The Life Is Beautiful Festival returns to Sin City for a third consecutive year with yet another incredible lineup you won’t see anywhere else. The fest will be held in Downtown Las Vegas from September 25-27 and will feature headlining performances from Stevie Wonder, Imagine Dragons, and Kendrick Lamar in addition to the other 70+ artists on the roster. Read on for a full and detailed look at the lineup, and if you’re interested, grab some Life Is Beautiful Festival tickets before it’s too late.
2015 Lineup
Stevie Wonder
Headlining the Life Is Beautiful Festival on Friday, September 25 is American R&B icon Stevie Wonder. With over 30 top ten hits and several platinum albums, he is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time. In addition to his impressive album sales and chart popularity, Stevie Wonder holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by a male solo artist, with 22 wins to date. Over the last fifty years, Stevie Wonder has left a lasting legacy on the music industry. Some of his other awards and recognitions include a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an Academy Award, and inductions into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Imagine Dragons
Las Vegas’ own Imagine Dragons seemingly came out of nowhere in the last few years to rise to the top of the charts and earn a Grammy Award, becoming one of the biggest acts out there right now. After the smash success of their hit debut album Night Visions, which included chart-topping singles like “Demons” and “Radioactive,” Imagine Dragons are back this year with a brand-new album called Smoke + Mirrors. Chock full of stadium-ready anthems much like their first record, their sophomore attempt was well worth the wait. The band is currently out promoting the album on their Smoke + Mirrors tour, but will be making a pit stop in their hometown to headline Saturday night of Life Is Beautiful.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, better known as Kendrick Lamar, is a rapper and songwriter from Compton, California. He rose to popularity in 2010 with the release of his mixtape Overly Dedicated, and the following year his album “Section 80,” which he released exclusively through iTunes, ranked as one of the best digital hip hop releases of the year. His major-label debut good kid, m.A.A.d city debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. He received seven Grammy nominations in 2014, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year, and Best Rap Song. Lamar will be closing out the entire Life Is Beautiful Festival as he headlines the main stage on Sunday night.
Duran Duran
New wave heroes Duran Duran, known for such ’80s gems as “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Rio,” are releasing a new album this month. Slated for release on September 18, Paper Gods is Duran Duran’s fourteenth studio album and the band’s first in five years. The new record features a star-studded list of guest artists, including Janelle Monae, Kiesza, former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, and even Lindsay Lohan, so we’re excited to hear this one.
Hozier
Andrew Hozier-Byrne, better known as Hozier, is an Irish singer-songwriter who has gained tremendous success recently with his multi-platinum gospel and blues-inspired single “Take Me to Church.” The wise-beyond-his-years twenty-something singer grew up as the son of a blues musician, so it’s no wonder he does the genre so well. Hozier released his self-titled debut album near the end of 2014, and his song “Take Me to Church” was nominated for a Grammy award for Song of the Year. His record has since been certified 6x platinum in his home country of Ireland.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg made his debut on Dr. Dre’s 1992 smash hit album The Chronic, after which he quickly rose to fame as a solo artist, becoming one of the biggest rappers of the 1990s. Just a year after his introduction on Dr. Dre’s album, Snoop Dogg released his solo debut, Doggystyle, which broke records at the time of its release, selling a million copies in its first week and going on to be certified 4x platinum. In 1996 he released his sophomore album, Tha Doggfather, which once again debuted at the #1 spot. Over the years, Snoop Dogg has released a number of successful albums and hit singles and has been a consistent chart presence for the last two decades. Recently, he recorded a reggae album under the alias Snoop Lion, but has since returned to the Snoop Dogg moniker and released his latest studio album, the Pharrell-produced BUSH, in May.
Weezer
In the post-grunge era of the 1990s, few bands emerged as successful as Weezer. The endearingly nerdy rockers broke onto the scene in 1994 with the release of their now multi-platinum debut album, which included such timeless singles as “Buddy Holly” and “Say It Ain’t So.” With several more critically acclaimed albums and a number of chart-topping hits over the last two decades, Weezer is without a doubt one of the most successful bands of the modern era. Weezer’s latest album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End, came out last year and debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, proving that they’re still just as relevant 20 years into their career.
Major Lazer
Major Lazer is an electronic music project created by famed producer Diplo. Major Lazer’s music is influenced by reggae and dancehall styles, and the project has spawned three studio albums so far. Major Lazer’s third and latest album, Peace Is the Mission, just dropped this June. The new album features collaborations with artists like Ellie Goulding, DJ Snake, Wild Belle, 2 Chainz, Ariana Grande, Pusha T, and more.
Death Cab For Cutie
This year, Grammy-nominated alternative rock band Death Cab For Cutie is back with their first album in four years, Kintsugi. Despite the recent amicable departure of lead guitarist and founding band member Chris Walla, the band remains intact with frontman Ben Gibbard still at the helm after all these years. Known for earnest lyrics across several stunning and emotional albums, highlights of which include 2003’s Transatlanticism and its 2005 follow-up Plans, Death Cab For Cutie has made an indelible mark on indie rock history.
Chance the Rapper
Chicago’s Chancelor Bennett, a.k.a. Chance the Rapper, made his breakthrough with the release of his 2013 mixtape Acid Rap, which has since been downloaded over 900,000 times. The mixtape featured the likes of Childish Gambino, Ab-Soul, and Action Bronson, and received high praise from major critics from Rolling Stone, Spin, Pitchfork, and NPR among others. Thus far, the 22-year-old rapper has only released a few mixtapes, yet he has earned a high enough profile to be a headliner at some festivals this year. We’re expecting big things from this young talent in the years to come.
Brandon Flowers
Having initially warmed his way into the hearts of fans and media alike as the charming frontman of The Killers, Las Vegas native Brandon Flowers made his solo debut in 2010 with the release of his album Flamingo. This year, Flowers is back with a second solo record titled The Desired Effect, which dropped on May 18.
Kygo
Kygo is a Norwegian DJ and record producer best known for his insanely popular track “Firestone.” He initially built up his popularity through the internet by accumulating over 80 million views on his Soundcloud and YouTube pages. His internet fame soon attracted the attention of big-name artists like Swedish DJ Avicii and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Since 2013, Kygo has had 3 singles reach #1 in Norway, and he is gaining more and more international fame each 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.
Twenty One Pilots
High school friends Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun formed Twenty One Pilots in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. They put out two self-released albums before their grassroots efforts paid off and they signed with alternative rock label Fueled By Ramen. They released their first label-issued album called Vessel in 2013, and have since taken their rap-infused pop sound on tour internationally. This year, the band returns to the airwaves with a new album called Blurryface, which came out in May.
Knife Party
Knife Party is an EDM duo from Perth, Australia consisting of Gareth McGrillen and Rob Swire, the founders of the Australian drum and bass band Pendulum. The duo released their debut EP in 2011, which received over 50,000 downloads within 12 hours of its release. As their fame grew, they received more mainstream exposure, including a collaboration with Swedish House Mafia and their song “Bonfire” being used on AMC’s hit show “Breaking Bad,” which did wonders for their career. Knife Party released their most recent album, Abandon Ship, in 2014.
Porter Robinson
Porter Robinson is an electronic music artist from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He began producing music at the young age of 13, influenced by sounds from video games like Dance Dance Revolution. The self-taught producer earned the recognition of Skrillex’s OWSLA label, which signed him for a one-EP deal which turned out to be extremely successful. In the following years, he continued to ascend to fame with more hit singles and remixes. He released his debut album in 2014 and through recent extensive touring has achieved headliner status.
Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation is a DJ collective formed by producers Rob Garza and Eric Hilton and based in Washington, D.C. Their eclectic style of midtempo dance music incorporates elements of various genres like dub, trip-hop and acid jazz. Since the group’s beginnings in the mid ’90s, Thievery Corporation has released nine studio albums and collaborated with big artists like Perry Farrell, David Byrne, and Wayne Coyne. Their most recent album,Saudade, was released in 2014.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros was formed in Los Angeles in 2007 by Ima Robot frontman Alex Ebert. The band features a rotating lineup of 10+ musicians, and their upbeat, communal music style evokes the positive vibes of 1960s and 1970s hippie culture. They released their debut album, Up From Below, in 2009, and the record contained the popular single “Home,” which earned the band heaps of commercial and critical success. They followed their successful debut with a sophomore album titled Here in 2012, and subsequently released a self-titled third album in 2013.
Metric
Canadian indie rock band Metric formed in Toronto in 1998. Consisting of vocalist Emily Haines, guitarist James Shaw, bassist Joshua Winstead, and drummer Joules Scott-Key, the band has retained the same lineup since 2001. Metric has released five studio albums to date, in between which Haines and Shaw recorded and performed as members of Canadian indie rock supergroup Broken Social Scene. This summer, they’re touring with Imagine Dragons, after which they’ll release their sixth record, titled Pagans in Vegas, which is due out this September.
AWOLNATION
AWOLNATION is the electronic rock project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Bruno. Their debut album, Megalithic Symphony, was a worldwide success, specifically with the multi-platinum hit single “Sail.” The overwhelming commercial success of “Sail” helped propel the electronic rock genre into the popular sphere, and the single peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Earlier this year, AWOLNATION released a sophomore record, titled Run.
Walk The Moon
Upbeat alt-pop band Walk the Moon formed in Cincinnati in 2008. The group features vocalist Nicholas Petricca, bassist Kevin Ray, guitarist Eli Maiman, and drummer Sean Waugaman. They independently released their debut album, I Want! I Want!, in 2010, and their single “Anna Sun” became a big hit and officially put the band on the radar. They released their self-titled major label debut two years later, which earned them huge commercial success, but the best was yet to come for the band. In September 2014, they released the catchy top 40 breakthrough single “Shut Up and Dance” before coming out with their third full-length Talking Is Hard a month later.
Carnage
DJ Carnage is a producer and remixer based in Los Angeles. Born Diamonte Blackmon, he grew up in Guatemala and Nicaragua before moving to the United States, so he has an international perspective that influences his music career. In addition to his music, he is known for his charity and giving back to the impoverished communities he was surrounded by in his youth. He gives back to his fans too. Several months ago, he blasted $10,000 into the crowd through a confetti cannon during a show in Chicago. With antics like that, there’s no telling what Carnage will get into during his set at the Life Is Beautiful Festival, but it’s sure to be a good one.
Run The Jewels
What started as a one-off collaboration between noted rappers El-P and Killer Mike evolved into the hip hop superduo Run the Jewels. Shortly after a successful self-titled debut album, they released their sophomore album titled Run the Jewels 2. Both albums were met with huge success, and Killer Mike has stated that the duo is set to start working on Run the Jewels 3 this year.
Rebelution
Rebelution is a reggae band from Santa Barbara, California. Formed in 2004, they released their eponymous debut EP two years later, followed by their first full-length, Courage to Grow, in 2007. While their first album was very successful, their 2009 sophomore album Bright Side of Life was even more so, as it earned the band their first #1 when it reached the top spot on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart. Rebelution’s latest two albums have earned them more mainstream attention, both debuting in the top 20 on the Billboard 200 as well as taking over the #1 spot on the reggae charts.
Madeon
French producer Hugo Leclercq, a.k.a. Madeon, began stirring up buzz when he was only 16 with his popular remixes of artists like The Killers and Pendulum. His rapid rise to fame has brought him in front of international audiences, performing at several major music festivals and touring as the opening act for Lady Gaga. Earlier this year, Madeon dropped his debut album titled Adventure.
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 several high-profile music sites, including both Pitchfork and Consequence of Sound, deemed the #1 song of 2014.
Robin Schulz
German house producer Robin Schulz rose to fame almost immediately with his first-ever release, a remix of “Waves ” by Dutch rapper Mr. Probz. The track debuted at #1 on the U.K. Singles Chart as well as hitting the top spot in several other countries, and it earned Schulz a Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording this year. His second single, a remix of Lilly Wood & The Prick’s “Prayer in C,” was an even bigger success, which led to international recognition for the up-and-coming producer. Following the success of his popular remixes, Schulz released his debut album, Prayer, in September 2014.
SOJA
Grammy-nominated reggae band SOJA formed in 1997 in Arlington, Virginia. The eight piece band’s 2012 album Strength to Survive reached the top spot on Billboard’s reggae albums chart, and they have since released another record, titled Amid the Noise and Haste, which came out last year.
GRiZ
GRiZ is the stage name of DJ and producer Grant Kwiecinski. He began playing music at a young age, learning piano and alto saxophone in elementary school, and he incorporates his saxophone playing into his funk-inspired dance music. GRiZ has toured with artists like Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, and Big Gigantic, eventually earning himself his own headlining tour as well as appearances at huge festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Outside Lands.
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 reminiscent 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 were recently tapped by the Foo Fighters to be the opening act for their Sonic Highways tour.
Glass Animals
Glass Animals is an English indie rock band from Oxford consisting of childhood friends Dave Bayley, Drew Macfarlane, Edmund Irwin-Singer, and Joe Seaward. They released their debut album Zaba in 2014, which includes their hit song “Gooey,” which reached #19 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
Lindsey Stirling
Violinist and performance artist Lindsey Stirling got her start as a YouTube star, with a series of popular choreographed performance videos that garnered millions of views. In addition to her YouTube fame, she gained further recognition as a finalist on the fifth season of America’s Got Talent in 2010. Her unique music style combines classical violin with genres such as hip hop and EDM. Stirling released her self-titled debut album in 2012, followed by her sophomore record, Shatter Me, in 2014.
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.
Best Coast
Best Coast is an indie rock duo consisting of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno whose sound can be described as sunny, lo-fi beach rock. After gaining some attention with their initial recordings, the band signed with Mexican Summer and released their debut album Crazy For You, a collection of lo-fi, surf rock-inspired songs that was met with surprising commercial success. They followed that up two years later with their sophomore effort The Only Place, which had a much more polished sound quality than their debut. Best Coast released an EP on Cosentino’s new label in 2013, and released their third album, California Nights, in May.
BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah
Canadian trio BADBADNOTGOOD, known for their jazzy covers of popular hip hop songs, recently teamed up with rapper Ghostface Killah to record music together. The result was a collaborative album called Sour Soul, which came out in February of this year. BADBADNOTGOOD and Ghostface Killah will be appearing on stage together at the Life Is Beautiful Festival for what’s sure to be an amazing performance.
Audien
Audien is the stage name of EDM producer Nate Rathbun, who began making music in 2008 in a small apartment in the seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut. Since then, his tracks have been featured by DJ acts like Tiesto, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, and Above & Beyond.
Tchami
Martin Bresso, a.k.a. Tchami, is a French DJ and producer. He has done remix work for artists like Janet Jackson, AlunaGeorge, and A Tribe Called Quest. In late 2013, he released his debut EP, Promesses, on Fool’s Gold Records. Earlier this year, he followed up with a new ep called After Life.
Ab-Soul
Ab-Soul is the stage name of rapper Herbert Stevens. As a child, he was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a condition that causes light hypersensitivity, so he is rarely seen not wearing sunglasses. In 2009, he formed the group Black Hippy with Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Rock, but decided to go solo in 2011. His solo work features plenty of high-profile collaborations, including appearances from all of the Black Hippy crew. Ab-Soul’s most recent album, These Days, came out in 2014 and debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Against Me!
Against Me! is a punk rock band formed in Gainesville, Florida in 1997 by singer and guitarist Laura Jane Grace. After releasing three studio albums on independent record labels, the band signed a major label deal in 2007 and from there on began to see more mainstream success. They launched their own label in 2011 and have since released their music through that. Since the band’s lead singer Grace came out as a transgender woman, they have released an album titled Transgender Dysphoria Blues, which deals with gender dysphoria and Grace’s own experience.
SZA
SZA is the stage name of alternative R&B artist Solana Rowe. In 2012, she self-released an EP titled See.SZA.Run, which she followed with the release of her second EP S. Since then, she has signed with the indie label Top Dawg Entertainment and released her third EP Z in 2014. The Z EP includes collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, and Kendrick Lamar. Unsurprisingly, her forthcoming debut album, which has yet to be given a release date, will be called A.
Dan Deacon
Dan Deacon is an electronic musician based in Baltimore, Maryland. He released his first recordings in 2003, and since then has put out several successful and critically acclaimed albums, but he is perhaps best known for his engaging live performances. Deacon’s latest effort, Glass Riffer, came out this February.
Meg Myers
Singer-songwriter Meg Myers moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career when she was just 20 years old. There, she met producer Doctor Rosen Rosen, with whom she signed a production deal and recorded her first EP, 2012’s Daughter in the Choir. She soon scored a contract with Atlantic Records and released a second EP called Make a Shadow. Myers embarked on her first headlining tour this spring, and she is expected to release a full-length album later this year.
Claude Vonstroke
Former Detroit resident and producer Barclay Crenshaw adopted the name Claude VonStroke in 2005 when he decided he needed a quirky name to go with a quirky mix of techno tracks. He released his debut album a year later, titled Beware of the Bird. He has since released two more albums, and formed his own label called Dirtybird.
New Politics
Originally formed in Denmark in 2009, New Politics‘ lead vocalist David Boyd and guitarist Soren Hansen moved to New York City after signing with RCA. Now a Brooklyn-based band, they recruited American drummer Louis Vecchio to form the high-energy trio they are today. While they make fun, catchy music, their live shows might just be the best thing about them, as frontman Boyd is known to show off his impressive breakdancing skills on stage. New Politics’ third album, titled Vikings, just came out on August 14.
Two Gallants
San Francisco’s Two Gallants is a folk rock duo made up of Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel. Taking their name from a James Joyce short story, Stephens and Vogel began performing together as Two Gallants since 2002. The duo just released their fifth studio album, We Are Undone, on February 3.
Halsey
Halsey is the stage name of New York’s Ashley Frangipane. In true hipster fashion, the New Jersey native took the name of a Brooklyn L train stop to use as her musical alias. She self-released her first single, “Ghost,” and based on the strength and popularity of that song she signed a deal with Capitol Records-owned electronic/dance label Astralwerks and dropped an EP in 2014. Halsey’s debut album, Badlands, just came out on August 28.
Shamir
Shamir Bailey, better known as just Shamir, is an artist from Las Vegas whose music evokes ’90s-style house, pop, and R&B. Shamir released his debut EP, Northtown, last year, and he is set to release his first full-length record, titled Ratchet, in May.
Cashmere Cat
Cashmere Cat is a producer and DJ from Norway. In his early days, he represented his country at the DMC World DJ Championship under the name Final. He gained widespread recognition as Cashmere Cat in 2012 and 2013 with popular remixes of artists like Lana Del Rey, 2 Chainz, and Jeremih, and later for producing songs for big names like Ariana Grande and Kanye West. He has also released his own original productions, his most recent issue being his 2013 EP Wedding Bells.
Ryn Weaver
Ryn Weaver is the stage name of American singer and songwriter Erin Wuthrich. She released her debut single “OctaHate” in June 2014, which boasted collaborators like Charli XCX and Passion Pit’s Michael Angelakos. With these big-name connections, the song quickly rose to popularity and Weaver later released her debut EP, Promises, in August of 2014. Earlier this summer, she dropped her debut full-length, titled The Fool.
What So Not
What So Not is the collaboration of Australian DJ/producers Flume and Emoh Instead. The duo garnered plenty of attention when they formed in 2013 since Flume was already popular in the electronic music scene, with their first upload on Soundcloud, “Jaguar,” amassing over 15,000 plays within hours of its release. For those who feel like Flume’s music is a bit too chill for their taste, What So Not has a more upbeat and club-friendly vibe that might be more appealing.
Big Data
Big Data recently came to attention with their hit single “Dangerous” (featuring Joywave), which was a number one single on the U.S. Alternative charts in 2014. The group is an electronic music project led by Brooklyn-based producer Alan Wilkis. Big Data has released three EPs: 1.0, 1.5, and 1.6, and the band just released their full-length debut, titled 2.0, on March 23.
The Magician
Belgian DJ and producer Stephen Fasano, formerly half of the nu disco duo Aeroplane, embarked on a solo career in 2010 and began making music as The Magician. He released his debut EP, Twist, in 2011. Last summer, he released his single “Sunlight,” featuring the British electropop trio Years & Years. The single was a top ten hit in both Belgium and the United Kingdom.
Jauz
Young Los Angeles-based producer Sam Vogel makes beats under the name Jauz. His talent for blending genres has earned him plenty of exposure lately, and both his remixes and original tracks have garnered the support of EDM heavyweights like Skrillex, Diplo, Zedd, and several others.
Saint Motel
Saint Motel is an indie pop band formed in 2007 by pianist/vocalist A.J. Jackson and guitarist Aaron Sharp. The duo met while both studying film at Chapman University in Orange, California, and soon recruited bassist Dak Lerdamornpong and drummer Greg Erwin to round out their lineup. Using their film school knowhow, the band put together appealing videos for each of the six tracks on their debut EP ForPlay. Saint Motel’s 2012 debut full-length was met favorably by critics, earning the band more popularity and the chance to tour with internationally famous acts like Imagine Dragons, Arctic Monkeys, and Weezer.
B∅RNS
B∅RNS is the solo project of musician Garrett Borns. Originally hailing from Michigan, he eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he signed with Interscope and released his debut EP Candy. The EP came out in 2014 and contains four songs that blend dreamy pop with electronic synths, folk, and glam rock.
X Ambassadors
Brooklyn’s X Ambassadors was originally formed by brothers Sam and Casey Harris and their childhood friend Noah Feldshuh in upstate New York. Once the trio moved to the big city, they joined up with drummer Adam Levin to form the four-piece band they are today. The group released their debut EP, Love Songs Drug Songs, in 2013.
Klingande
Klingande is the stage name of French producer Cedric Steinmyller, who takes the alias from a Swedish verb that translates to “sounding.” Originally inspired by Swedish house music, Klingande has recently made a move towards the rising subgenre of tropical house. His 2013 single “Jubel” became an international success, earning platinum certification in multiple countries.
Salva
Salva is the DJ alias of LA-based producer Paul Salva. He dropped his first studio album, Complex Housing, in 2011, after which he earned enough praise from critics to officially remix popular artists like Nelly Furtado, Matt & Kim, and Chromeo.
Kaleo
Icelandic rock quartet Kaleo formed in 2012, after which they quickly became a big hit in their home country. They released their eponymous debut album in 2013, which rose to the #1 spot on the charts in Iceland. Their mellow sound evokes that of artists like Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes.
Giraffage
San Francisco-based electronic music producer Charlie Yin performs under the name Giraffage. He released his debut album, Comfort, in 2011, and followed that with the 2013 release of his second long-player, Needs. 2014 saw the release of his latest EP, No Reason, as well as a support slot touring with Porter Robinson. (updates?)
Night Terrors of 1927
Night Terrors of 1927 is a group formed by former Rilo Kiley guitarist Blake Sennett and former The Honorary Title frontman Jarrod Gorbel. Together they make electronic-oriented pop rock tunes. They released their debut full-length album, Everything’s Coming Up Roses, earlier this year.
Alessia Cara
You may have already heard about Canadian singer/songwriter Alessia Cara, who’s been making it known lately that she’s a star on the rise. The 19-year-old artist initially gained attention with a series of popular song covers posted to YouTube, after which she signed with Def Jam and released her debut single “Here.” The single earned praise from publications like Billboard, Spin, and Cosmopolitan among others, and all of that positive buzz paved the way for the successful release of her debut album, Four Pink Walls, which came out in August.
Peking Duk
Australian electronic music duo Peking Duk consists of DJ/producers Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles. First coming onto the scene with a popular remix of Passion Pit’s “Take a Walk,” Peking Duk has since catapulted to fame, with several of their most recent singles reaching the top 10 on the Australian charts and achieving platinum certification.
The London Souls
New York City’s The London Souls is a rock duo consisting of guitarist/vocalist Tash Neal and drummer/vocalist Chris St. Hilaire. In 2011, they released their eponymous debut album, followed by a sophomore record called Here Come the Girls in early 2015.
The Green
Formed in Oahu, Hawaii in 2009, reggae group The Green was already seeing tremendous success in the genre within their first year as a band. They released their self-titled debut album in 2010, earning the accolade of Best Reggae Album of the Year from iTunes and landing a record deal with indie reggae label Easy Star Records. By the time they released their second album Ways & Means, The Green reached the top spot on both the Billboard and iTunes reggae charts. The Green released their third and latest record, Hawai’i ’13, in 2013.
Leikeli47
Masked, mysterious, and ever on the rise, Leikeli47 (pronounced lah-KAY-lee) is an up-and-coming rapper hailing from Brooklyn. She’s been generating a lot of internet buzz lately from underground music tastemakers like Vice and The Fader since releasing her LK-47 Pt. II mixtape early last year. Though she’s gaining more fame and attention by the day, the enigmatic rapper’s identity still remains unknown, and she only ever appears wearing ski masks.
Felix Jaehn
Young German producer Felix Jaehn earned his breakthrough with his 2014 remix of OMI’s song “Cheerleader,” which became an international hit. As of this year, his single “Ain’t Nobody (Loves Me Better),” which is a remix of the classic Rufus and Chaka Khan single “Ain’t Nobody,” topped the charts in Germany as well as in several other European countries.
Andra Day
Classically trained singer Andra Day has a powerful voice and retro sound that evokes the greats like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Etta James. After releasing outrageously successful covers that became some of the most popular videos on YouTube, Day signed with Warner Bros Records. Her debut album Cheers To The Fall just came out this August.
Mercer
Parisian DJ Mercer earned his big break when Hardwell heard his track “Welcome to the Jungle” and released it on his label. Soon, he was earning similar support from the likes of Steve Aoki, David Guetta, Zedd, Martin Garrix, Tiesto, Avicii, Steve Angello, and a bunch of other big names in the world of EDM.
4B
4B is the DJ alias of musician Robert McKeon Jr. The young producer has garnered the support of artists like Diplo, DJ Snake, Tiesto, Steve Aoki, and more.
Wave Racer
Wave Racer is the alias of Sydney-based producer Tom Purcell. Already popular on huge radio stations like BBC Radio 1 and Australia’s Triple J, Wave Racer is ready to take the world by storm with his music.
Parade of Lights
Parade of Lights is an electronic rock band from Los Angeles. Their music fuses elements of rock, new wave, and shoegaze to create an ’80s-inspired pop blend influenced by groups like U2, Depeche Mode, and M83. This summer, Parade of Lights released their first full-length album, titled Feeling Electric.
Jared & The Mill
Jared & The Mill is a folk rock group from Phoenix led by frontman Jared Kolesar. They released their debut album, Western Expansion, in the fall of 2013. This spring, the band released a new EP called Life We Chose. This group will definitely appeal to fans of Mumford & Sons.
MIICS
MIICS is the DJ duo of Las Vegas natives Mikey Cross and Mike Uriarte. They come from very different musical backgrounds, one a former member of an internationally touring rock band and the other a lifelong fan of EDM, but nonetheless they come together to create great music as MIICS. The duo is sure to show their hometown some love when they play at the Life Is Beautiful Festival later this month.
Mercy Music
Mercy Music began as the solo project of musician Brendan Scholz. Now a three-piece band, the Vegas act has been on the rise in the local music scene. Mercy Music released their latest album, When I Die, I’m Taking You With Me, in 2014.
Jill & Julia
Vegas-based sister duo Jill & Julia is a rising act known for their style of alternative country music with perfectly synchronized harmonies. After signing with Lamon Records Nashville in 2013, they released a self-titled EP, which they followed this year with another EP called Cursed.