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Another month, another hot New York City music festival. In June we were treated to the fantastic lineup at Governors Ball, and a number of smaller festivals, like Celebrate Brooklyn! and September’s The Meadows Music & Arts Festival are on the rise too.
Now, it’s time for Panorama Music Festival at Randall’s Island Park. The festival’s second year rings in the last weekend of July with the promise of an unparalleled lineup with something for every taste. Headliners include Frank Ocean, Solange and A Tribe Called Quest, all of which are must-see sets. But there’s so much more beyond the bold print names at the top of the poster. We’ve lined up the artists we’re most excited to see at the end of the month.
Future Islands
Photo courtesy of Future Islands.
This Baltimore, Maryland based band is enjoying a wave of success following the April release of their fifth album “The Far Field.” Fresh off sets at Coachella and Glastonbury, they’re storming through festival season with fans following steadily in the wake. Songs like “Aladdin” and “Ran” are shining hits from their latest album, and their song “Seasons (Waiting On You)” was named one of the best songs of 2014 by Pitchfork. Known for their entertaining live performances, Future Islands is sure to be a Panorama treat.
Mitski
Photo courtesy of Bandcamp
Mitsuki Miyawaki, a Japanese-American singer-songwriter, is having a good year. Following the release of her 2016 record “Puberty 2,” she received praise from across the critical board. She sings, in a beautifully personal way, about young adulthood, anxiety and feeling like an outcast. Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and NPR Music have all offered their praises, her single “Your Best American Girl” making it to NPR’s list of the best 100 songs of 2016.
Pinegrove
Photo courtesy of Pinegrove
This band has also been at the top of its game this past year, having been acclaimed by the rounds of musical critics. Last year they released “Cardinal,” a lovable eight-song record that’s as much of a rock album as it is refined. Most noticeable are their songs about friendship, like the album bookends “Old Friends” and “New Friends.” During their live performances, they playfully interact with the audience and support all-around good feelings. A smile from the lead singer and writer Evan Stephen Hall’s face is sure to leave you smiling as well at Panorama.
Solange
Photo courtesy of Solange Knowles
You know her sister, and you probably know her, too. With Beyoncé as kin, it could seem like Solange would be always living in the shadow. But she’s doing anything but. Solange Knowles has been a fierce force in the R&B world since the 2000s, but her 2016 record, “A Seat at the Table” is something special. She bends genres and defies expectations, as she is sure to do the same at her Panorama set this year. Don’t forget to listen to the hit “Cranes in the Sky” before you go.
Glass Animals
Photo courtesy of Glass Animals
Sometimes being a human is tricky. We have emotions and intelligence – we’re not like other animals. Here’s a guide for the ups and downs: “How To Be A Human Being,” Glass Animals’ 2016 album. The indie group is known for superb mixings of pop, rock and synth sounds. On their most recent release they tackle an array of sounds and feelings with songs like “Life Itself,” “Youth” and “The Other Side of Paradise.” Their set is sure to be a colorful one.
Tame Impala
Photo courtesy of Tame Impala
Australia’s Tame Impala is the quintessential psychedelic pop band of the 2010s. Their 2015 album “Currents” is nothing short of musical mastery, as coined by leagues of critics and listeners. Tame Impala is seamless in their blending of sounds, genres and lyrics, and seeing them live is sure to be a spectacle. Get ready to check this one off your concert bucket list.
Noname
Photo courtesy of Noname
Fatimah Warner, or as she’s known by her stage name – Noname – is a rapper from Chicago. She first gained fame when she appeared on Chance the Rapper’s “Acid Rap,” and you’ve heard her recently on his latest album “Coloring Book.” She’s featured in “Finish Line / Drown,” the joyful penultimate anthem on Chance’s uber popular album. She got her start doing poetry at open mic nights in Chicago, and now she’s taking the Panorama stage.
Angel Olsen
Photo courtesy of Angel Olsen
Angel Olsen is yet another star of 2016. Her record “MY WOMAN” soared to the top of critical listings, and now she’s touring the album. Olsen got her start performing St. Louis coffee shops as a teenager before collaborating with other artists and ultimately breaking into a solo career. She croons soft indie folk ballads, but they burst with feeling.
6LACK
Photo courtesy of LoveRenaissance
This Atlanta rapper is on the rise. His debut album “FREE 6LACK” was released just late last year, but he’s already hit the Billboard Top 40 and made a name for himself in the realms of rap and R&B. His single “PRBLMS” has over 60 million streams on Spotify.
Spoon
Photo courtesy of Spoon
Spoon are veterans of the indie rock genre, and they’re still putting out fresh music. Just this year they released “Hot Thoughts” which included the single “Can I Sit Next To You,” which was remixed by LCD Soundsystem’s Tyler Pope. If you know them from their “They Want My Soul” days, or if you’re new to the scene, Spoon is still sure to serve up something great at Panorama. Maybe they’ll even blow a “New York Kiss” out into the crowd.