Action Bronson

In 2010 Diplo’s Mad Decent label took its annual Block Party national—previously held only in Philly (Diplo’s adopted hometown), it branched out with installments in Chicago and a few other cities, where Mad Decent-signed and Mad Decent-approved acts slung the latest in forward-looking EDM and hip-hop at what looked sort of like small-town carnivals swarmed by streetwear-clad hipsters. This year the party takes place Sat 8/18 on Fulton between Ashland and Justine, and once again it’s free with RSVP. As usual the acts on the bill represent a broad range of sounds—electro-pop, hip-hop, niche EDM styles such as moombahton and tribal guachero—united by the fact that they’re all at the forefront of musical fashion. Which isn’t to say that the artists in question are mere trend chasers—Mad Decent’s a proven incubator for talent that’s responsible for some of the most revolutionary advances in recent pop history.

After the jump, the day’s schedule, headliner first—and I recommend the acts that are worth giving up your turn at the dunk tank.