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Shaky Knees season is upon us. If you have your tickets and don’t quite know who to go see tomorrow (or if you’re wondering if you’d like to jump on it last-minute) we present to you our 15 picks for emerging artists who we believe are most worth your time (and sweat!) at this wonderful festival:

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

In the mood for danceable garage rock? Melbourne’s Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever‘s nonlinear jangle and driving blend of indie rock will definitely get the pit to a rolling boil. Excuse all the coffee puns, but the energy that this band exudes might perk you up more than any espresso ever could.

Welles

If you’re in the mood for more of a more contemplative set, Welles might be more your speed. Plain spoken, matter of fact lyrics paired with expansive, driving Americana influenced rock all add up to an engrossing show with an emphasis on lyrical content. Read up on our track by track of Welles’ debut EP ‘Codeine’ here.

Marlon Williams

If you want something even quieter, maybe even a show you can sit down at, look out for New Zealand’s Marlon Williams‘ set. Eschewing the country trappings for more lushly orchestrated quietly beautiful folk songs, Williams’ vocals take the forefront. His widely praised distinctive singing voice both calms and enraptures, so if you’re looking to cozy up for a while, you’ll be hard pressed to find somewhere better.

Amasa Hines

Amasa Hines is a band, not a person. Not only are they a band: they’re a tight knit unit drawing on influences ranging from James Brown, TV on the Radio, and DIIV. Being omnivorous with their influence is what gives them an edge: they can ride on waves of feedback but the soulful delivery of the lyrics will ensure that no one is looking at their shoes while the waves of sound hit you from the stage.

Sun Seeker

Now, I was tempted to use the analogy of a bowl of southern-ass grits falling on the band Pavement, but the fact that they’re hot enough to get signed to Jack White‘s label Third Man Records should be enough to entice fans of both the Nashville Sound and slacker rock fans alike.

Charly Bliss

VHS filters are all the rage lately. But. Can they wear it well? With Charly Bliss the answer is a resounding YES! Mining the poppier aspects of ’90s college rock with a millenial sense of irony and purpose, Charly Bliss make throwback rock for folks who know that you need some substance underneath your Instagram filter.

Broncho

When we talk about #clout, sometimes it just means having been at the right place at the right time. Who knows, but Broncho‘s music has been on multiple television shows like Girls and Santa Clarita Diet. Their lightly atmospheric mood music is a great accompaniment to a rose tinted afternoon in the Atlanta heat.

The Voidz

You can’t talk about the Voidz without mentioning that their front man is the one and only Julian Casablancas of Strokes fame (and one-time Shaky Knees headliner). However the Voidz are very much NOT the Strokes. With noisy, dense electronic arrangements, hair metal pastiche, and sheer madness making up their solid as hell second album, their tight live show will definitely be a sight to behold, especially for all those Julian fans out there.

Mt. Joy

Folk rock anyone? Philadelphia’s Mt. Joy deliver in spades. Still riding high on the viral success of their “Deadhead Jesus” song “Astrovan”, deliver slightly jaded, punchdrunk singalong music for those of us who want some rootsy fun, but aren’t shy about dishing the dirt with stories about addiction and growing up.

Wild Reeds

Now, did you think that we’d let the country genre slip through the cracks? Not with Wild Reeds. With rich, diverse instrumentation and beautiful vocal harmonies, their brisk, slightly experimental take on country rock should appeal to both un-ironic and ironic wearers of cowboy boots alike!

Post Animal

Who’s ready to rock out again? Post Animal have you covered. With strains of Thee Oh Sees, Pink Floyd, and King Tuff, the moshers in your friend group are likely to go wild alongside your more psyche tinged folks in the crowd.

Greta Van Fleet

More rock! Here at Vinyl Mag we’re no strangers to Greta Van Fleet‘s similarities to Led Zeppelin. If you’re in the mood for some ’70s throwback you have come to the right place. Bluesy guitars: check. High pitched screamalong vocals: check. Ready to get down in a sweaty mosh pit? You decide.

Frankie Rose

After all of that rock and roll I might need a chill pill. Do you like the Cocteau Twins? In that case look for Frankie Rose‘s set. They’ve got a swirling dream pop vibe that might be just what you need to cool down from some moshing—or coming up on some other stuff. Whatever floats your boat, you’ll definitely feel like you’re floating by the end of Frankie’s set.

Bayonne

While Shaky Knees is more rock focused, that doesn’t mean that fans of electronic music need to feel left out. Enter Madrid’s prodigal son Bayonne: electronic wunderkind. With pulsating and dense arrangements, if you don’t feel tempted to dance, just take all the layers in. Bayonne’s ear for samples and texture is bound to engross even the most skeptical listener.

Teenage Wrist

Teenage Wrist‘s name may imply some sort of unlearned youthfulness, but don’t be fooled—these boys make heavy rock that has been polished to a metallic sheen. Makes sense since they’re signed to Epitaph who have handled releases from the likes of Alkaline Trio and A Day to Remember.

No matter who you go see, make sure to take the time to maximize your enjoyment at the festival by staying hydrated and wearing ample UV protection! Happy Shaky Knees season, everyone!

Once again, Bonnaroo has hit it big with their impressive–and expansive–2016 lineup. With so many artists, deciding what acts to see in between the headliners can be a daunting task. That’s why we created a guide on the best up-and-coming acts to catch on The Farm this year.

1. The Record Company

There’s no mistaking that this trio has a sweet blues sound, but one cannot miss the underlying beats that make them oh so similar to an early rock ‘n’ roll band. Their debut album, Give it Back to You, was released in February and they are currently the #1 Triple A radio artist. We caught their set at Hangout just a few weeks ago and impressive is an understatement. This band is going places and you do not want to miss their performace this weekend.

2. Stokeswood

Atlanta-based Stokeswood will bring an incredibly unique and undeniable energy to the Club Stage. For their debut Bonnaroo performance, it’s a guarantee that the guys will bring pumping synths, dance vibes and powerful vocals. Their dynamic gives them a fierce electronic edge and it will leave you with songs that won’t want to get out of your head.

3. Lawrence

Led by siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence, this New York-based soul pop group blends old school and new school vibes to create a sound that will keep you hanging out at the front of the stage. With the release of their debut LP, Breakfast, it’s exciting to see the success this young duo has on the horizon.

4. Joseph

A trio of sisters, Joseph brings beautiful harmonies and earnest lyrics to the stage. Named after a small town in northeast Oregon, the indie folk act hails from Portland. Their debut album was released in 2014 and with the recent release of the upbeat single, “White Flag,” we are excited to see what the band has in store for the future.

5. Civil Twilight

Civil Twilight has a powerful sound that brushes on every corner of human emotion. The delicate lyrics make you think, while the rolling drumbeat and vibrant guitar vamps keep you intrigued. It’s easy to hear the dynamic beats inspired by their native home of South Africa, the connection that keeps the band going while they are far from home.

6. Whitney

With sounds that make you want to roll down your car windows and sing along, Whitney is one act you won’t want to miss at this year’s festival. Their debut album, Light Upon the Lake, was released early this month so the duo is sure to bring an exciting new sound to the stage and a high-energy performance that will keep you singing along.

7. Sun Club

Hailing from Baltimore, Md., effervescent indie poppers Sun Club put a colorful, punk-infused spin on traditional pop. In October, the band’s first full-length album will be available through ATO Records, making them one up-and-comer you will not want to miss.

8. Sunflower Bean

What do you get when you channel a passion for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the Velvets? The sweet sound that is Sunflower Bean. The indie trio hailing from NYC is sure to take the Bonnaroo stage by storm with their rock-influenced vocals and sweet riffs. Their debut album, Human Ceremony, is self-described as a “conflicting interest”—a mixture of dream pop and rock ‘n’ roll. The diversity this group brings to the stage makes them a must-see.

9. Sir the Baptist

Through the combination of pop, hip-hop, R&B and gospel, Sir the Baptist creates a sound that is truly unique and intriguing. With the deep-rooted mission of progressing people past the old ways of religious teachings and being a voice of positivity amongst an often negative landscape, Sir the Baptist not only brings an interesting sound to the stage, but an intriguing social message as well.

10. Grace Mitchell

Young artist Grace Mitchell has a fiery sound that puts an innovative and experimental twist on traditional pop music. The undeniable dance beats will keep you on your toes and her intriguing vocals will pull you to the front of the stage, making this one act you will not want to miss. The catchy single, “White Iversion,” was released earlier this year, paving the way for more exciting work from this artist.

11. Powers

Intimate, rambunctious and heartfelt are just a few adjectives that could be used to describe Powers. The electronic pop duo got their start as songwriters, creating tracks for big names including Selena Gomez, Christina Aguilera, Kylie Minogue and Skylar Gray and Eminem, but got their big break as artists with their debut EP, Legendary, in 2015. The infectious beats and contagious lyrics this duo brings to the stage is one you will want to add to your list.

12. Dylan LeBlanc

The soulful, bluesy vocals and guitar that make up Dylan LeBlanc can only be described as undeniably intriguing. His latest release, Cautionary Tale, highlights the singer’s maturity and obvious talent and takes the listener on a journey of clarity, truthfulness and purity.

13. Firekid

Hailing from Nashville, the indie folk project that is Firekid is shaded in synths and heavily influenced by bluegrass. The hit single, “Lay By Me,” topped the charts and grabbed the attention of indie folk lovers everywhere and there’s no doubt that there are many more exciting things to come from this artist.

14. Oh Wonder

London-based duo Oh Wonder craft mellow, slow-moving, R&B vibes that, although not fast-paced, are upbeat and perfect for the Bonnaroo stage. Their self-titled debut was released in 2015 and we can’t wait to see what exciting sounds this duo will create next.

15. Amasa Hines

With influences from a diverse range of soul, afro-beat, psychedelic, blues, dub and indie rock, the sounds of Arkansas-based Amasa Hines are as large as their wide range of influences. Their debut album was released in 2014 and we can’t wait to see what sweet sounds the band will release next.

16. Bully

The Nashville-based quartet brings a noisy, upbeat sound to the stage that is sure to keep you on your feet. With a sound undeniably influenced by grunge, the band has a unique sound and a raw talent. Their fiery debut album, Feels Like, was written, produced and engineered by lead vocalist Alicia Bognanno.

17. Mail the Horse

This Brooklyn-based quintet has a captivating folk-rock sound. Their newest record joins instrumentation of the late ‘60s with early ‘00s garage rock, making it an act you won’t want to miss.

Tag: Amasa Hines

Top 15 Artists to Watch: Shaky Knees 2018