BY JARED CALLAWAY
The premier EDM festival of Chicago, Spring Awakening, has moved to the suburbs for a limited time this summer. This festival will take place on June 7th through June 9th this year at Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates. The festival will be nearly double the size of last year and have five distinct stages. The acts performing include Zedd, Galantis, DJ Snake, and more! The current lineup can be found below and tickets are on sale here.
BY JONATHAN SOMMER
Hailing from Oakland, California, Stick Figure is a chart topping hit reggae funk band. Fronted by Scott Woodruff, they have put out more than five full length records in their time together. Their latest release Set In Stone has hit number one on both Billboard and iTunes Reggae charts. Originally from Duxbury, Massachusetts, Woodruff is a self-taught musician and producer that has now become a major musical figure and is now an integral part of the Levitate Music Festival that is held in Marshfield, Massachusetts every year (feat. Tedeschi Trucks, Nathaniel Rateliff, Rip & more).
Catch them on tour at any of their remaining dates:
4/4 Dallas, TX
4/5 Austin, TX
4/6 Houston, TX
4/7 Corpus Christi, TX
4/11 Minneapolis, MN
4/12 Omaha, NE
4/13 St. Louis, MO
4/13 Nashville, TN
4/18 Denver, CO
4/20 Morrison, CO
5/5 West Palm Beach, FL
5/24 Monterey, CA
7/14 Marshfield, MA
Tickets available here
BY EMMA SCHOORS
Jena Rose’s “Manners” showcases vocal abilities galore while maintaining a simple message of true love.
The song holds a funky pop beat that synchronizes nicely with Rose’s vocal range, of which the lyrics add a groovy edge. The lyrics themselves are tried and true ones of prioritizing personality in a healthy relationship. The chorus booms into slight falsettos and the chant-like consistency of “Just show me your manners.” This line wraps up the tune accurately, the verses reflecting the same simple plea.
Rose’s singing abilities are truly on display in this track, and any listener can see the complexity that her voice brings to the delicate lyrical content. The instrumentation departs enough from the casual beats that usually accompany these types of vocals, adding a type of cleanness to the tone of the whole song.
At just 18 years old, Rose is headed down a successful path in the music industry, and one listen to her new track can back that up.
BY NAZ MASSARO
The second annual Back to the Beach Festival, presented by Travis Barker (drummer of Blink 182) and John Feldmann (lead singer of Goldfinger), will be taking place April 27-28 in Huntington Beach.
This beach fest will cater to music fans of all ages. From pop-punk, to ska, to scream-o, there is something for everyone.
In addition to music, there will be endless amount of food vendors and craft beer! They also announced featuring a carnival midway, beach games and more. This is definitely a family event, with enough activities to fill your weekend.
Tickets on sale now at backtothebeachfest.com — single day ($49.99) and weekend passes ($79.99)
There are VIP and bundle options. Kids under 10 are free with paid adult admission.
The lineup:
Saturday
Blink-182
Goldfinger with Special Guests
Reel Big Fish
Streetlight Manifesto
The Aquabats
Save Ferris
The English Beat
The Drowns
Sunday
The Used
The Story So Far
Anthony Green
The Wonder Years
Less Than Jake
Story of the Year
Teenage Wrist
Lowlives
Website: backtothebeachfest.com
Facebook: facebook.com/backtothebeachfest
Instagram: instagram.com/backtothebeachfest
Hashtag: #backtothebeachfest
BY ZOE SALVUCCI
POTTERY
PHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI
Every year in Austin, thousands of musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and fans gather to celebrate and discover the latest trailblazers in each of the three industries. With SXSW 2019 having just wrapped up, here is part two of our artists to watch list.
1. Pottery (CA)
This young five-piece from Montreal only have two releases on their Spotify, but right after SXSW they’re kicking off a US tour supporting Sweden’s Viagra Boys. With post-punk sounds reminiscent of the UK and a look like an American indie band, Pottery is sure to bring their unique energy to audiences across the world.
2. Illiterate Light (US)
Virginia-based alternative rock duo Illiterate Light, made up of Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran, makes up for the lack of members with their explosive sound. Pounding drums and shredding guitar build the rock and roll sound of Illiterate Light, a sound not heard often in modern music.
3. Black Midi (UK)
Black Midi is—or was—London’s best kept secret. They have released no music and only just appeared on social media, but have already done a KEXP session and played numerous shows around London, including support slots for highly acclaimed punk band Shame. Their math-infused punk style is unique in sound and brilliant in execution, and their young faces make it all the more impressive. With a US tour hot off the heels of SXSW, Black Midi is about to take the US by storm.
AVALANCHE PARTY
PHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI
4. Avalanche Party (UK)
Seeing Avalanche Party live is an experience like no other. Vocalist Jordan Bell gets right in the audience’s face, meandering throughout the crowd while the band holds down the beat on stage. It’s intense, aggressive, and truly a unique live experience, which is important in leaving a mark on the industry.
5. Godcaster (US)
Split between Brooklyn and Philadelphia, Godcaster is an insane mashup of experimental psychedelic garage rock that consistently leaves audience’s minds blown. Their energy is tangible, their musical chemistry undeniable, and their recent single “She’s a Gun” catchy as hell.
6. Roe (IE)
Hailing from Derry in Northern Ireland, Roe’s solo multi-instrumentalist act is one you have to experience firsthand. With a huge voice and an even larger stage presence, she fills the room with her music and charm.
7. Chai (JP)
CHAI
PHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI
CHAI, four girls from Tokyo, may have put on the most joyful sets at SXSW. From their latest single “Fashionista” to a cover of “Dancing Queen,” their set of hits made it impossible not to immediately fall in love with them.
8. Jealous of the Birds (UK)
Soulful singer-songwriter Naomi Hamilton made her second SXSW appearance since 2016 this year, hot off the heels of her 2019 release Wisdom Teeth. Performing with a full band now, Jealous of the Birds made quite an impression at South By, one of several Northern Irish acts to make their mark at the festival.
9. DYGL
UK-based, Japan-born DYGL, pronounced day-glow, are your classic indie rock band, but with the catchiest hooks imaginable and the stage presence of a band with twice their experience. With their latest single, “A Paper Dream,” released just days before the festival, 2019 is looking to be a huge year for DYGL.
10. The Nude Party
On a first listen of The Nude Party, you might think you’re listening to a band from 1973, because of their nostalgic style with a modern twist is the latest addition. With their self-titled debut album released only last year, the Nude Party have already made quite a name for themselves in the American garage-rock movement.
11. Sorry Girls (CA)
Montreal duo Sorry Girls is a nostalgia-fueled powerhouse of new wave-reminiscent indie-pop. Following the release of their EP Easier in November, published by Montreal DIY label Arbutus Records, Sorry Girls is likely to have an exciting year in 2019.