With headliners like Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters and The Killers, getting wrapped up in the big names of this year’s Voodoo Music + Arts Experience is easy. However, one of the beauties of music festivals is getting introduced to a variety of smaller musical acts.
Who knows? You just may find your next favorite band. Here are five lesser-known acts you’re going to want to check out this weekend.
FRIDAY
Public Access T.V.
With its performance at 12:30 p.m. on Friday at the South Course Stage, Public Access T.V. will be one of the first bands to kick off Voodoo Fest. The four-piece rock group has opened for the likes of The Killers and Weezer and released its debut album in September 2016. With its retro rock ‘n’ roll guitar-based sounds, the New York-based band is sure to liven up the crowd and start the weekend the right way.
Marian Hill
This Philadelphia pop songwriting duo consists of singer Samantha Gongo and production artist Jeremy Lloyd. The band rose to prominence when their single “Down” was featured in an Apple commercial last December. They have also worked with the likes of Big Sean and Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui. Gongo’s melodic vocals combined with Lloyd’s synthetic beats will make for an enjoyable listening experience at 3 p.m. on the Altar Stage.
SATURDAY
Colony House
Performing Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on the Altar Stage, Tennessee four-piece Colony House will have you jamming to upbeat, guitar-based modern rock songs. Formed nearly a decade ago by brothers Caleb and Will Chapman, the band released its second full-length album earlier this year, “Only The Lonely,” and have toured with singer-songwriter Ben Rector and rock band Switchfoot.
SUNDAY
Sam Dew
With his masterclass songwriting abilities, wide vocal range and instrumentalist skills, hip-hop singer Sam Dew is a triple threat. Even those who may not have heard his name are likely to have heard Taylor Swift and Zayn Malik’s hit single for the “Fifty Shades Darker” soundtrack, “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” which Dew co-wrote. Dew also has songwriting credits for Rihanna and Mary J. Blige. If you like the smooth sounds of experimental R&B and renowned lyricism, you’ll want to check him out at the Wisner Stage at 2:30 p.m.
Cold War Kids
After Dew completes his set, head on over to the Altar Stage at 3:30 p.m. to catch Cold War Kids. The Californian alternative-rock band — best known for its hit 2006 single “Hang Me Up To Dry” – released its sixth studio album in April featuring the single “Love Is Mystical.” Whether the band plays its older or newer works,or a medley of both, its set will have you headbanging and feeling the music, and that’s what Voodoo is all about.
