If there is one festival you do not want to miss on the circuit this season, it is without a doubt Wakarusa. The lineup is so stacked that it had to be announced in three separate phases, with STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, The String Cheese Incident, The Flaming Lips, and Bassnectar all as headliners. As if there was even a question of attending after the final phase of the lineup had been announced, folks planning the trip to Mulberry Mountain were thrilled the stage schedule ensured that they would see every single set that initially made them fall in love with the lineup.

Celebrating its tenth year last summer, Wakarusa certainly has made a name for itself. Even with the wacky weather that hit Ozark, Arkansas during the festival last year, it was still a success and many festivalgoers and artists are returning this year. Wakarusa is indeed a festival of its own kind due to the inclusion of all different genres and musical standings, from electronic acts to bluegrass bands, from well-known headliners to the Waka Winter DJ Classic Winners; there truly is something for everyone.

Wakarusa is held June 5-8 on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas. Other notable acts include Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Rusko, EOTO, Papadosio, The Floozies, Reignwolf, The Dirty Guv’nahs, Phutureprimitive, Random Rab, Wild Child, Space Capone, and many, many more.

We’ve made it easy for you by previewing ten “must-see” acts at Wakarusa 2014! Check them out below.

Check out TheBlueIndian.com’s coverage from previous years HERE.

Tickets for Wakarusa 2014 are available HERE

10. Funk You

Thursday, June 5 – 12:00-12:30pm @ Technaflora Revival Tent and Sunday, June 8 – 12:00-12:45pm @ Riverside Stage

Hailing from Augusta, Georgia, Funk You is quickly making a name for themselves. Not only was the six-piece jam-funk group chosen to represent Georgia for the Waka Winter Classic, but they also won the final round of the competition, which landed them an additional set at the Revival Tent.

Check out Funk You playing “Central Avenue” in their hometown this past April.

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9. D.V.S*

Thursday, June 5 – 4:30-5:30pm @ TheUntz.com Satellite Stage and Saturday, June 7 – 4:00-5:00pm @ Riverside Stage

D.V.S* is the stage name of Derek VanScoten, whose downtempo remixes caught the attention of many electronic music fans. His solo work granted him the rights to play and tour with the likes of Tycho, Emancipator, Lotus, and Tipper, just to name a few.

Take a listen to VanScoten’s chill remix of Odesza’s “Without You”.

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8. Govinda

Sunday, June 8 – 5:15-6:30am @ TheUntz.com Satellite Stage

Shane Madden, aka Govinda, classifies his music as “Gypsy Dubtronica” and this could not be more accurate. The combination of Madden’s classical background mixed with his intense curiosity of electronic music makes the perfect recipe for a global live music experience.

Here is Govinda’s “Universal On Switch” to give you a preview of his vibe.

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7. Dopapod

Thursday, June 5 – 12:45-1:45pm @ Technaflora Revival Tent

This five-piece jam band is so much more than just a jam band. RVA Magazine explains, “They are a jazz group with less wine and more acid. They are what would happen if Zappa, Yes, Deadmau5, and The Meters all sat down for a cup of coffee.” Dopapod continues to impress critics and gain fans due to their experimentation in live performances and letting anyone “name your own price” for their soundboards.

Check out their tune “Bats in the Cave”.

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6. ill-esha

Thursday, June 5 – 8:30-9:30pm @ TheUntz.com Satellite Stage

Not many may know this, but ill-esha started out as a vocalist and MC. She is not new to the festival scene and is coming off quite a high after opening for Bassnectar this past fall in select cities and then again for Bassnectar’s New Years Eve in Nashville, where she proved that she is a multi-talented artist.

Listen to ill-esha’s ambient, glitch-hop “Only Fair”.

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5. Poolside

Saturday, June 7 – 8:30-9:30pm @ TheUntz.com Satellite Stage (DJ set) and Sunday, June 8 – 6:45pm-8:15pm @ TheUntz.com Satellite Stage (Full band set)

Filip Nikolic and Jeffrey Paradise make a dynamic duo whose stage name embodies the vibe of their music wholly – this is truly the music that you want to listen to while poolside.

Here is their groovy “Do You Believe?”, which was the tune that first put these two on the map.

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4. Ott.

Saturday, June 7 – 2:00-3:15am @ TheUntz.com Satellite Stage

Reigning from England, Ott. puts on a live show like no other. His experimentation with electronic music has revered him as a true artist willing to push the limits. Ott. has demonstrated this by collaborating with artists such as Chris Barker and Simon Posford and by touring worldwide, playing clubs and festivals alike.

Check out this full live set from Terminal West in Atlanta.

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3. The Floozies

Saturday, June 7 – 2:30-4:00am @ Technaflora Revival Tent and Monday, June 9 – 12:30-2:00am @ TheUntz.com Satellite Stage

The Hill brothers blew away their audience last year at Wakarusa with their sunrise set. Mark and Matt work together to create the funky fresh feel that is The Floozies. They made a lasting impression on the festival circuit last year, then built momentum touring with Zoogma and Griz, and are now continuing to blow up, with many festival dates announced for this season as well.

Here’s a recap from The Floozies’ last summer featuring their very funky song “Love, Sex, and Fancy Things”.

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2. Dr. Dog

Friday, June 6 – 5:45-7:15pm @ Budweiser Main Stage

Forming in 1998, Dr. Dog is the anti-trend band that accidentally became trendy. The band first gained national notoriety touring with the likes of My Morning Jacket and M. Ward and did not stop there. Releasing albums quite frequently, the group’s latest effort, B-Room, was the product of the group building their own studio.

Listen to Dr. Dog’s Tiny Desk Concert from NPR here.

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1. Lettuce

Friday, June 6 – 4:00-5:15pm @ Budweiser Main Stage

Lettuce is the band all aspiring funk lords look up to. The eight, sometimes nine, member group oozes talent, showing that true musicianship can and will get you far. This spring, Lettuce made their Red Rocks debut opening for Gramatik.

Check out their tune “Do It Like You Do” performed live at The Brooklyn Bowl.

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