Steve Aoki and Cold War Kids will headline this year’s Dillo Day, Mayfest confirmed Tuesday. Aoki’s performance will mark the first time an electronic artist has closed Mayfest’s annual music festival, scheduled for May 26.
“For people that aren’t necessarily familiar with the genre, we feel that Aoki is a good introduction to EDM,” said Zach Robinson, Mayfest’s director of concerts. “We’re excited to see what he does for the show and we’re confident that he’s going to close the night off with a bang.”
Mayfest also announced this year’s day headliner will be indie group Cold War Kids.
“We chose them because they have a strong repertoire, are a big name and most importantly they fit the vibe of the day headliner we generally aim for,” Robinson said. “We’re looking forward to starting the day off and seeing people arrive at the Lakefill while Cold War Kids are playing.”
Rumors surrounding Aoki’s Dillo Day performance first surfaced after the DJ posted an Evanston tour date last month and continued on Monday when silhouettes of the artist were painted on sidewalks throughout campus. According to Robinson, Mayfest approached Aoki carefully, because last year their attempts to bring in an electronic headliner failed.
“In terms of electronic headlining, it was something we wanted to do last year that we didn’t really know how to approach,” Robinson said. “These artists are a different breed when it comes to booking them, and we weren’t as familiar with that. We’re happy to do it this year.”
Vivek Sudarsan, Mayfest’s co-director of promotions, said the organization tries to announce artists as soon as they can after contracts have been formalized.
“Legally, we announce when we can,” said Mayfest co-chair Janna Kaplan. “We like being able to announce well before Dillo Day, just in case people aren’t as familiar with the artist. That way they have a chance to become familiar.”
While a rap artist has yet to be announced, Robinson is confident students will react positively to upcoming lineup additions.
“We think that out of the past four years, this is not only the most diverse lineup, but the biggest change in format and in genres,” Robinson said. “We did a lot of experimenting but we think it’s really going to pay off.”