Brewer Does Bonnaroo 2016: Act 2
Every time I go to Bonnaroo, it seems I walk away with a new favorite band, whether it's a new discovery altogether or a live performance t ha t unexpectedly blindsided me. Those discoveries tend to stick with me, sometimes even becoming some of my most listened-to artists throughout the entire next year, and I hope and expect this year will be no different. Bonnaroo's line-up is one giant Venn diagram of competing music tastes and genres, and discovering wherein the (often unexpected) overlaps happen to lie is always pretty neat. With discovery being such a HUGE part of this festival, I decided to focus this portion of my 2016 Bonnaroo preview coverage on acts that I only JUST discovered in recent weeks, while sifting through this year’s line-up. Take a chance on some names that might be unfamiliar... maybe you’ll find your next favorite band as well!
Vulfpeck
Thursday, June 9, 8:45 p.m.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5pYL-Y--To
This contemporary California-based funk group made headlines in 2014 when their album "Sleepify," consisting entirely of completely silent tracks, racked up over three million listens on Spotify – but more often, their sound features of a symphony of beats, rhythms and scats, a nod to a traditional vintage R&B sound with an extra funky and jam - band - fan-approved twist.
Recommended if you like: The Meters, Monophonics, Galactic
Andra Day
Friday, June 10, 2:45 p.m.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGAMSfMflJI
Not many artists can boast that they were discovered by Stevie Wonder, but among that elite set is vintage-soul songwriter and vocalist Andra Day. The young songwriter, who recently performed an arresting tribute to Muhammad Ali alongside John Legend, can certainly command a room with her sassy and sultry vocals, influenced by classic jazz, gospel, R&B and more, and backed by jazz and hip-hop forces – but make no mistake, though her sound draws from many influences, it is still one that is wholly unique and original.
RIYL: Amy Winehouse, Macy Gray, Erykah Badu
Bob Moses
Friday (ok, let’s call it what it really is - Saturday), 1:30 a.m.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4oUeqOkb90
OK, so one could maybe describe the sound of Bob Moses as “emo-electro,” but before you write it off (I know – that sounds terrible to me too) I recommend giving the Canadian electro duo a listen – their music is really quite lovely. Lo-tempo and slow-building, the duo draws from classic trance influences , and also, allegedly, the pop-punk sounds of bands like Green Day and Rancid , though those are perhaps more difficult to decipher . Their late-night Friday night Bonnaroo set competes against psych-rock heavyweights Tame Impala, but I imagine they will pack the tent out and curate a pretty amazing (if amazingly chill) dance party. With sets at this year’s Coachella, and Lollapalloza as well as Bonnaroo, this might end up being the year of the Bob Moses.
RIYL: James Blake, Chet Faker, Washed Out
Cymande
Sunday, June 12, 1:45 p.m.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuLnxjVo6bk
This feels like a band I should have known about before know – I admit I’m super late to the game here. Cymande is a British group that started in the 1970s, but never mind any of that – their Afro-Caribbean reggae funk sound is more or less timeless. The band enjoyed a good deal of popularity in the ‘70s and has retained a strong and loyal cult following in the years that have followed, with a recent reunion paving the path to 2015’s “A Simple Act of Fatih” – the band’s first full-length of new original material in more than 30 years. (P.S. If you listen carefully to their older material, you’ll likely notice a handful of familiar samples that have been used by contemporary hip hop, house and other artists.)
RIYL: Fela Kuti, Earth, Wind & Fire, Curtis Mayfield
St. Motel
Sunday, 3:45 p.m.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyVPyKrx0Xo
Catchy and upbeat indie rock that manages to be both sunshiney and new wavey at the same time. Two of the members met at film school in 2009; the band focuses heavy on the visuals that accompany their live shows and definitely carries forth that California vibe.
RIYL: The Walkmen, The Strokes, The Killers
Saraya Brewer
Managing Editor, tadoo.com and Chevy Chaser and Southsider Magazines
859.266.6537 ext. 25 2016
For the full line-up, tickets and more info on the festival, visit www.bonnaroo.com
