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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.
Last night, the 40 Watt hosted two newfangled Americana bands, firekid and Delta Spirit. Despite a sparse crowd and little fanfare, firekid – a two-piece Nashville group – delivered an interesting and varied set of reimagined roots music. Initially, they seemed like a group in the vein of Shy Girls, mixing whispered vocals with plucked guitar and hip hop beats. But it soon became clear that they were aiming for something bigger and not heard before. Singer/guitarist/sampling maestro Dillon Hodges and drummer Josh Kleppin combine traditional bluegrass and tex mex guitar picking – very skilled picking at that – with the hip hop beats of today’s top 40. The masterful guitar playing should come as no surprise, as Hodges won the National Guitar Championship at the age of 17, making him the second youngest person to ever do so. He struck as a contemporary of our own Sam Burchfield. Both traffic in blue-eyed soul that has clearly been practiced and perfected, and both are unabashed fans of big, poppy choruses, back porch cred be damned.
Hodges grew up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, which any music fan worth their salt knows as the birthplace of much of our favorite soul and southern oldies, a creative hotbed in the middle of nowhere. The highlight of the set was a “song about hipsters,” as Hodges introduced it (the heavily hipster Watt crowd was nonplussed), chronicling a metal band who traded in axes for banjos when the winds of changes shifted. “Everybody’s chasin’ the Americana dream,” he deadpanned, slyly knocking groups like Mumford & Sons, whose recent aesthetic change from suspenders to leather jackets proves Hodges’ point. But ironically, despite the Alabaman and Nashvillian ethos firekid so clearly possesses, one could easily lump them in with the very same bro country/brograss movements that irk them.
The song about hipsters even seemed to defend bro country at one point, noting that if Hank Williams is spinning in his grave, it’s not due to what’s happening in Nashville. Any way you slice it, roots music is going through growing pains and identity crises out the wazoo these days, and firekid are a perfect example. The group’s Nashville relocation, and its old and new ways of doing things, were on full display in their songs like “Getaway Car” and “Lay By Me”. The group even covered pop hits like “Bang Bang” and “FourFiveSeconds”, albeit a little less powerfully than the songs’ originally tigresses – if you’re gonna cover Ariana or Rihanna, you’ve gotta COMMIT. Songs where Hodges’ guitar playing was front and center were miles ahead of the sample- and synth-laden ones – it didn’t help that the 40 Watt’s continuing sound problems drowned out his vocals and overpowered the drums. Fortunately, as Hodges revealed in our recent firekid interview, their upcoming record will heavily showcase his flatpicking. But no matter where your chronological preferences lie, this is quite literally a band like no other.
Firekid is the project of guitarist and singer Dillon Hodges (you may know him and the second youngest person ever to win the National Guitar Championship at the age of 17 #prodigy).
Since gaining recognition as a bluegrass artist, Dillon has transformed himself, taking on the moniker firekid and expanding his genre. He has also signed with Atlantic Records and will be putting out his first full length album this spring.
We grabbed a few minutes with Dillon to talk about the recording process, summer touring, and of course, his upcoming album. Check our interview below, and Athens readers, be sure to get over to the 40 Watt tonight to catch firekid opening for Delta Spirit. Gonna be a great show.
Vinyl Mag: What made you decide to record in Muscle Shoals? How did it influence your sound?
Dillon Hodges: Muscle Shoals is my home. It’s where I grew up and where I’ve recorded ever record prior. It’s always been a part of who I am, and I didn’t want this new project to be missing that.
VM: Where does the name firekid come from? As a singer-songwriter, why not stick to your name?
DH: If the firekid project had been more singer-songwriter, I think I would’ve kept my name; but, when the tracks started to fall into place, it became apparent how much of a departure from previous works it was. The name sort of tells that story. It’s a rebirth.
VM: How did it feel getting signed to Atlantic? How did that come about?
DH: Being signed is a dream for most artists, but I couldn’t have imagined being associated with a legendary label like Atlantic. The history and romance between Muscle Shoals and Atlantic runs deep. The label is largely responsible for the putting the music of The Shoals on the map, and The Shoals is responsible for some of the greatest works the label ever put out.
VM: You’re playing at Hangout Fest in May. Are you excited to play a huge fest in your home state?
DH: Hangout has been on the bucket list. I’ve never been before, so it’ll be perfect to experience it for the first time also as a performing artist.
VM: Who are you most looking forward to seeing there?
DH: Tough call…definitely planning on seeing Foo Fighters, Beck, and Joey Bada$$.
VM: “Magic Mountain” is a strong departure from your “Dillon Hodges” sound – what inspired the new direction?
DH: The inspiration for the project definitely comes from a change in the songwriting style. The songs themselves were the inspiration for the sound. They dictated a lot of the production.
VM: How have followers reacted? The reviews have been fantastic (congrats!).
DH: Feedback from friends and fans has been encouraging. Much time and love has been poured over this project. Positive reviews were never the goal, but they can certainly let you know if you’re on to something.
VM: Do you have anything coming up for Record Store Day? Are you looking forward to any releases?
DH: Firekid doesn’t have anything coming out on RSD this year, but I’ll be picking up The Black Key & Junior Kimbrough record and J Dilla “Love.”
VM: Can you give us any info on your upcoming album?
DH: The record will be out in a couple months. Most of the content was recorded in Florence, AL. Overdubs took place in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. It’s a record driven by the songwriting; however, my flatpicking will be featured more on this record than any previous release.
VM: Are you releasing any more singles soon?
DH: We’ll be putting out a live EP in week or so!
VM: What is next for firekid?
DH: We are currently working on rolling out a ton of new online content. It’ll feature new music and live performances. We’re also excited to be continuing our tour. We’re constantly adding date, check out my page for updates!
*See you guys tonight at the 40 Watt!
Apr 14 40 Watt Club w/ Delta Spirit Athens, GA Tickets
Apr 17 The Music Farm w/ Delta Spirit Columbia, SC
Apr 22 Hal and Mal’s Jackson, MS
Apr 23 Scruffy City Hall Knoxville, TN
Apr 24 Bourgie Nights Wilmington, NC
Apr 25 Isis Restaurant & Music Hall Asheville, NC
May 13 Zanzabar Louisville, KY
May 14 High Watt Nashville, TN
May 15 Hangout Music Fest Gulf Shores, AL
May 16 Hangout Music Fest Gulf Shores, AL
May 17 Hangout Music Fest Gulf Shores, AL
