Rising artists will surprise at Coachella

Terry Nguyen | Daily Trojan

Coachella attracts several huge names every year, with masses flocking to Indio, Calif. to hear Kendrick Lamar or Lady Gaga and holding onto high hopes for a Drake appearance. Those who pride themselves for their musical knowledge beyond the Billboard-charting artists may even name Empire of the Sun, Bon Iver and Glass Animals as acts they hope to see . However, the real music connoisseurs are those who recognize the names that line the bottom of the Coachella poster. Though they have not fully captured the attention of mainstream music fans, these artists create the dynamic essence of Coachella’s music atmosphere.

Jack Garratt

His soulful voice is sure to pierce through the massive crowds. Having supported Mumford & Sons on tour, Garratt has a dedicated fanbase and will only continue to increase in popularity. His first album Phase contains a mix of slower ballads as well as experimental electronic-inspired tracks. The dynamic music style Garratt brings to the stage is sure to impress Coachella fans who are looking for an unpredictable artist.

Zipper Club

Bringing together Mason James of Cerebral Ballzy and Lissy Trullie, this duo is uninhibited and unafraid. Upbeat, playful and synthetic-heavy, Zipper Club hops across genres and instruments to create an incredibly unique sound. “If it sounds good I don’t care if it’s from the 1920s or the 2016s,” their website reads. With a bright future ahead of them, Zipper Club’s Coachella performance is the perfect time to interact with current fans and attract new ones.

BROODS

Opening for fellow Coachella performers Empire of the Sun and Two Door Cinema Club, this New Zealand brother-sister duo has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. BROODS draws similarities to artists such as Lorde and HAIM; lead vocalist Georgia Nott’s haunting voice establishes her a niche in the indie-pop genre. Her voice is soft, sweet and airy with a heightened element of mystery. The second member of the duo, multi-instrumentalist Caleb Nott supplements Georgia Nott’s talent with his production talent and backing vocals.

The Avalanches

For those music festival goers who are nostalgic for the psychedelic era of concerts, head over to the set of Australian DJ group The Avalanches. Inheriting the ’70s punk scene while infusing it with rap, The Avalanches’ sound is the epitome of sensory overload. The group creates sample-heavy music, taking fragmented pieces of songs and sound and implementing unique parts into tracks. Their latest album, Wildflower, carries a carefree, hippie-like sound that portrays the duality of human emotion through a mix of joyful beats and sorrowful melodies. 

Devendra Banhart

This bearded, acoustic lyrical genius can be considered a reincarnation of Jack Johnson. His laidback, summer ballads are distinct from the flashy, stunt heavy performers that take the same stage, but that’s exactly the beauty of Banhart at Coachella. His set will provide a much-needed break come Sunday evening, and audiences can bask in the desert sun, enjoying the gentle guitar and celebrating the illusion of summer that he conjures.

The Lemon Twigs

From the looks of The Lemon Twigs, it appears as if the band has stepped right out of the ’60s and into Indio. Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario are teenagers with strong, memorable vocals wthat are reminiscent of the Beatles. The Lemon Twigs’
synthetic-filled tracks share similar vibes with the punk-rock band Ramones, while holding onto a Broadway-like theatricality in performance. The band is a modern-day take on a combination of a variety of musical genres: from soft rock to underground cool to musical theater songs. Regardless of song style, the members’ voices blend harmoniously within every track, creating a complementary balance to background beats.