Memorial Day Weekend, a time to honor our troops…and go to SASQUATCH!
Here are 13 bands to get excited for:
1. OutKast
After an 8 year break, OutKast is finally coming back for a reunion. The duo, compromised of Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000) and Antwan Patton (Big Boi), is a classic hip hop group that started up in 1992. It’s been 8 long years, and we’re stoked they’re headlining Sasquatch this year.
Recommended Song: “Ms. Jackson” –
Official Website: http://www.outkast.com/
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2. Queens of the Stone Age
This rock band from Palm Desert, CA consists of Josh Homme (vocals), Troy Van Leeuwen (guitar), Dean Fertitia (keyboard), Michael Shuman (bass), and John Theodore (percussion).
Recommended Song: “No One Knows” –
Official Website: http://www.qotsa.com/
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3. Foster the People
Foster the People is an indie-pop band, whose music has been described as “melodic dance-infused pop and rock”. There are three members of the band: Mark Foster (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Jacob “Cubbie” Fink (bass), and Mark Pontius (percussion). Their most recent album, Supermodel, was just released in March 2014.
Recommended Song: “Helena Beat” –
Official Website: http://www.fosterthepeople.com
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4. Haim
This band of sisters have formed a musical group hailing from Los Angeles; their beautifully soothing and upbeat voices are great to listen to on any day. The sisters are Este Arielle, Danielle Sari, and Alana Mychal.
Recommended Song: “Falling” –
Official Website: http://haimtheband.com/
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5. The Naked and Famous
This alternative rock band from New Zealand got their name from “a line in the English artist Tricky’s song “Tricky Kid”, ‘everybody wants to be naked and famous’.” The band consists of Aaron Short (keyboard), Alisa Xayalith (vocals), Thom Powers (vocals, guitar), David Beadle (bass), and Jesse Wood (percussion). Many of their songs have been showcased in TV shows such as the Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Recommended Song: “Young Blood” –
Official Website: http://thenakedandfamous.com/
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6. Cage the Elephant
Cage the Elephant is a rock band that originates from Bowling Green, Kentucky. They have come out with three studio albums so far. The members consist of Matthew Shultz (vocals), Brad Shultz (guitar), Nick Bockrath (guitar), Daniel Tichenor (bass), and Jared Champion (percussion).
Recommended Song: “Come a Little Closer” –
Official Website: www.cagetheelephant.com/
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7. Portugal the Man
Portugal the Man started out as an independent band during their early years. They came out with five albums during those years, and two more after they signed with Atlantic records in 2010. The band members are John Baldwin Gourley (vocals, guitar), Zachary Carothers (bass), Kyle O’Quin (keyboard), and Jason Sechrist (percussion).
Recommended Song: “Purple Yellow Red & Blue” –
Official Website: http://www.portugaltheman.com/
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8. Sol
As a Seattle native, Sol has a large fan base here in Washington. His music has been described as “polished pop with sober, socially conscious raps”, and he has been compared to the likes of Macklemore – both in music and in demeanor. Sol graduated from the University of Washington, and currently has five albums and two EPs out.
Recommended Song: “2020” –
Official Website: http://solsays.com/
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9. Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper is a hip hop artist originally from Chicago, Illinois. He started to get some recognition for his second mixtape Acid Rap which featured other rappers such as Childish Gambino, Twista, and Ab-Soul. Chance’s unique style and soulful sound will have you hooked.
Recommended Song: “So Good” –
Official Website: http://chanceraps.com/
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10. Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi, a hip hop recording artist from Cleveland, Ohio, was discovered by Kanye West after Cudi released his mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. His fame only grew with his single “Day ‘N’ Night”.
Recommended Song: “Day ‘N’ Nite” –
Official Website: http://www.kidcudi.com/
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11. M.I.A.
M.I.A. is a multi-talented musician from London. She dabbles in singing, songwriting, rapping, photography, modeling, and much more. Her songs combine styles from dance and electronic, to hip hop and world music. Her unique sound is not to be missed.
Recommended Song: “Paper Planes” –
Official Website: http://www.miauk.com/mia-tour
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12. Major Lazer
Major Lazer, created by DJ/producer Diplo, is an electronic group that incorporates many different genres including reggae, dance, and hip hop. Their most recent release was Apocalypse Soon, released in February, 2014.
Recommended Song: “Lose Yourself” –
Official Website: http://majorlazer.com/
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13. Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator is a rapper-producer from Los Angeles, California. After getting discovered for his first album Goblin, his next album Wolf sold 90,000 copies in the first week. Tyler is a creative, and completely one-of-a-kind rapper who always puts on a fun show.
Recommended Song: “Yonkers” –
Official Website: http://golfwang.com/
For the full Sasquatch lineup, visit their website. You can also download their free app, found on the app store; the app is a complete guide to Sasquatch 2014! You can create your own itinerary of bands you don’t want to miss, and keep track of the schedule throughout the weekend.