Governors Ball Reveals Stellar Lineup For 2015
New York City’s Governors Ball Music Festival is back for its fifth consecutive year, bringing an eclectic mix of some of today’s biggest artists to Randall’s Island for three days of nonstop music. This year’s GovBall runs June 5-7, and it’s the perfect way to kick off the summer in NYC. Check out our detailed list of who’s performing at the festival this year, and leave us a comment below letting us know which acts you’re most excited to see at Governors Ball 2015!
2015 Lineup
Drake
The Friday headliner for this year’s Governors Ball Music Festival is none other than superstar rapper and singer Drake. Known initially for his role on the Canadian television series “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” Drake segued into rapping in 2006. When he was starting out, there was so much buzz surrounding him that labels were fighting with each other to sign him, and his debut album featured rap royalty like Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Jay-Z. With a multitude of chart-topping hits, Grammy Awards, and critical acclaim galore, Drake has cemented his status as a megastar in the music world, and he is sure to deliver a spectacular headlining performance on the main stage at Governor’s Ball this year.
The Black Keys
The Black Keys will be closing out the Governor’s Ball Music Festival this year, and are expected to take the main stage on Sunday night for the last performance of the weekend. The band, led by Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, has won seven Grammy Awards over the years, and earned three more this year, so The Black Keys are without a doubt one of the biggest rock bands of this generation. Their latest album, “Turn Blue,” came out in 2014 and is their fourth consecutive record produced by Danger Mouse. After extensive touring in support of the album over the last year, The Black Keys will surely be ready to rock the main stage as Governors Ball 2015 comes to a close. What better way to end such a weekend?
Deadmau5
Governors Ball’s Saturday headliner is famed DJ/producer Deadmau5. The moniker is the stage name of Toronto native Joel Zimmerman, who came up with the name in reference to an incident when he once found a dead mouse inside his computer. Always sporting his trademark giant LED mouse head, he puts on spectacular performances for huge audiences all over the world. He has proven himself as a legend in electronic and house music, and has been extremely influential in the genre.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey used to perform under her given name, Lizzy Grant, before transforming into her alter ego. The Del Rey persona not only changed her image to that of a sultry, old Hollywood-style songstress, but it brought her into the limelight as a sudden star with the internet popularity of her breakthrough single “Video Games.” Her debut album, “Born to Die,” was an international commercial success, selling millions of copies and topping the charts in several countries. Last year, Lana released her highly anticipated follow-up, “Ultraviolence,” and she is expected to release another record titled “Honeymoon” later this year.
Florence + The Machine
Florence + The Machine rose to popularity with the release of their debut studio album “Lungs” in 2009. “Lungs” quickly became one of the best-selling albums of that year, and their singles were used in a number of movies and television shows, garnering more exposure for the band. Their rising mainstream success paved the way for several awards and recognitions, including a nomination for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Their second full-length album, “Ceremonials,” also earned them two Grammy nominations in 2013, and they are currently working on their third album to be released later this year.
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket formed in the late ’90s in Louisville, KY. Led by frontman Jim James, whose ethereal voice and incredible range are impressive to say the least, the band is known for amazing live performances. Though rooted in alt-country and rock, My Morning Jacket often delves into different genres and experiments with their sound. The band just recently announced that they’ll be releasing a new album titled “The Waterfall” in May. Along with the announcement came the release of a new single called “Big Decisions.”
Bjork
Icelandic icon Bjork is definitely the biggest score for Governors Ball 2015 – she won’t be appearing at any other festival this year. Originally known for being the lead singer of the Icelandic rock sextet The Sugarcubes, Bjork began her solo career in 1993 and quickly surpassed the level of fame her former band had achieved. Her first album, the aptly titled “Debut,” was met with astounding critical acclaim and earned her several hit singles. NME designated the record their album of the year and Bjork was suddenly a superstar. She has been praised over the last three decades for her genre-defying originality and extraordinary artistry and is regarded as a true visionary in the music industry. She released her latest album, “Vulnicura,” earlier this year, and has announced several shows in New York City for March and April. While it’s somewhat of a head-scratcher that the festival doesn’t have her as a headliner (instead listing her 7th on the lineup poster), there’s no doubt that Bjork will have one of the best performances at Governors Ball this year.
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams is one of the few alt-country artists out there who has achieved mainstream success. After the breakup of his band Whiskeytown, Adams made his solo debut in 2000 with his album “Heartbreaker,” which was met with rave reviews and an endorsement by the likes of Elton John. He continued to rise to fame with his follow-up album “Gold.” The album’s lead single, “New York, New York,” became an anthem in the aftermath of 9/11, and Adams found himself in the spotlight yet again. Throughout his career, he has released fourteen studio albums, most recently his self-titled effort in 2014. In addition to his own work, he has established himself as a prominent producer, having worked with artists like Willie Nelson, Fall Out Boy, and Jenny Lewis.
Chromeo
Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo formed in Montreal in 2002. The group consists of former hip hop producers David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel. Thus far, Chromeo has released four studio albums, the most recent being 2014’s “White Women.”
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
After leaving Oasis due to tensions with his brother Liam in 2009, Noel Gallagher decided to embark on a solo career and formed Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Along with his band, which includes Oasis keyboardist Mike Rowe and drummer Jeremy Stacey of The Lemon Trees, Gallagher released the very Oasis-esque debut single “If I Had a Gun…” in 2011, followed by an eponymous debut album later that year. The album reached #1 in the U.K. and did equally well internationally, proving that he is just as great on his own as he was with Oasis. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ much-awaited sophomore album, “Chasing Yesterday,” was just released this month.
Flume
Flume is the stage name of Australian electronic musician Harley Streten. He released his debut self-titled album in 2012, which peaked at number 1 on Australia’s ARIA Albums Chart. The album and its lead single, “Holdin On,” earned him several nominations at the ARIA Music Awards in 2013, where he received wins in four categories, including Best Male Artist and Producer of the Year.
Tame Impala
Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala began as a bedroom recording project in 1999 when vocalist/guitarist Kevin Parker and bassist Dominic Simper were only 13. The duo was joined in 2007 by drummer Jay Watson, after which the band signed with Modular Records. The ’60s-inspired, fuzzy, psychedelic sound of their 2010 debut album “Innerspeaker” attracted international critical praise, and their follow-up effort, 2012’s “Lonerism,” was even more successful. Tame Impala is expected to release a highly anticipated third album later this year.
The Decemberists
Formed in 2000 in Portland, Oregon by frontman Colin Meloy, The Decemberists are known for making music with theatric grandeur, literary influence, and lush instrumentation. The group built up a substantial fan base in the first half of the decade before signing with major label Capitol Records in 2005 and releasing their widely successful album “The Crane Wife” the next year. Over the last decade, The Decemberists have released several critically praised albums and enjoyed tremendous commercial success. The band went on hiatus for a few years, but came back together in 2014 to record their seventh studio album. The new record, titled “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World,” was released in early 2015.
Ratatat
New York-based electronic rock duo Ratatat features programmer and multi-instrumentalist Evan Mast and guitarist Mike Stroud. After coming together in the early 2000s and issuing their first single, Ratatat toured early on with bands like Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, and Battles, eventually signing to XL Records, where they released their self-titled debut LP in 2004. Soon their music was being used in movies and television advertisements, earning the band commercial success. They are currently recording their yet-to-be-named fifth album.
St. Vincent
St. Vincent is the stage name of indie darling Annie Clark, formerly of The Polyphonic Spree. Clark went solo in 2007 and soon became one of the biggest recent success stories in indie rock. Her impressive songwriting and art rock style eventually attracted the attention of Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, and the two released a collaborative album in 2012. Throughout her solo career, St. Vincent has been the subject of critical praise, with her albums topping year-end lists from publications like NME, Entertainment Weekly, and The Guardian. Having most recently been nominated for a Grammy Award, it’s safe to say that her trajectory is still headed upward.
The War On Drugs
In 2005, musicians Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile met in Philadelphia and formed the indie rock band The War on Drugs. Three years later they released their debut LP “Wagonwheel Blues” and embarked on a European tour. Following the album release and tour, Vile left the band to focus on his own music, and is now a successful solo artist. However, Granduciel stayed with The War on Drugs and despite a major lineup change the band continued to make music. They released their latest studio album, “Lost in the Dream,” in 2014.
Hot Chip
London-based electronic music outfit Hot Chip formed in 2000. Since 2004, the band has released five studio albums which have produced several successful singles. They were nominated for Britain’s prestigious Mercury Prize in 2006 and in 2009 received a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for their song “Ready for the Floor.” Now, Hot Chip is back and ready to release their sixth studio album, “Why Make Sense?”
Little Dragon
Swedish electronic quartet Little Dragon formed in Gothenburg in 1996. The group consists of vocalist Yukimi Nagano, drummer Erik Bodin, keyboardist Hakan Wirenstrand, and bassist Fredrik Kallgren Wallin. Named for Nagano’s nickname she received for throwing tantrums during the recording process, Little Dragon spent a whole decade as a band before releasing their eponymous debut album in 2007. The album included their hit single “Twice,” which was featured in several popular television shows, earning the group a lot of exposure and incredible commercial success. In 2010, Damon Albarn invited the band to contribute to Gorillaz’s album “Plastic Beach,” and they later joined the band on tour. Little Dragon released their fourth and latest studio album in 2014.
SBTRKT
SBTRKT is the music project of producer Aaron Jerome. He went with the name SBTRKT because he wanted to remove the idea that there was an individual behind the music, and to uphold that concept, the enigmatic musician always performs wearing a mask. He earned success for both his original singles and his remixes of songs from artists like M.IA. and Basement Jaxx. In 2014 he released his sophomore album called “Wonder Where We Land.”
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst, best known as the frontman of the band Bright Eyes, has been a prominent figure in indie rock since the 1990s. In addition to Bright Eyes, he has been a member of a number of bands, including Desaparecidos, Commander Venus, Park Ave., Monsters of Folk, and more. Lately, Oberst has been focusing on a solo career, and he released a new solo record titled “Upside Down Mountain” last year.
Atmosphere
Atmosphere is a hip hop duo from Minneapolis made up of rapper Slug and DJ/producer Ant. Since forming in 1989, the group has released seven studio albums and ten EPs. Their most recent effort, titled “Southsiders,” was released in 2014.
Death From Above 1979
Canadian rock duo Death From Above 1979 is comprised of drummer/vocalist Sebastien Grainger and bassist/synth player Jesse F. Keeler. They released their debut album, “You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine,” in 2004 and from there went on to tour with popular acts like Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age. Despite their growing success, the duo disbanded in 2006, with Keeler moving on to become one half of MSTRKRFT and Grainger embarking on a solo career. The separation didn’t last too long though, as they reunited in 2011 and played their first comeback show later that year on the main stage at Coachella. Now, Death From Above 1979 has just released “The Physical World,” their first album in 10 years, and thankfully they haven’t lost their bass-heavy rock edge.
Future Islands
Future Islands is a Baltimore-based band comprised of vocalist Samuel T. Herring, guitarist and bassist William Cashion, and keyboardist Gerrit Welmers. In 2014, they signed with indie label 4AD and released their new album “Singles.” The album contains their hit single “Seasons (Waiting on You),” which both Pitchfork and Consequence of Sound deemed the #1 song of 2014. The band’s performance of the song on David Letterman unexpectedly went viral and earned them even more attention.
Big Gigantic
Big Gigantic is an electronic jam band based in Boulder, Colorado. The act is a duo, consisting of producer and saxophonist Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken. Big Gigantic made a name for themselves early on by hitting up the national festival circuit, performing at majors like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Ultra among others. Known for their transcendental live performances and impressive improvisation, this duo is headed for big things and on their way to international fame.
“Weird Al” Yankovic
With what is unquestionably the most successful career as a musical parodist, Alfred “Weird Al” Yankovic is somewhat of a national treasure, with numerous charting hits, film and television appearances, and hordes of fans. Over the years he has become a household name and pop culture icon with his satirical renditions of popular songs. Weird Al has been a presence on the Billboard charts since the late ’70s, and to this day he still retains a high-profile status and continues to put out new music.
Flying Lotus
Flying Lotus is the stage name of Steven Ellison, an experimental music producer, rapper, and electronic musician from Los Angeles. He has proven himself as one of the most innovative and groundbreaking producers in music today, and has developed a unique electronic sound that is all his own. In addition to his own music, Ellison founded his own successful label called Brainfeeder in 2008. Most recently, he is planning to release a new album sometime this year under his rapper alias Captain Murphy.
A-Trak
A-Trak is the stage name of Alain Macklovitch, a Canadian DJ and producer (and also the younger brother of Chromeo’s David Macklovitch). A-Trak began his career in a very impressive way: he became the youngest DJ to ever win a DJ world championship at age 15, and by age 18 he became the first to win all three major DJ championships (ITF, DMC, and Vestax). Needless to say, this guy’s got skills. In addition to his solo career, he is a founding member of the disco house duo Duck Sauce as well as a successful remix artist and producer.
Charli XCX
Charlotte Aitchison, aka Charli XCX, first gained attention in 2012 when she was featured on Icona Pop’s breakthrough single “I Love It,” which she also co-wrote. Two years later, she emerged as an outright pop superstar after being featured on Iggy Azalea’s #1 hit song “Fancy.” Her album “Sucker” arrived at the end of that year, and was designated the best pop album of 2014 by Rolling Stone. Charli XCX is currently touring with Katy Perry as the opening act for the European leg of her Prismatic World Tour.
Rudimental
The London-based electronic act Rudimental has been making waves on the English music scene for a few years now. They skyrocketed to national fame in 2012 with their UK number one single “Feel the Love.” Since then, the band has received several honors and awards, and they released their first full-length album in 2013.
Marina & The Diamonds
Though it sounds like a band, Marina and the Diamonds is really just Marina Diamandis. She came onto the scene in 2009 with her debut single “Obsessions,” which earned her popularity in the U.K. As a rising talent, Diamandis was quick to dismiss comparisons between herself and other emerging British female artists at the time, wanting to be recognized as an individual rather than being grouped together with other singers she felt she had nothing in common with musically. The last few years have seen her release two successful albums, and her third is due out in April.
ODESZA
ODEZSA is an electronic music duo from Seattle consisting of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight. Mills and Knight formed the group in 2012 while they were still in college and released their music via the internet, when their songs rose to the top of Hype Machine’s popular chart. Their success earned them a spot touring with Pretty Lights, and a year later they released their most recent album, “The Return.”
Royal Blood
British rock duo Royal Blood, comprised of vocalist/bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher, formed in Brighton in 2013. Their garage/blues rock sound is remniscent of bands like The White Stripes and The Black Keys. They were championed early on by the BBC, who named them to their Sound of 2014 list, as well as by Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, who wore the band’s t-shirt during their headlining set at Glastonbury and later invited the band to open two of their shows at Finsbury Park. This exposure helped the band earn more spots at festivals around the world, and they have most recently been tapped by the Foo Fighters to be their opening act for their Sonic Highways tour.
Sturgill Simpson
Country singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson, former leader of the roots rock band Sunday Valley, released his solo debut “High Top Mountain” in 2013. The album became a word-of-mouth hit, opening doors for him as an artist. The Kentucky native expresses his deep southern roots through his music, but wanted to experiment more with pushin the boundaries of the genre for his second album. Simpson released his sophomore effort, “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music,” in 2014.
Angus & Julia Stone
Angus & Julia Stone are an Australian brother-sister duo who play folk/blues-oriented music. Growing up in Sydney, Angus and Julia Stone were educated in music by their musician parents. The siblings have released three albums together, each one earning them more and more popularity and success, particularly in their native Australia. In 2014, after taking a break for a bit to work on solo projects, the Stone siblings reunited for their third studio album, an eponymous effort produced by Rick Rubin. The album reached #1 in Australia, and charted in a number of other countries as well.
Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten grew up in New Jersey, where she learned music at a young age and began writing songs and playing guitar in high school. Eventually relocating to New York City, she began playing gigs and soon signed to the Chicago-based independent label Drag City, which issued her debut album “Because I Was in Love” back in 2009, as well as her 2010 follow-up “epic.” The next year, she moved over to Jagjaguwar and released her last two albums there. Van Etten’s music relies heavily on vocal harmonies, heartfelt emotion, and lyric honesty, all of which make it accessible and relatable to listeners.
Twin Shadow
Twin Shadow is the stage name of Dominican-born singer George Lewis, Jr. He has released two albums thus far, 2010’s “Forget” and 2012’s “Confess,” both of which received high praise from critics. Reviewers praised his songwriting ability and ’80s-inspired sound, and eventually he earned spots touring with huge acts like The Strokes and Florence + The Machine. Twin Shadow’s upcoming third album, “Eclipse,” is due out March 16.
Vance Joy
Australian singer/songwriter Vance Joy used to play at open mic nights in Melbourne while working on completing a law degree. He ultimately decided to abandon the legal profession and wholeheartedly pursue a music career. His debut single “Riptide” was an immediate hit in Australia and led him to sign a multi-album deal with Atlantic Records. “Riptide” eventually became an international smash hit played in heavy rotation on radio stations all over the world, pushing him further into the limelight. He released his debut studio album, “Dream Your Life Away,” in 2014.
Mayer Hawthorne
Andrew Mayer Cohen, aka Mayer Hawthorne, made his debut in 2008. Since then, he has released three full-length albums, been nominated for a Grammy Award, and toured with the likes of Bruno Mars, Foster the People, and Amy Winehouse among others. Inspired by legendary singers like Curtis Mayfield and Barry White, Mayer Hawthorne makes catchy soul music that has earned him the attention of fans and critics alike.
Moon Taxi
Moon Taxi is a progressive rock and jam band from Nashville. The band quickly gained quite a following in their hometown, which led to eventually signing a record deal with 12th South Records. Moon Taxi formed when vocalist Trevor Terndrup, guitarist Spencer Thomson, bassist Tommy Putnam, drummer Tyler Ritter, and keyboardist Wes Bailey met while attending Belmont University. The band has recently begun to see more commercial success, and in the last two years they have played on television shows like “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Conan.”
MO
Danish singer MO first came into the spotlight in 2013 when she sang on Avicii’s track “Dear Boy” from the producer’s hit album true. She released her eagerly anticipated full length album “No Mythologies to Follow” in 2014. Her style can be described as electro-pop, and she cites bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Sonic Youth as influences.
Kiesza
Born in Canada and based in Brooklyn, Kiesza is a pop singer whose music combines elements of dance, house, EDM, and R&B. After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship, she moved to New York in 2010 to focus on her music career. She started out as a folk singer, but eventually found herself more drawn to dance music and gravitated towards that genre. In 2014, she released the hit single “Hideaway,” along with an impressive music video filmed in a single take. She followed that up with her debut full-length, “Sound of a Woman.”
Clean Bandit
Clean Bandit is a British electronic music group founded in Cambridge in 2009, made up of core members Jack Patterson, Luke Patterson, Grace Chatto, and Milan Neil Amin-Smith. Their music fuses classical elements with traditional house style. In 2014, they hit it big with their chart-topping single “Rather Be,” which recently won the award for Best Dance Recording at the 2015 Grammy Awards.
Gorgon City
Gorgon City is an English deep house duo. The group consists of North London-based producers Kyle “Foamo” Gibbon and Matt “Rack N Ruin” Robson-Scott. The pair began collaborating in 2012, and received their big break the following year with the success of their single “Real.” They achieved further success thanks to collaborations with artists like Clean Bandit and Klaxons. Gorgon City released the album “Sirens” in 2014, and its lead single, “Ready for Your Love,” reached number four on the UK Singles Chart.
J. Roddy Walston & The Business
Formed in 2002, J. Roddy Walston and The Business plays southern roots rock and Americana music. Besides J. Roddy Walston on vocals, piano, and guitar, the band also consists of Billy Gordon on lead guitar and vocals, Logan Davis on bass, and Steve Colmus on drums. They have gained a considerable following through touring, and have made several festival appearances and toured in support of artists like Deer Tick and Drive-By Truckers.
Rae Sremmurd
Rae Sremmurd is a hip hop duo based in Atlanta, Georgia. The group is comprised of two brothers: Khalif “Swae Lee” Brown and Aaquil “Slim Jimmy” Brown. The group’s name comes from the name of their label, EarDrummers, spelled backwards. Within the last year, they had two big charting hits, and their popularity is ever-growing. Rae Sremmurd released their debut album, titled “SremmLife,” in January of this year.
Echosmith
Formed in 2009 in Los Angeles, pop-rock band Echosmith is a family affair comprised of four siblings. The band features Sydney Sierota on vocals, Jamie Sierota on lead guitar, Noah Sierota on bass, and Graham Sierota on drums. Echosmith came to attention in 2013 with their breakthrough single “Cool Kids,” which became a top 40 hit the following year. The band played the Vans Warped Tour two summers in a row and in the last two years they have opened for artists like Owl City, Twenty One Pilots, and Neon Trees.
Chronixx and the Zincfence Redemption
Chronixx is the stage name of Jamaican reggae artist Jamar McNaughton, Jr., the son of the reggae singer Chronicle. He released his latest album, “Dread & Terrible,” in 2014. Chronixx performs live with his band, the Zincfence Redemption, and also founded his own record label, called ZincFence Recordz.
Kaytranada
Born in Haiti and raised in Montreal, Kaytranada has been working hard as a DJ since he was a teenager. Now only 22, his star is ever on the rise as his remixes are accumulating millions of views on YouTube and Soundcloud. His style bridges dance music with the world of hip hop and R&B.
Logic
Logic is Maryland-based rapper Sir Robert Bryson Hall II (that’s actually his given name – the “Sir” and everything). The young artist came onto the scene in 2010, releasing several mixtapes and increasing his fame through internet buzz and press exposure. In 2012, he toured Europe without even being signed to a label, but nonetheless found a home two years later with Def Jam, which released his 2014 album “Under Pressure.”
Benjamin Booker
New Orleans’ Benjamin Booker is a blues rock musician. His sound draws on blues influence as well as garage rock and punk. He released his self-titled debut album in 2014 and has since gone on to tour with Jack White and play several major music festivals including Lollapalooza, where he earned more recognition when Rolling Stone praised him for his amazing live performance.
People Under the Stairs
People Under the Stairs is an underground hip hop group from Los Angeles. The group consists solely of Christopher “Thes One” Portugal and Michael “Double K” Turner. They’ve been around since the late ’90s, and although they never really achieved huge mainstream success, they have built up a substantial underground following. People Under the Stairs released “12 Step Program,” their ninth full-length album, last year.
Rustie
Glasgow’s Russell Whyte performs under the stage name Rustie. He has established himself as an acclaimed producer and musician whose style draws on hip hop and electro influences. Rustie has released two full-length albums to date: “Glass Swords” (2011) and “Green Language” (2014).
DIIV
DIIV is the Brooklyn-based recording project led by Beach Fossils drummer Zachary Cole Smith. The group released their debut album, “Oshin,” back in 2012 on the Brooklyn-based indie label Captured Tracks. The band has reported that they are currently working on new material, and a new DIIV album is expected this summer.
Strand of Oaks
Strand of Oaks is the rock project of producer and songwriter Timothy Showalter. He has released several albums as Strand of Oaks since 2009, his most recent work being 2014’s “HEAL.”
Priory
Portland, Oregon’s Priory formed in 2009. The electropop duo is comprised of Brandon Rush and Kyle Sears. In 2014 they signed with Warner Bros. Records and hit it big with their song “Weekend.”
White Lung
White Lung is a punk rock quartet from Vancouver. The band formed in 2006 and currently consists of Mish Way on vocals, Kenneth William on guitar, Hether Fortune on bass, and Anne-Marie Vassilou on drums. White Lung has released three albums within the last several years, their most recent being 2014’s “Deep Fantasy.”
Holychild
Holychild is an experimental pop duo from Los Angeles. The group is composed of Liz Nistico and Louie Diller, who met in 2010 and began making music together. Holychild was a buzzworthy act in last year, ending up on both Billboard and LA Weekly’s lists of bands to watch in 2014. They signed with Glassnote Records and released their EP, “Mindspeak,” last March. They are expected to release their debut full-length album later this year.
Astr
Astr is an electronic duo based in New York City. Formed in 2013, the group is made up of singer Zoe Silverman and producer Adam Pallin. They released their debut EP, “Varsity,” on Neon Gold last year.
The Districts
Pennsylvania natives The Districts formed in 2009, when the band’s four members were still only in high school. In the last year, they have played several major festivals, and NME even dubbed them “the band who owned SXSW” in 2014. They signed to Fat Possum Records back in 2013, and released a new record titled “A Flourish and a Spoil” in February of this year.
Hermitude
Hermitude is an electronic instrumental hip hop duo hailing from Australia. The group consists of producers and multi-instrumentalists Luke “Luke Dubs” Dubber and Angus “El Gusto” Stuart. They created Hermitude in 2000 and have since released four studio albums and three EPs.
Bishop Nehru
Bishop Nehru is the stage name of American rapper Markel Scott. The young talent has been incredibly successful lately, having earned critical acclaim for recent releases, touring with Wu-Tang Clan, and collaborating with Disclosure. Last year, he signed with Nas’ Mass Appeal Records.
Streets of Laredo
Streets of Laredo is an indie folk band from New Zealand formed by siblings Daniel, Dave, and Sarahjane Gibson. In 2012, the Gibsons relocated from Auckland to Brooklyn, where they recruited several other musicians to complete their now seven-piece lineup. In 2014 they released “Volume I & II,” their ten-track debut record with music inspired by their time in both New Zealand and New York.
Charlotte OC
Charlotte OC is the stage name of British singer-songwriter Charlotte O’Connor. Initially she was signed to Columbia Records and recorded an album for the label, but was eventually dropped and had to start her career over. Eventually fortune struck again and she scored a deal with U.K. label Stranger Records, which is known for signing Lana Del Rey early on in her career. Charlotte OC has released two EPs thus far, and is at work on a debut album.
Kate Tempest
English poet Kate Tempest has seemlessly segued into the music world with her hip hop and spoken word-influenced sound. Hailing from London, she launched her career in her teens, performing spoken word poetry at open mic nights around the city. She released her debut album, “Everybody Down,” in 2014.
DMA’s
Sydney, Australia’s DMA’s is a band on the rise, both in their home country and overseas. The trio formed in 2012 and developed a sound that evokes the early-90s style of iconic Britpop bands like Oasis, Blur, and The Stone Roses. They gained a lot of recognition with the release of their successful debut single “Delete,” which earned them critical praise and an ever-growing fan base.
The Picturebooks
The Picturebooks is a garage rock duo from Germany comprised of longtime friends Fynn Claus Grabke and Philipp Mirtschink. They debuted in 2009 with their album “List of People to Kill,” and followed that with 2010’s “Artificial Tears.” In 2014, The Picturebooks released their third and latest studio album titled “Imaginary Horse.”
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