20 Artists To See At Lollapalooza 2014

Chicago skyline + Chicago summer + good music = Lolla

1. Chance The Rapper

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QRv2_zAPrhc. Via youtube.com

To not include the Chicago native, despite the rapper being on the Bonnaroo list, seems unfair. You can listen to his entire album, Acid Rap, and take in the full glory that is Chance.

2. RAC

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Frontman André Allen Anjos just released Strangers, Pt. II. last week. This track is one of the more poppy, infectious songs off the second half. But the true gem of Pt. II lies in “Ready for It feat. St. Lucia.”

3. Flume

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The young Aussie (only 22) producer has been called an EDM wunderkind more often than not. (He remixed Disclosure’s “You & Me”, a must listen.)

4. The 1975

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Their debut album,The 1975, released last September. They bring a little 80’s inspiration to their ethereal and synth pop sound.

5. Vic Mensa

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Another Chicago rapper making serious headway. He has since broke away from his old band, Kids These Days. Check out “Orange Soda” and “Lovely Day.”

6. Jagwar Ma

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The psychedelic rock band have killed it at SXSW and Coachella so far. Hailing from Australia they have a way of bringing back ’90s alt-rock. Stone Roses, anyone?

7. Jhené Aiko

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The R&B songstress combines her soulful voice with poetic lyrics. She has collaborated with Kanye, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. Her debut album, Souled Out, is scheduled to release this May.

8. London Grammar

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The trio first made waves with of “Hey Now.” Singer, Hannah Reid, pairs her voice, which has the ability to exude fear, isolation, haunting, etc., with their sparse electronic pop sound.

9. Kongos

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The South African alt-rock band is made up by four brothers. While you may know their more popular hit, “Come With Me Now”, “Escape” shows they can do more than make you stomp your feet.

10. Blood Orange

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NbZ3s8XWJlA&t=16. Via youtube.com

This song showcases producer Dev Hynes’ style: a sort of groovy sensuality that’s often compared to Prince. Also listen to “Uncle ACE” (Kindness remix feat. Robert Owens).

11. Fitz & The Tantrums

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A Fitz & The Tantrums show means high energy matched with funk pop, so you better be able to keep up. You can feel their neo soul style in every song.

12. NONONO

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You’ve probably heard of this Swedish trio’s debut single. Falling under the realm of indie pop, their debut album isn’t out in the U.S. yet. Keep an eye out.

13. The So So Glos

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This Brooklyn-based band is reckless, adrenaline-filled, and most importantly straight punk. Dance, mosh, enjoy.

14. Typhoon

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nDdO60XcqPQ. Via npr.org

Typhoon is comprised of almost a dozen band members creating big, beautiful arrangements. The lyrics are filled with grief, but pulled out of the darkness by the orchestral melodies.

15. San Fermin

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Ellis Ludwig-Leone takes elements from his background in classical music (he studied composition at Yale) and grounds it into the genre of indie pop.

16. Joywave

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These guys just opened for RAC in L.A. and their new EP, How Do You Feel? released this past March. Thematic visuals play along with their EP. Plus you can contribute how you feel when you hear their music.

17. Kodaline

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The Irish quartet is well on its way to enticing the U.S. with their indie-rock, sweet vocals, and heartfelt lyrics. Their single also caught the attention of Ellie Goulding who posted a cover of this song on her SoundCloud.

18. Duke Dumont

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Adam Dyment has remixed for Bonobo, Lily Allen, AlunaGeorge, and more. But he made a huge hit with his own 90s crossover, Need U (100%) feat. A*M*E.

19. Benjamin Booker

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Follow the young artist as he makes his way as a rising singer-songwriter. His husky vocals and New Orleans blues feel caught the attention of Jack White, who he will be opening for this summer. His self-titled debut album will release later this year.

20. Bleachers

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Fun.’s lead guitarist, Jack Antonoff, uses his new solo project to explore his life in a deeper, quirkier way than he has before. We can expect his debut album sometime this spring.

ZazzMe