Hard Summer goes down this weekend at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, and it has a more stacked lineup than ever. The event is sold out, and ravers everywhere are tweeting their excitement. But with so many options, how do you decide which acts to see?

Below are the five must-see acts for the weekend. Make sure to check back in with West Coast Sound on Monday for a full recap of the event. 
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What So Not; Credit: Courtesy of OWSLA

What So Not; Credit: Courtesy of OWSLA

What So Not
Saturday
Purple Tent
6:15-7:15 

Last summer, Flume urged his Facebook fans to “Forget Flume & go listen to What So Not.” The announcement didn’t make much of a splash then, but now the Australian DJ is a much bigger name, thanks to his remix of Lorde’s “Tennis Court” (which may in fact be the best remix ever). His three back-to-back shows at L.A.’s Club Nokia in August are all sold out. But not to worry: What So Not, his self-described “more club friendly project” with fellow Aussie Emoh Instead, will be making an appearance on Saturday.

The guys that call themselves Jack U (left: Skrillex, right: Diplo); Credit: Left: Star Foreman, Right: Lina Lecaro

The guys that call themselves Jack U (left: Skrillex, right: Diplo); Credit: Left: Star Foreman, Right: Lina Lecaro

Jack U
Saturday
HARD Stage
9:30-11:00

Jack U is HARD’s most surprising headliner. They’re still relatively unheard-of, so how did they get a mainstage slot? That’s a tough question until you realize just who Jack U is: the king of dub, Skrillex, and EDM juggernaut Diplo. The two have been performing together under the name Jack U since last summer, but this side project isn’t seen live anywhere but the Mad Decent Block Party tour and big festivals like Ultra, HARD, and Electric Zoo.  

Rudimental; Credit: Courtesy of Black Butter Records

Rudimental; Credit: Courtesy of Black Butter Records

Rudimental
Sunday
HARD Stage
3:10-4:10

Rudimental offers all the danceability of traditional U.K. drum ‘n’ bass with a twist: Their debut album Home (which went No. 1 in the U.K. last year when it was released) also fuses elements of pop, jazz, hip-hop, rock and house. With poppy, uplifting singles like “Feel the Love” and soulful tracks like “Free,” Rudimental is guaranteed to help you start off your second day of HARD with good vibes that will carry you through ‘til the end.
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The Chainsmokers; Credit: Courtesy of 4am

The Chainsmokers; Credit: Courtesy of 4am

The Chainsmokers
Sunday
HARDer Stage
4:25-5:25

Drew Taggart and Alex Pall are known for their incredibly popular “#selfie,” but that’s not where the talent of the duo making up The Chainsmokers lies. Don’t expect to hear a set full of “#selfie” reworks; these guys care more about creating enticing remixes of indie rock songs than playing a Valley girl voice over a beat. 

Nero; Credit: Courtesy of Interscope

Nero; Credit: Courtesy of Interscope

Nero
Sunday
HARDer Stage
9:40-10:55

In 2011, a trio called Nero released their debut album, Welcome Reality. In 2012, they re-released the same album with additional tracks, including a remix of “Promises” with Skrillex that went on to win a Grammy. Then Nero went silent. Until now, that is. Recently, the guys of Nero announced that their new album will finally be coming before the end of 2014. In the past two months the group has released a couple of singles, and we’re hoping they’ll debut more of their new work on the mainstage.  

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