So it's that time of the year again where I, along with most other people I'm sure, begin to pick up extra hours at work, or hold off on buying those super cute heels and in some dire situations, start to pick out of their “rent money" piggy banks for this year's ACL tickets.
Every year I find myself only viewing the headliners' performances along with very few “underground" and “up-and-coming" artists that I have heard of. This year I took the time to listen to these non-headlining artists and my gosh, I am more than glad I did.
I have provided a list of five artists who aren't headlining ACL that I recommend every attendee go and check out.
Sylvan Esso
This American duo has that indie-electronic pop sound that I just can't get enough of. Lead singer Amelia Meath transcends you into another dimension with her mesmerizing, beautiful and somewhat haunting voice while the smooth electronic beats engineered by Nick Sanborn keep your feet moving. Their songs range from moody and dark, hypnotic and happy to eccentric and live. I recommend listening to “Coffee," which sounds exactly like the title; it is something you drink in the morning, sweet and warm.
Sol Cat
The Nashville rockers have a new-age rock, psychedelic indie-infused style to them that avid rock and roll fanatics like myself will love. The six-man band performs a mixture of blues and modern rock combined with electronic synths and keys that can keep anyone's head banging. With the Music City's own 70's rock influences and trippy guitar riffs, you'll be sent into a mind-expanding escapade. I recommend listening to the song “Dirty Glasses" to get a good feel of the band's sound.
Kehlani
This girl brings me way back to the days where MTV actually played music videos and boys were none other than cootie contaminators. Kehlani is like a modern day version of Ashanti and Christina Milian in their prime times – can it get any better than that?
Glass Animals
Glass Animals is an English indie rock band from Oxford. With tracks with titles like “Gooey," “Hazey" and “Pools" it is apparent that their music has a unique, moody and dark tone full of warmth and psychedelic aspects. Lead singer Dave Bayley has a soft and somewhat sexy voice that collides with the melody flawlessly and makes my eyes close and my head sway back and forth. I recommend listening and watching the creepy music video for “Gooey" and “Black Mambo."
Meg Myers
Meg Myers is by far one of my favorite artists on this year's ACL lineup. If I had to describe Myers' voice in two words I would choose intense and enchanting. I can describe her voice in three words, though – haunting, mesmerizing and dreamy are other adjectives that honestly don't even come close to this girl's voice. Her songs scream pain and frustration. Not only does this girl have a voice bigger than herself (she is quite teeny), she also definitely puts on a performance. She displays Lorde-like eccentric dance moves through out her perfomances that definitely put on a show.
