Here's the Freshman Class of Electric Zoo 2014

Trying to catch all the highlights of Electric Zoo is like playing a game of Pac-Man. You're sprinting to stay ahead of the pack, gobbling up music as fast as you can, and if you stay too long in one place, bad things tend to happen. Honestly, it's not even worth it. So here's a better plan: get familiar with this crop of DJs—both old and new—who are playing at the festival for the first time. Mix them in with the main stage acts and your go-to favorites, and voilà! You've got the perfect dance music salad.

Without further ado, the freshman year class of this year's Zoo:

Rotterdam-born Oliver Heldens was just a wee baby (okay, seventeen years old) when he caught his first big break—getting plucked out of the demo pile and signed by Spinnin' Records. Then, Papa Tiësto came knocking, releasing Heldens' soulful club staple "Gecko" on his Musical Freedom label. "Gecko" eventually became a UK-chart topping smash hit, proving once again that this kid's got talent.

The fact that Milo & Otis are named after a Japanese movie about a tabby cat and a pug already tells you everything you need to know about these two. But in case you're still thirsty for more: they're based in LA, toured with Skrillex's Mothership this year, and have already brought their rabble-rousing mix of trap, electro and moombahton to EDC Vegas and HARD Summer. Oh, and their Soundcloud describes them as a "professional fake book writer" and "leprechaun farmer who's a gambler." See for yourself on the Beatport Riverside stage on Sunday.

This might be Terrence Parker's first time playing at the Zoo, but let's face it: the Detroit native is anything but a freshman. With releases on labels like Planet E, !K7 and Dekmantel, Parker has been spreading the gospel of classic Detroit house since the late 80s. He's also earned the nickname "Telephone Man," thanks to his habit of using an actual telephone handset instead of headphones while working his turntable wizardry. You'll find this smooth operator on—where else—the Vinyl-Only stage on Sunday.

The leftist electronic producer is known more for feelsy indie tunes than straight up dance music, but as his Essential Mix shows, Bonobo knows how to get your feet moving. His set, on Beatport Riverside on Friday, might just be the most intellectual take on dance at the whole festival.

Of the same ilk as NYC-bred acts like The Knocks, Chordashian is a duo skilled in the dropping of indie-dance jams, with healthy offerings of big melodies and deeply enjoyable chord progressions. In other words, exactly what you want to listen to while dancing under the sun. Catch them kicking off the Beatport Riverside stage on Day One.

Proxy's love of Cold War-imagery and militant techno beats is frightening in the way where you pretty much just have to throw your hands up and surrender to the mosh pit. Venture if you dare to his set on the Hilltop Arena on Friday. Maybe bring a helmet.

Moon Boots has got to be one of our favorite galactic groove-droppers of the moment. As part of the esteemed French Express label collective, Moon Boots brings his own full-on-funky taste for summery house jams to the Sunday School Groove stage on Saturday.

One of the more versatile members of the frosh class this year, Kidnap Kid's beats range from euphoric deep house to uplifting vocal belters. His MIXED BY for us continues to burn up the interwebs--a sure sign that's it's time for him to bring his skills to the IRL sphere. Specifically, to the Sunday School Groove stage on Saturday. Watch out for this kid.

Maybe it's his always-buzzing Magic Tape series. Maybe it's his constant output of house cuts infused with disco, pop and 80s sounds. Or maybe he just pulled off the greatest magic trick of all time. No matter what it is, The Magician (Stephen Fasano, formerly of the DJ duo Aeroplane) has skyrocketed up the ranks of the dance music ranks over the last year or so. His afternoon set on the Sunday School Groove stage on Sunday will surely be the talk of the town. That, or his superfly tux.

Apollonia are referred to as the French House Mafia—and for good reason. Dan Ghenacia is the king of Paris' after-hours scene, and the founder of the (now defunct) Freak n' Chic label. He, Dyed Soudorom and Shonky have been friends since the late 90s, when they would party together on boats moored on the Seine. Now they're bringing their B2B2B sets of house and techno everywhere from Panorama Bar to DC10. On Friday, they'll be getting the Sunday School tent in full groove mode. Don't miss.

More froshies:
Meet the Freshman Class of EDC 2014
Bass Squad: Undergrad Party Promoters Smash Onto New York's Nightlife Scene
Young British DJs are Taking Over Ibiza This Summer, But Why Now?