Think of this year’s Sasquatch lineup as a large sampling, a buffet if you will, of the current state of the national music scene. In addition to the many big names this year — OutKast, Tyler the Creator, The National, M.I.A., Haim and The Queens of the Stone Age, just to name a few — here are our must-see picks for the three days of Squatch.

The Stepkids (Bigfoot Stage, Friday 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.)

“Any comparison to Steely Dan we’re always really happy about,” says Daniel Edinberg of his vintage 70s-recalling band The Stepkids. “We’re extremely pro Dan.” The trio out of Connecticut sound as if they’ve been hiding away in a bunker full of synthesizers and percussion for the last four decades only to emerge with a full appreciation of sleek funk.  Try listening to “Memoirs of Grey” without popping a shoulder along with the beat. “I feel like we’re a festival band. I feel like we bring a pretty unique, original sound to the concert table,” continues Edinberg. “We really like that we get to hang out and see a lot of other groups. It makes you play better when you see all these other people doing their thing and putting in a lot of hard work. We feel like we play the best at a festival.”

Hozier (Yeti Stage, Friday 4:10 – 4:55 p.m.)

If your heart doesn’t soar during the opening “Baaaabe” of Hozier’s track “From Eden,” you should probably check to see if you have a pulse. Although Irish-born musician Andrew Hozier-Byrne got his start singing in college with the Trinity Orchestra in Dublin, he has successfully channeled his Delta blues and soul inspirations with the recently released EPs Take Me to Church and From Eden. Dripping with heavy (often religious) imagery, Hozier’s music explores the themes of sexuality, humanity and love making for a refreshing dichotomy in many of his lyrics. But regardless if you’re paying attention to the lyrics or not, Hozier is a must-see if only to hear his soulful vocals accompanied by a gorgeous head of hair.

Bright Light Social Hour (Bigfoot Stage, Saturday 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.)

Even if you have yet to witness it with your own eyes, you’ve heard about the gorgeous Gorge. “I know it’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful spots you can play anywhere on the planet,” says Bright Lights Social Hour’s bassist Jack O’Brien. Hailing from Austin, Texas and caught between the grooves of psychedelic and rock, Bright Lights Social Hour is a band that thrives in a festival setting. “Just being outdoors on a big stage with big lights — I feel like the outdoor festival is where our music works very well,” explains O’Brien. The band has just wrapped up recording the follow up to their 2010 self-titled debut and is stoked to play Sasquatch for their first time where their music will ring through the canyon. “There’s something amazing about making sounds and then being amplified so big that it goes on forever and there’s no end point, you know?” says O’Brien. “Shooting these sounds out into space — it’s pretty cool.”

Hobosexual (Narwhal Stage, Saturday 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.)

Last year, Seattle hard rock duo Hobosexual played the Timber Music Festival and had to learn not to party too hard before their set. “The only thing I think we’ll have to be careful of is not to drink too much and get heat stroke like we did in Timber,” laughs drummer Jeff Silva. “Luckily there was a river nearby so we basically just jumped into the river, but Sasquatch is out in the middle of a canyon. So I think the goal is to stay well hydrated and rock at a 120%.” If the band name isn’t enough to rouse a listen, give their website a gander — it’s one of the greatest band websites around and showcases Hobosexual’s admiration for the 1980s. Full of heavy guitar riffs and cymbal crashes, these two beardo weirdos also have a knack for song titles. “A Motherfucking Song about Aliens” and “Bums of 2071” are just two tracks off their 2013 release, Hobosexual II.

The Growlers (Yeti Stage, Saturday 5:15 – 6:15 p.m.)

These self-proclaimed “beach goths” hail from Dana Point, California and harness a scrappy DIY approach to their lo-fi surf rock. True to their name, lead singer Brooks Nielsen’s gritty, grizzly vocals carry the band’s playful lyrics like “Someday, when tall boys turn into champagne, when bologna turns into steak.” Sure to be one of the more low-key and enjoyable sets of the weekend, The Growlers are like those surfers-turned-musicians still using Dad’s garage as a practice space and will effortlessly contribute to the pure ease of this Northwest festival.

TOKiMONSTA (El Chupacabra Stage, Saturday 10:00 – 11:00 p.m.)

Whether it’s music to groove to or sensual beats for the sheets, Jennifer Lee, better known as electronic producer TOKiMONSTA, has got you covered. Signed to fellow Los Angelean Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder lable, TOKi is one of the more innovative (not to mention one of the only) female beat makers in the scene right now. Her sultry, sometimes cosmic-sounding down-tempo style is best heard on the tracks “Smoke & Mirrors” and “Little Pleasures.” A perfect way to sway into the starry Saturday evening.

Big Freedia (El Chupacabra Stage, Sunday 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.)

Along with the rise of twerking (unfortunately made mainstream by the bony likes of Miley Cyrus) is the New Orleans “bounce” music scene where it all originated. Big Freedia, the reigning “Queen diva, you besta believa” of this movement has been asking listeners to “bend and make your booty whop” since the early 90s. For a preview of Sunday’s larger than life set, I recommend listening to “Booty-Whop” and “Excuse.” Freedia will most certainly bring the bounce, and put the sass in Sasquatch.

Parquet Courts (Yeti Stage, Sunday 9:15 – 10:30 p.m.)

There’s a lot more to punk music than what initially meets the ear. Parquet Courts are a Brooklyn punk band that matches their guitar aggression with melody — something that has been missing since Pavement’s gold sounds — as well as hitting you with a little thought provocation. (“Socrates died in the fucking gutter,” as heard in the track “Master of my Craft”) They have a new record, Sunbathing Animal, due out on June 3 meaning that their set on Sunday night will be full of new tunes. End your Tour de Squatch with a highlight.