10 Bands To Discover (And Fall In Love With) At Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is finally here and that means tons of emerging bands and artists are betting on hitting it big with a group of new fans. But with over 120 bands playing over the course of three days, it's hard to know who to check out. VH1 scoured the line up to identify the bands you need to check out at Lollapalooza (or get to know at home).
1. Alt-J (Sun. 8/4 at 5 pm)
If you like the breakout rock group, Imagine Dragons, then you'll like this English indie quartet. The group has slowly been getting attention in the U.S. thanks to ad for the Microsoft Phone Nokia Lumia and behind heard on the runways of New York Fashion Week. The band is one to watch for at Lollapalooza as they showcase their British Mercury Prize winning album.
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2. Emeli Sande (Fri. 8/2 at 1 pm)
While The Great Gatsby ended up being a mess on the big screen, it did score with the soundtrack, which included a funky Beyonce cover performed by Sande. The English singer scored a minor radio hit last year with the song, "Next To You," and even performed for President Obama. With a new album slated for next year, she's one to keep your eye on.
3. Guards (Sun. 8/4 at 12 pm)
If you are a fan of the Cults then you'll want to check out this off shoot, which was formed by Richie Follin. Follin used to lead the Willowz and played in his sister Madeline's project (Cults) before wanting to do more. Follin formed a new group that channels '70s power pop and '60s rock and soul.
4. Little Green Cars (Sat. 8/1 at 1:30 pm)
The Dublin folk rock group has been building buzz over the past year with stateside festival performances. And with the release of their debut album, Absolute Zero, they are ready to find new fans. These guys pack a lot of punch on stage and will be a fun show to watch.
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5. The Mowgli's (Sun. 8/4 at 3:20 pm)
This band sports a huge roster and a robust sound. This good time funky bunch mixes that California sound with the some honky tonk that even made Andy Cohen a fan. Their first official album came out in June, so expect to hear a lot of fresh sounds.
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6. MS MR (Sun. 8/4 at 3:30 pm)
You've probably heard this indie-pop duo without knowing it. They've been featured on shows like Grey's Anatomy and been getting tons of buzz on the Internet. Their debut album has earned them comparisons to Lana Del Rey and Florence and the Machine. This is one group to keep your eye on ever the next year.
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7. The Neighbourhood (Fri. 8/2 at 12 pm)
This mysterious California band popped up on the Internet one day without much fanfare. There's very little information about the band leaving the music to do all the talking. But that's okay, because songs like "Sweater Weather" carry the conversation.
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8. Pacific Air (Fri. 8/2 at 4:30 pm)
This band is the perfect kind of group to discover at a festival bursting with emerging bands. Their infectious, dream pop sound is surprisingly refreshing and just what you want to hear on the first day of Lollapalooza. Be sure to check out their four song EP, which will leave you wanting more.
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9. St. Lucia (Sat. 8/3 at 2:15 pm)
This time next year, the rest of America will have caught on to St. Lucia, whose chill, '80s sound will likely be the soundtrack of the summer. This group channels everything you love about summer but mixes the perfect amount of chill vibe that carries them through the winter.
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1o. Timeflies (Fri. 8/2 at 2 pm)
If you are not familiar with this electro-pop duo then be prepared for an energetic show. These guys may play everything from a laptop but that doesn't stop fans from piling in and piling on. You can check out their free EP which came out last year while you wait for there full length album to come out sometime this year.
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Be sure to check out our Lollapalooza genre guide and tough decisions.