawing in crowds from across the nation, he has headlined festivals from coast to coast, leaving fans craving more from the talented DJ. With the culmination of his funky yet powerful beats to his transformative performances, GRiZ continues to prove himself as an electronic force. As festival season comes to an end, here are my Top 5 GRiZ Festival Performances of 2022 thus far!
5. Lightning In A Bottle Music Festival – (Bakersfield, CA)
Headlining the Lightning stage at LIB, GRiZ began his set with a unique intro, a series of chimes and an eerie voice proclaiming, “reality is an illusion,” a statement that gripped the audience, leaving them riddled with goosebumps. Followed by a wonky bass drop and an electrifying beat, excitement flowed through the crowd, leaving everyone dancing the night away throughout the performance. He showcased his talent in extraordinary fashion, a truly amazing way to kick off the summer!
4. HARD Summer Music Festival – (San Bernardino, CA)
Last appearing at HARD Summer in 2015, GRiZ has since transformed his sound to incorporate a heavier style of dubstep with his classic groovy melody. Beginning his set, he unleashed thunderous bass with his Coolio x Lana Del Rey “Gangstas Paradise x Jealous Girl” remix, leaving the crowd headbanging while fire burned through the sky. Implementing aggressive drops with intricate mixes, GRiZ proved himself worthy of headlining a festival where only the hard survive.
3. Imagine Music Festival – (Rome, GA)
Starting as a smaller two-day downtown event, Imagine Music Festival has become Atlanta’s largest independent EDM camping festival. Making his fourth appearance at the event, GRiZ continues to satisfy the south. Commencing the set, GRiZ screamed “I’m feeling in a very chaotic mood so were about to f*** this s*** up man!” The crowd roared with excitement; an EDM army ready to do battle. The unique stage complimented the sound as GRiZ mixed a masterpiece, leaving fans in hearing disbelief. Headlining for a festival that prides itself on independence, GRiZ provided a performance that made imagination a reality.
2. Illfest Music Festival – (Austin, TX)
A smaller festival celebrating its 5th year anniversary, GRiZ had the opportunity to close out the weekend with some heat. Combining his classic hits with his newest material, the performance was perfectly designed with a setlist of jazzy familiarity and surprise, accompanied by a fantastic visual display that engulfed his fans as they witnessed the event. Delivering another sensational set, Illfest Music Festival ended on a high note thanks to GRiZ, who reminded everyone that funk isn’t merely a genre, it’s a state of mind.
1. Electric Forest Music Festival – (Rothbury, MI)
Given a heavy responsibility to headline a festival that hosts 45,000 individuals, during a year that recognized its 10th Anniversary, GRiZ executed an elite performance, separating it from all the rest. With a dramatic intro leading into heavy dubstep and his legendary saxophone riffs, he captivated his audience from start to finish. Fireworks and lasers illuminated the forest surrounding the stage, creating a breathtaking spectacle for all to witness. “This is the coolest place on the planet,” announced GRiZ, with tears running down his face, as he brought his set to a close. With rumors of residency scattered throughout the camp, fans dream of GRiZ securing a permanent spot at Electric Forest, the festival so many call home. Every aspect of this rendition has earned it its title as the pinnacle performance of the year.
Festival season may be coming to an end, but there is still time to catch GRiZ throw down!
Check out his upcoming events here: