Tiesto headlines Made in America

EDM superstar Tiesto definitely knows how to put on a show. / Jordan Loyd

Electronic music legend Tiesto is ready to get in touch with his inner Rocky at the Jay Z-curated Budweiser Made in America festival this weekend on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

It’s the name of a track from his new hit album, “A Town Called Paradise.”

“It’s a tribute to ’80s rock and pop music,” says Tiesto of the uplifting “Rocky,” one of the few vocal-less tracks on the album.

“I think the ’80s were great because people were making simple music,” says Tiesto, who is a headliner for Made’s Sunday show. “The melodies were simple and the sounds were simple and everything sounded great — it was a very special period in time, very unique. The first synthesizers were used and electronic music was becoming bigger.”

The Dutch-born Tiesto, aka Tijs Verwest, was the first DJ to play a stadium in the early ’00s. He made his name with trance and progressive dance music, but on “Paradise,” which has produced the singles “Red Lights” and “Wasted,” he’s firmly in the pop realm.

Tiesto on stage. / Jordan Loyd

“This is the happiest album I’ve ever made,” Tiesto says. “I feel when people want to go out, they want to have a good time … When I play happy tracks, everybody’s smiling and energetic and it’s a party.”

Tiesto’s set will be about an hour at Made, which should be enough time to get a big smile on. Pharrell Williams, Kings of Leon, Girl Talk, Grimes, Spoon and more are also on the bill Sunday.

Kanye West and The National headline Saturday.