FIREFLY FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Today happened to be the exception, but believe it or not the weather is slowly and steadily beginning to improve. Jack Frost is slowly beginning to pass out and summer sun will be soon come out to shine upon all of us. As we approach the spring and summer months many of you have begun marking your calendars and trying to decide which festivals you’d like to hit up. While I’ve done a preview on the top acts to watch at most of the major festivals announced so far, I’ve kept one of my favorite lineups for last.

Firefly Festival may be one of the newer major festivals on the scene, but they’ve made a dent in the festival circuit each year, and continue to do so in 2015. I’ll of course be heading down to the magical land of Dover so if you are to, make sure to schedule your set times around these artists! FYI – I didn’t put Sir Paul on this list because if he’s not on your watch list already then you’re an idiot and don’t deserve to go to Firefly.

 

Ryn Weaver

This newcomer to the scene made a splash in 2014 with “OctaHate.” Apparetly her real name is Aryn Wüthrich, and while with a name like that she may be from Westeros, her soul-filled electro-pop keeps her right up there with the top young pop singers today.

 

Twin Peaks

Caught these fellas from Chicago at Baby’s All Right back in November and their energy and the dancing crowd literally brought down the ceiling. That all happened with one of the members limited to playing from a chair due to a leg injury. Expect even more from these rockers now that they’re back at full force.

 

Grizfolk

This alt-rock band from L.A. via Sweden have been on the road constantly since their 2014 debut EP release, usually with label mates Bastille. Their good vibes style music makes them easy to dance to, especially with all those good festival vibes going down on night one of Firefly. Think of them as a less lame Coldplay.

 

Manchester Orchestra – Good ‘ol American rock music from the heart of the south- that’s what Manchester Orchestra brings to the table. With multiple, well-received albums coming out since 2004, their fresh sound of guitar rock goes from jams to chill acoustic ballads. They’re perfect for a summer outdoor festival.

 

Knox Hamilton – Another southern rock band, this guitar swinging rock group is a bit more tailored towards the pop side of rock, finding a place somewhere between Phoenix and Vampire Weekend.

 

Linus Young – Think of these guys like a modern spin of Buckingham-Nicks. Made up of dual singers Iris Belson and Joseph Walker, the group’s harmonic dynamics find comfort in a warm mix of pop-rock and indie-singer-songwriter.

 

Modest Mouse – Until recently these guys haven’t put out an album in like eight years, so it’s been great seeing them back on the road and with new songs to play. We caught the band a few weeks back at Webster Hall in support of the new album Strangers To Ourselves and they sounded pretty damn good. Who needs Johnny Marr around anyway?

 

Zella Day – Hopefully you’ve given our Whiskey Session with Zella Day back during CMJ a lookie look. From the deserts of Arizona to the bright lights of L.A. Zella Day has incorporated her singer-writer foundation with a sexy mix of modern electric themes.

 

Verite – Indie pop is seeing a wave of female singers who are coming out with powerful vocals and putting that Britney/Christina/lip synching chapter of pop singers in the past. Verite comes in with beats and rhythms to her music more fitted for dirty Brooklyn warehouse parties, which are way more fun.

 

Broods – The male/female combination thrives with a musical foundation of deep electronic. Very similar to contemporaries like ASTR but with a toned down melodic style featuring Georgia’s singing ability.

 

Børns – Steadily earning a following of fans across the country, Børns is making his name and music known and will be making all the rounds and stops of the summer festival circuit here in the U.S. His folk-based electo-rock is helping bring out a new wave of songwriters that rock desperately needs in 2015.

 

Article by: Tommy Shackleford

 

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