First things first: Do not miss Outkast. Do not miss the Foo Fighters. Do not miss any of your favorite bands or the handful of platinum-selling, Grammy-winning groups gracing the stages at Firefly Music Festival this month. But do consider checking out one of the lesser-known, up-and-coming bands looking to make a splash.
Courtney Barnet, Facebook |
Courtney Barnett
The Aussie crooner has a way with words and a smoky, sarcastic drawl that gained attention from Rolling Stone and the New York Times. Catch her: Thursday, 8 p.m., The Lawn.
Phosphorescent, Facebook |
Phosphorescent
This Southern-fried, alt- folk project, led by Alabama-native Matthew Houck, found its way into blockbuster movies and critics’ Top 10 lists. Houck’s warm, scratchy voice will remind some of fellow Fireflyer Iron & Wine. Catch them: Thursday, 8:45 p.m., The Backyard.
Phantogram, Facebook |
Phantogram
Blending elements of shoegaze, dance and psych-pop, the Greenwich Village duo was tapped for a soundtrack for a “Hunger Games” movie and collaborated with Outkast’s Big Boi. Catch them: Sunday, 7 p.m., The Backyard.
Washed Out, Facebook Credit: Shae DeTar |
Washed Out
Laptop maven Ernest Greene has been cracking out the chilliest summer jams under his Washed Out guise since 2009, producing songs soaked in hazy reverb and good vibes. Catch him: Sunday, 5:45 p.m., The Lawn.
tUnE-yArDs, Facebook |
tUnE-yArDs
Wacky, globetrotting extrovert Merrill Garbus incorporates Haitian drum circles, calypso and R&B into her latest album Nikki Nack. Catch them: Saturday, 7:15 p.m., The Lawn.
Vic Mensa, Facebook |
Vic Mensa
Mensa, from Chicago, sounds at home next to hybrid singer-rappers like Drake and Frank Ocean, and slides in easily with the dance crowd. Catch him: Friday, 2:15 p.m., The Porch.
Sky Ferreira, Facebook |
Sky Ferreira
Model-singer-actress-train-wreck Sky Ferreira is nothing if not interesting. She’s revived ’90s Courtney-Love-grunge-chic, gotten arrested for heroin possession and landed a spokes-gig for Redken. Catch her: Friday, 3:45 p.m., The Backyard.
Magic Men, Facebook |
Magic Men
Electro-pop-infused R&B, bolstered by bubbling synths and Sam Lee’s crooning, is ideal summer playlist material. Catch them: Friday, 2:15 p.m., The Forest.
Cruiser, Facebook |
Cruiser
Fuzzy samples, broken beats, ambient drones—Scottish act Cruiser has been smoldering beneath the electronic music radar since 1998. Catch them: Friday, 1:45 p.m., the Coffee House.
MS MR, Facebook |
MS MR
The shadowy, vintage-obsessed duo from New York mashes ’60s nostalgia with modern influences—and is big into remixes. Catch them: Saturday, 4:15 p.m., The Backyard.