Canada’s Pemberton Music Festival Once Again Draws a Star-Studded Lineup
After a successful first year, Canada’s Pemberton Music Festival is back for another go, once again boasting big-name headliners. This year the top acts include Kendrick Lamar, The Black Keys, J. Cole, Tiesto, and more. The 2015 Pemberton Music Festival will take place July 16-19 in Pemberton, British Columbia, and will be a four-day music and camping experience at the festival grounds at Mt. Currie.
The Pemberton Festival is more than just music too. Throughout the weekend attendees will also have the chance to see some of the biggest names in comedy, including Tim & Eric, Reggie Watts, Tig Notaro, and more! Check out our detailed look at the full lineup below, and leave us a comment letting us know which acts you’re most excited for. If you want to learn about other music festivals taking place in North America this year, be sure to take a look at our 2015 Music Festivals Guide.
2015 Lineup
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.
The Black Keys
Blues rock aficionados The Black Keys, led by Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, have established themselves as one of the biggest rock bands of this generation. The band has won seven Grammy Awards since 2011 and racked up three more nominations this year, so they are without a doubt living up to their rock star status. 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 at Pemberton this summer.
J. Cole
As the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, rapper J. Cole was surely the subject of much attention in 2011. That year, the label released his debut album, “Cole World: The Sideline Story,” which debuted at the top of the U.S. Billboard 200. He followed that up in 2013 with his equally successful, chart-topping sophomore record “Born Sinner.” This past fall, J. Cole dropped his highly anticipated third album, “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” which again debuted atop the Billboard 200, making it his third consecutive #1 album. Though it has only been out for a few months, the record has already been certified platinum.
Tiesto
Dutch DJ/producer Tiesto is indisputably one of the biggest names in EDM. He has established himself as one of the world’s foremost DJs, having released several chart-topping hits and receiving a number of awards and honors, including a Grammy Award. He built up his popularity with his famed six-hour solo live sets, which caused the world to take notice of his skill and led to him becoming one of the most sought-after DJs and remixers.
Hozier
Andrew Hozier-Byrne, a.k.a. Hozier, is an Irish singer-songwriter who has gained tremendous success recently with his 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 adds that influence to his music and does it so well. He 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.
Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi burst onto the hip hop scene with his 2008 hit single “Day ‘n’ Nite.” Born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, he grew up in Cleveland, Ohio before moving to Brooklyn to pursue his rapping career. There, he hooked up with A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs’ label Fool’s Gold and released his debut EP, which contained his breakout single and launched him to fame. Cudi dropped his latest album in early 2014, and his next record is expected out sometime this year.
Missy Elliott
Arguably the most successful female rapper out there, Missy Elliott has achieved an unparalleled superstar status over the years. Huge turn-of-the-century hits like “Work It” and “Get Ur Freak On” would help her become the best-selling female rapper of her time, with six platinum albums to her name. Though nowadays she may be overshadowed by newcomers like Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea, let’s not forget that Miss E has five Grammy Awards on them, so these newbies have some catching up to do. 2015 has already been pretty big for Missy Elliott. So far this year, she appeared in the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history alongside Katy Perry and collaborated with Skrillex and Diplo’s Jack U project. Now she’s at work on a Pharrell-produced comeback album, which will be her first record since 2005’s “The Cookbook.”
Weezer
In the post-grunge era of the 1990s, few bands emerged as successful as Weezer. The endearingly nerdy rockers emerged 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,” dropped last year and debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, proving that they’re still just as relevant 20 years into their career.
Jane’s Addiction
During the band’s beginnings in the late 1980s, Jane’s Addiction piqued the interest of several record labels before signing with Warner Bros. in 1988. That year they released their debut studio album, “Nothing’s Shocking.” The album did well enough, but its 1990 follow-up, “Ritual de lo Habitual,” was the band’s real commercial breakthrough. After releasing the record, the band went on an extensive tour, which included a headlining performance at the first-ever Lollapalooza festival, which was famously co-founded by the group’s frontman Perry Farrell. Jane’s Addiction has had its ups, downs, breakups and reunions over the years, but nonetheless came back strong in 2011 to release their latest album, “The Great Escape Artist.” Though they have only released four studio albums to date, Jane’s Addiction has still established a lasting legacy as one of the most influential alternative rock bands of the late twentieth century.
The String Cheese Incident
Formed in Colorado in 1993, The String Cheese Incident consists of mandolinist/violinist Michael Kang, guitarist Bill Nershi, bassist Keith Moseley, pianist Kyle Hollingsworth, and percussionists Michael Travis and Jason Hann. The band initially played gigs at ski resorts in exchange for free lift tickets, but as they became more and more popular they played more shows and eventually established their own label, SCI Fidelity, on which they released their debut album, “Born on the Wrong Planet,” in 1997. The String Cheese Incident has since released a number of studio and live albums. Their most recent effort, “A Song in My Head,” came out in 2014.
Bassnectar
Lorin Ashton, better known by his stage name Bassnectar, is an American DJ and record producer. He is known for his live performances and stunning light shows, and sells out huge venues all over the country. Not only has he proven himself as an influential EDM artist, but he has also stood out over the years as a social activist and philanthropist. In 2011, he donated one dollar per ticket sold on his tour to charity for what was known as the “Dollar Per Basshead” campaign, for which he raised $250,000 and let his fans vote for which charities it would benefit.
Passion Pit
Passion Pit began as the solo project of musician Michael Angelakos. What started as a Valentine’s Day gift for his girlfriend at the time eventually became his debut EP, “Chunk of Change.” The record’s catchy electronic indie pop songs, particularly the standout track “Sleepyhead,” caught the attention of Frenchkiss Records, who re-released the EP and put out Angelakos’ two subsequent records. Now a full-fledged band, Passion Pit has become one of the most commercially successful indie acts of the last few years. They recently released their third album, “Kindred,” which dropped on April 21.
M.I.A.
When M.I.A. emerged on the scene with her 2003 debut single “Galang,” critics were quick to pronounce her the next big thing. Once her first full-length record, “Arular,” hit shelves two years later, she was receiving rave reviews from all the major publications – Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The New Yorker, and more were singing her praises. Her highly anticipated follow-up album “Kala” came in 2007 and brought her into the mainstream with its catchy, Clash-sampling lead single “Paper Planes.” M.I.A. brings a mix of just about every genre into her music: electro, reggae, hip hop, rap, and a myriad of world music styles, and combines it all with political lyrics and captivating storytelling.
Billy Talent
Canadian punk rock band Billy Talent formed in 1993 and became a fixture in the Toronto indie music scene before hitting the mainstream nearly a decade later. Their breakthrough came with their self-titled 2003 label debut, which earned the band two Juno Awards in the coveted categories of Album of the Year and Group of the Year. Their debut album would go on to be certified triple platinum in Canada, paving the way for the success of their subsequent efforts.
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 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.
Sam Roberts Band
Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Sam Roberts launched his career with his independently-released 2001 EP “The Inhuman Condition.” The success of the record earned him a deal with Universal Music, who released his proper debut “We Were Born in a Flame” in 2003. The album went platinum in Canada and earned him several Juno Awards. Now releasing music under the name Sam Roberts Band, Roberts put out his fifth studio record, titled “Lo-Fantasy,” in 2014.
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, 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.
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.
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.”
Dada Life
Swedish DJ duo Dada Life formed in 2006 and consists of producers Olle Corneer and Stefan Engblom. They released their debut album, “Just Do the Dada,” in 2009, followed by their second, “The Rules of Dada,” in 2012.
Portugal. The Man
Portugal. The Man was formed in Wasilla, Alaska by former Anatomy of a Ghost members John Gourley and Zach Carothers. The band has been known to defy genre and experiment with a variety of styles, layering Gourley’s impeccable falsetto over everything from classic rock to synthesizers to grandiose horn sections. Their eclectic sound has thus resulted in a repertoire of seven vastly different studio albums. Portugal. The Man’s latest record, “Evil Friends,” came out in 2013 and was produced by Danger Mouse.
PartyNextDoor
Toronto-based producer Jahron Brathwaite makes hip hop/R&B-influenced tracks under the name PartyNextDoor. As the first artist signed to rapper Drake’s label OVO Sound, he was already turning heads ahead of his 2013 debut. After issuing two successful EPs and touring with Drake, PartyNextDoor released his first full-length, “PartyNextDoor Two,” which peaked at the top position on the Billboard R&B chart in 2014.
Chvrches
Glasgow-based synthpop trio Chvrches mercifully stylizes their name with a V in order to make it easier to search for them on the internet. The group formed in 2011 and is comprised of vocalist Lauren Mayberry along with keyboardists Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. In 2012, the band’s songs “The Mother We Share” and “Lies” earned them internet buzz and the chance to open shows for Passion Pit on their U.K. tour. Chvrches later finished fifth in BBC’s prestigious Sound of 2013 poll, and that same year released their acclaimed debut album, “The Bones of What You Believe.”
Chet Faker
Australian electronic artist Nick Murphy opted to take on an alias in order to avoid confusion between himself and another Australian artist of the same name. He decided to make music under the name Chet Faker, an obvious homage to the late Chet Baker, whose music he listened to growing up. He launched his career with a downtempo cover of the ’90s hit “No Diggity,” which was used in a 2013 Super Bowl commercial for Beck’s Sapphire. In 2014 he released his debut album, “Built on Glass,” which debuted at #1 on Australia’s ARIA charts.
RL Grime
DJ/producer Henry Steinway, aka RL Grime, makes music in the “trap” genre, combining electronic and hip hop to make bass-heavy beats. RL Grime first emerged in 2011 with a series of tracks uploaded to the internet that were released a year later on the WeDidIt label. He kept building up his following with more original music as well as several bootleg remixes. His most recent album, “Void,” came out in 2014 and features appearances from Big Sean, Boys Noize, and How To Dress Well.
Banks
Banks (born Jillian Banks) began writing songs when she was a teenager growing up in California. After a few years of making music just for herself, she uploaded her song “Before I Ever Met You” on SoundCloud in 2013. Soon she found herself with a record deal, and quickly went from an unknown LA songstress to an international music star. Banks released her full-length debut album, the dark and moody “Goddess,” last September.
De La Soul
American hip-hop trio De La Soul formed in the late ’80s in Long Island, New York. They came to attention with their hit debut album, “3 Feet High and Rising,” which arrived in 1989. The album promoted the ideas of peace and love, which led many to label the group as hippies. This stereotyping frustrated the group’s members, who made a conscious decision to change their style later on because of it. They have recorded several successful albums since then, and their latest release is a track called “The People,” which came out in December and features Chuck D of Public Enemy.
STS9
Sound Tribe Sector 9, abbreviated as STS9, is an instrumental electronic rock band that formed in Georgia in the late ‘90s. STS9 is guitarist Hunter Brown, percussionist Jeffree Lerner, keyboardist David Phipps, drummer Zach Velmer, and bassist Alana Rocklin. Over the years, the band has sold out shows over the country, and consistently ranks on Pollstar’s top touring charts. Their latest EP, “When the Dust Settles,” debuted at #1 on the iTunes electronic chart.
Duke Dumont
Adam Dyment, aka Duke Dumont, is a Grammy-nominated DJ and producer based in London. He has done plenty of well-known remix work for artists like Lily Allen, Santigold, and AlunaGeorge among others, but recently he has had several big hits of his own. In 2013 his big breakthrough came with his original track “Need U (100%),” which hit #1 in the U.K. and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
Matt and Kim
Matt & Kim is an indie dance duo featuring vocalist/keyboardist Matt Johnson and drummer Kim Schifino, who came together in 2004 while they were both attending the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. They released their eponymous debut album in 2006 and built up their profile through heavy touring. Their following album, “Grand,” came out in 2009 and featured their hit single “Daylight,” which earned them tremendous commercial success. Matt & Kim have since released three more albums, with their latest, titled “New Glow,” having just come out in April.
Earl Sweatshirt
LA-based mapper and Odd Future member Thebe Kgositsile is better known by his stage name Earl Sweatshirt. With an affinity for morbid themes and one-word song titles, he released a successful and critically acclaimed mixtape before reaching his eighteenth birthday. After taking a several-year hiatus to attend boarding school in Samoa, Earl Sweatshirt came back in 2013 with his full-length debut album, “Doris,” followed by a sophomore album that dropped earlier this year.
Flux Pavilion
Flux Pavilion is the stage name of English dance music producer and DJ Joshua Steele. Steele began releasing music as Flux Pavilion in 2008, but his 2010 single “I Can’t Stop” is what really put him on the map. A year after the single was released, it was sampled for Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaborative single “Who Gon Stop Me.” In addition to the enormous success of “I Can’t Stop,” Flux Pavilion has also collaborated with big-name artists like Major Lazer, Steve Aoki, and Childish Gambino.
Dan Mangan + Blacksmith
Dan Mangan is a Vancouver-based, two time Juno Award-winning musician. Having released three albums under his name, Mangan enlisted the help of other Vancouver musicians and issued his fourth LP as Dan Mangan + Blacksmith. The album, titled “Club Meds,” was released in January of this year.
Father John Misty
Singer/songwriter Joshua Tillman, also known as J. Tillman, currently performs under the name Father John Misty. Formerly a member of indie band Fleet Foxes, he left the band in 2011 but continues to make soft, folk-inspired music. In 2012 he released his debut album “Fear Fun” through Sub Pop Records. His sophomore effort, titled “I Love You, Honeybear,” came out in February of this year.
Galactic featuring Macy Gray
Galactic is a jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana. The band is known to invite special guests to play onstage with them, and their upcoming performance at Pemberton is no exception, as they’ll be performing with well-known R&B singer Macy Gray.
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.
Paul Oakenfold
English producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold was a key player in the British house music scene of the late ’80s, hosting club nights that introduced thousands to the genre. He is also responsible for forming Perfecto Records, which became one of the most influential dance labels of the 1990s. Throughout his career, he has been a highly sought-after remixer and producer, and has toured with hugely popular artists like Madonna and U2. His upcoming album, “Pop Killer,” features the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gnarls Barkley, OneRepublic, and B.o.B.
Courtney Barnett
Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett first entered the spotlight with her self-released EP “I’ve Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris.” She began to catch attention in her country of Australia, and eventually the influential website Pitchfork named her song “Avant Gardener” as one of the Best New Tracks of summer 2013. She released her second EP later that year and began touring in the U.S. and Europe. In 2014 she signed with Mom + Pop Records and released a double EP reissue. Barnett’s latest album, “Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit,” just came out this month.
Cut Copy
Australian electronic band Cut Copy formed in 2001 in Melbourne. Originally conceived as the solo project of producer Dan Whitford, Cut Copy eventually expanded to a four-piece band. Now, the group is comprised of Whitford on vocals, keyboard, and guitar, Tim Hoey on guitar and sampler, Mitchell Scott on drums, and Ben Browning on bass. With two ARIA awards and a Grammy nomination behind them, Cut Copy has been established as a leading force in the current electronic music scene.
Bleachers
NYC indie pop outfit Bleachers was formed by Jack Antonoff, the guitarist for the popular rock band Fun. Bleachers’ debut album was released in 2014, and its lead single, the catchy and anthemic “I Wanna Get Better,” quickly rose to the top of the Billboard Alternative charts. Bleachers’ sound has an obvious ’80s influence, but the band combines modern production techniques with that to make music that’s fresh and interesting.
Ryn Weaver
Ryn Weaver is the stage name of American singer and songwriter Erin Wuthrich. She released her debut single “OctoHate” 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 she subsequently released her debut EP “Promises” two months later.
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.”
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Vancouver-based singer/songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. got his start when he passed along his demos to former Girls bassist JR White. Soon, he was recording with White and earned a record deal with True Panther. His debut album, “Goon,” came out in early 2015, and features production credits from JR White, the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney and Ariel Rechtshaid.
Real Estate
New Jersey indie rock band Real Estate have been a consistent critical success, with three highly acclaimed albums full of warm, jangly, layered guitars and sun-soaked melodies. The band was formed in 2008 in the suburban town of Ridgewood, New Jersey by vocalist/guitarist Martin Courtney, guitarist Matt Mondanile, bassist Alex Bleeker, and drummer Etienne Duguay (who left the band in 2011 and has since been replaced by Jackson Pollis). Their latest album, “Atlas,” may be their best yet, and in its release received stellar reviews and charted in both the U.S. and U.K.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from the legendary jazz venue Preservation Hall in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The band keeps with tradition to this day and performs New Orleans-style jazz music. The band’s lineup has varied since the opening of Preservation Hall in 1961, and the group performs both at the New Orleans venue and on tour in venues around the world.
Flatbush Zombies
Hip hop group Flatbush Zombies formed in 2010, unsurprisingly in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. The group is comprised of three rappers who go by the names Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice, and Erick “Arc” Elliott. In 2012, they released their debut mixtape, “D.R.U.G.S.,” which actually stands for “Death and Reincarnation Under God’s Supervision.” The group followed that up in 2013 with a second mixtape called “BetterOffDEAD.”
Yung Lean
Still just a teenager, Swedish rapper/producer Yung Lean is a promising young talent. In his live shows, he performs with his crew called Sad Boys. Yung Lean dropped his debut studio album, “Unknown Memory,” in 2014.
Givers
Indie pop band Givers formed in the late 2000s in Lafayette, Louisiana. The group is currently comprised of vocalist/percussionist Tiffany Lamson, vocalist/guitarist Taylor Guarisco, drummer/vocalist Kirby Campbell, bassist Josh LeBlanc, and keyboardist Nick Stephan. Givers released their debut album, “In Light,” in the summer of 2011, and enjoyed both commercial and critical success, particularly for their cheerful hit single “Up Up Up.”
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 late night television shows like “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Conan.”
Ryan Hemsworth
Canadian DJ/producer Ryan Hemsworth combines the styles of hip hop and indie pop. He began his music career by producing recordings in his bedroom, when one of them ended up on the popular music website Fader. Soon, he would be working with artists like Quadron, Shady Blaze, and Lana Del Rey. He released his debut solo EP in 2012, and followed that up with a full-length album a year later.
July Talk
Formed in 2012 in Toronto, alternative/blues band July Talk consists of vocalists Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay, bassist Josh Warburton, and drummer Danny Miles. The group released their eponymous debut album in 2012, after which they toured with bands like Billy Talent, Weezer, Arkells, and Tegan and Sara. In 2014, July Talk earned a Juno nomination for Breakthrough Group of the Year.
BADBADNOTGOOD
Toronto-based trio BadBadNotGood consists of keyboardist Matthew Tavares, bassist Chester Hansen, and drummer Alexander Sowinski. They gained recognition with their jazz-oriented reinterpretations of hip hop songs that led to them working with musicians like Tyler, The Creator, Frank Ocean, and Ghostface Killah. They have put out four studio albums to date, with their latest, “Sour Soul,” released earlier this year.
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
Charles Bradley dreamt of being a musician ever since his sister took him to see James Brown perform at the Apollo theater in 1962. He overcame a multitude of obstacles before he made it, including homelessness, stage fright, and his band members getting drafted during the Vietnam War. Despite all the hardships and setbacks, Bradley was determined to accomplish his dream of being a musician, and performed in local clubs as a James Brown impersonator under the name Black Velvet. His hard work paid off as he eventually caught the attention of a record label. Throughout his career he has released several singles with a number of different bands, and he has released two studio albums.
Judah & The Lion
Folk trio Judah & The Lion hails from Nashville, Tennessee. The band consists of singer/guitarist Judah Akers, mandolinist Brian Macdonald, and banjoist Nate Zuercher. They released their debut EP, “Sweet Tennessee,” in 2013, succeeded by a sophomore EP, “Kids These Days,” in 2014.
Gay Nineties
Vancouver quartet Gay Nineties is led by singer/guitarist Parker Bossley, who has performed as a member of acts like Fur Trade, Mounties, and Hot Hot Heat. The group’s lineup is rounded out by bassist Daniel Knowlton, drummer Malcolm Holt, and keyboardist Bruce Ledingham. In early 2015, Gay Nineties released their debut EP called “Liberal Guilt.”
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 may be an appealing alternative with their more upbeat and club-friendly vibe.
Beats Antique
Beats Antique is an electronic and world music trio consisting of David Satori, Zoe Jakes, and Tommy “Sidecar” Cappel. Their sound is very unique, incorporating a variety of world music genres like Middle Eastern, Balkan wedding music, flamenco, French gypsy jazz, hip hop, reggae, and many other styles, all fused together with electronic techniques. Their music obviously appeals to world music fans, but because of their electronic spin on things, their sound attracts a lot of electronic and dance music fans as well, making for a widespread and diverse audience.
Kali Uchis
Colombia-born, Virginia-based artist Kali Uchis released her first mixtape, “Drunken Babbie,” in 2012. She has since collaborated with the likes of Diplo, Snoop Dogg, Kaytranada, and Tyler the Creator, and in February of this year released an EP called “Por Vida.”
Spooky Black (Corbin)
St. Paul, Minnesota’s Spooky Black (who occasionally goes by the name Corbin) is just a teenager, yet he performs with a maturity beyond his years. His 2014 album “Black Silk” was wildly successful, thanks to the popularity of the single “Without U,” the video for which has garnered over 2 million views on YouTube.
The Suffers
The Suffers is a ten-piece soul band from Houston, Texas consisting of lead vocalist Kam Franklin, guitarist Alex Zamora, guitarist Kevin Bernier, bassist Adam Castaneda, saxophonist Cory Wilson, trumpeter Jon Durbin, trombonist Michael Razo, percussionist Jose Luna, keyboardist Patrick Kelly, and drummer Nick Zamora. Since the band formed in 2011, they have received eleven Houston Press Music Awards.
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.” In 2014 he released his latest EP, “No Reason,” and later toured with Porter Robinson.
DJ Dodger Stadium
DJ Dodger Stadium is the duo of LA producers Jerome LOL and Samo Sound Boy. Their debut album, “Friend of Mine,” is the first full-length issue from the Los Angeles dance label Body High, which the pair co-founded together.
Bas
In 2013, Queens-based rapper Bas became the first artist signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville Records. A year later, he released his debut album “Last Winter,” which includes a guest appearance from J. Cole himself. Following the release of the record, Bas embarked on a national tour supporting rapper Ab-Soul.
Sango
Sango is a rising producer based out of Michigan. In addition to his music, Sango is also a graphic artist, and designs all of his own cover art and makes visuals to go along with his work. He released the album “North” in 2013.
JackLNDN
Promising young producer Jack Aisher, better known as JackLNDN, has been stirring up buzz around the blogosphere lately with his summer-ready beats. The British producer has a background in classical music, but turned his attention to dance music after experiencing the club scene firsthand and deciding that he needed to be a part of it. JackLNDN’s latest release is an EP called “Summer Never Ends.”
PPL MVR
Only ever seen dressed in hilarious Yeti costumes, the band referred to as PPL MVR is enigmatic to say the least. The group is a trio of musicians that go by the names SNWBLL, K-PO, and Q, but other than that nobody knows their true identities. Cue internet speculation – rumor has it they’re associated with (or perhaps they are) Brand New, as the band recently posted a hidden link to a PPL MVR video on their website, but for now the mystery that is PPL MVR remains unsolved.
Boyfriend
New Orleans-based rapper Boyfriend has been getting a lot of attention lately for her in-your-face, taboo-breaking style. Between her NSFW lyrics and raunchy music videos, she’s caught people’s attention and has been the subject of plenty of internet buzz in recent months. In 2014, Boyfriend released a two-part EP called “Love Your Boyfriend.”
Maggie Koerner
Louisiana native Maggie Koerner debuted in 2011 with her album “Quarter Life,” followed by a sophomore record called “Neutral Ground” in 2013. Recently, she gained attention as a long-term guest vocalist for popular funk band Galactic. Currently, the New Orleans-based singer/songwriter is working on her third album, which should be released sometime later this year.
Comedy Lineup
Tim & Eric
Cheech & Chong
Reggie Watts
T.J. Miller
Doug Benson
Eric Andre
Harland Williams
Tig Notaro
Ali Wong
Ben Gleib
Gorburger
Chris Trew
Air Sex Championships
Looking for Pemberton Music Festival tickets? Get yours on TickPick, the no-fee ticket marketplace.
Related Articles
Recent Posts
- Dijon 2025 Tour Dates, Tickets, and Presale Codes
- J.I.D 2025 Tour Dates, Tickets, and Presale Codes
- Joey Bada$$ “Dark Aura Tour:” Dates, Tickets, Presales & Setlist Predictions
- Adam Sandler’s “You’re My Best Friend” Tour: Dates, What to Expect, and How to Get Cheap Tickets
- Pentatonix 2025 “Christmas in the City” Tour: Dates, Presale Codes, and Where to Buy Tickets