Fete de Marquette electronic stage to feature Francois K, Claude Young

Several esteemed international DJ/producers join a slate of local and regional acts on July 10 and 11. (Photo: Francois K. Photo by Laurent Villarem.)

As we noted last year, the east side’s La Fete de Marquette, returning to Central Park July 9 through 12, has in recent years embraced electronic music in an ambitious way. Rather than feeling like an afterthought to the Fete’s characteristic lineup of French, Americana, Cajun and African music, the Musique Electronique tent has taken on its own identity, with featured artists also playing separate late-night shows at the High Noon Saloon. Last year the Fete marked a high point by booking septuagenarian Indian synth innovator Charanjit Singh for one of his first-ever shows in the United States.

This year’s gets are almost as big. Detroit-born and currently Portland-based DJ and producer Claude Young, whose production work combines a solid grasp of his hometown’s techno history with an adventurous, genre-agnostic spirit, will headline the Fete’s electronic tent on Friday, July 10, then play an extended DJ set at the High Noon. Francois K, who was born in France but moved to New York in the 1970s, and became an authoritative voice in NYC dance music through his production work and definitive mixes, will do the same on Saturday, July 11. Featured out-of-town artists also include Derek Plaslaiko (July 10), Bumbac Joe (July 11), and IZ (July 11).

Both days will boast a supporting cast of solid Madison DJs and producers. On July 10, that will include DJJared Perez, who currently spins the first Friday of every month at the Nutty Bar, and young techno artist Kiazma, who shared some excoriating, reverb-blasted new material during a recent set at the Frequency. [UPDATE: Kiazma has canceled since the initial announcement.] On July 11, things in the electronic tent will get started with DJs from Madison’s Foshizzle crew. (Full disclosure: Tone Madison contributor Joel Shanahan will be playing the event with his project Golden Donna.)

All music at the Fete is free and open to the public; tickets for the two late shows will be available soon through the High Noon’s website.