20 Bands To Catch At Panorama Festival This Weekend
There are plenty of music festivals to attend in the year of our Lord 2016, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a new one to join the ranks. Panorama NYC will do just that this weekend as a new joint venture between Goldenvoice & The Verge. Personally, I like it when music events have an editorial component involved in the booking/planning of a festival–shoutout to Pitchfork Fest–so I have high hopes for the event. The festival will be held this weekend at Randall Island, which is where Governors Ball is held annually, so festival-goers already know the way. Here are twenty acts on Panorama’s stacked bill to check out this weekend.
Arcade Fire
Day & Stage: Friday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 9:15—11:00
One of the most reliable headliners in the game–The Canadian band headlined Coachella in both 2011 and 2014–Win Butler’s band is always a safe bet to bring the heat for a festival’s final set. Running through the fan-favorite tracks from older albums like Funeral, Neon Bible, The Suburbs, and still working in plenty of tracks off their latest release Reflektor, Arcade Fire’s live show is just as much a visual spectacle as it is an exhibition of music. Considering the three year anniversary of Reflektor‘s release is coming up this fall, it wouldn’t be a shock to hear a few snippets of new songs from the now six-piece outfit, either. And you’ve got to be waiting on your heels for one of those covers—Evan Romano.
Alabama Shakes
Day & Stage: Friday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 7:30—8:30
After taking the Grammys by storm last year–the group won three at this year’s ceremony for 2015’s Sound And Color–Alabama Shakes are on their way to joining the ranks of iconic bands from Athens, Georgia. Their fusion of soul, rock, and R&B makes them a unique outlier in the current electronic-and-emo heavy landscape, and the levity they bring is just what the scene needs. Oh, and Brittany Howard’s skill as a multiracial frontwoman of a white backing band is so compelling that the group graced the White House stage years ago. It can’t really be overstated–the woman is a force, and therefore, so is her band.—Caitlin White
FKA Twigs
Day & Stage: Friday, The Pavilion
Set Time:6:55—7:55
Her breakout record LP1 was released in 2014, and was quickly followed by the M3LL155X EP last summer, but in the months since FKA Twigs has not been resting on her laurels. Fighting through the racist online trolling and ridiculous headlines in the tabloids that have ensued since she began her relationship to with heartthrob Robert Pattinson, Twigs has been continuously focusing on her work–which has lately included gracing the cover of high-end fashion magazines like Elle. Her personal poise and artistic precision have never been more clear–go see her now before you can no longer afford to.—Caitlin White
ScHoolboy Q
Day & Stage: Friday, The Pavilion
Set Time: 8:20—9:20
With his outstanding Blank Face LP still fresh in everyone’s mind, ScHoolboy Q’s Friday night set is sure to be filled from start to finish with energy. Expect the West Coast standout to flash his deep catalogue and play old hits like “Hands On The Wheel” and “Studio,” as well as new summer bangers like the fantastic “THat Part.” Oh also, we are pretty much guaranteed than either Kendrick will show up at Q’s set or vice versa, considering they’re playing the same festival on different nights. Nice.—Evan Romano
DJ Khaled
Day & Stage: Friday, The Parlor
Set Time: 9:00—10:00
The reigning king of Snapchat and posi vibes, DJ Khaled also has a substantial “discography” under his belt. Yes, it may be true that the best Khaled songs are just him host a gathering of other more high-profile collaborators–or like, people who are actually musicians–but getting by with a little help from your friends is so 2016. Regardless of the music quality, this set will be loads of fun–festival-goers need that. And if you go, don’t forget to snap some of the best clips!—Caitlin White
Kendrick Lamar
Day & Stage: Saturday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 9:20—11:00
You probably don’t need us to explain to you why you should go watch Kendrick Lamar. The most technically-gifted rapper on earth, Lamar’s last two albums, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City and To Pimp A Butterfly are both already classics in the genre, with the latter picking up several Grammys earlier this year (not that that particularly means anything these days). But with a backing band as sharp and talented as his own tongue, Lamar’s live act is one that shouldn’t be missed by any fan of the genre.—Evan Romano
The National
Day & Stage: Saturday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 7:25—8:25
Ah, The National, one of the bands who soundtracked my teenage years. It’s true that The National released their first album in 2001, hit their peak in 2007 (Boxer forever), and have been grappling with the weird stage of indie rock fame/malaise that follows becoming truly mainstream. That’s all true. But just like emo has made a resurgence among teenage fans who are now blooming into adulthood (aka consumerhood), bands like The National are popping back up. And even if you weren’t particularly into their new 2013 album Trouble Will Find Me, this band is still a great fucking band. We’ll always have Boxer.—Caitlin White
Sufjan Stevens
Day & Stage: Saturday, The Pavilion
Set Time: 8:25—9:20
Those of you who use the internet to follow music news (all of you I am guessing) will know that Sufjan brought quite the getup to his Pitchfork Fest set last weekend. While I am a massive, out-of-control, unabashed Sufjan fan for life and have a list of countless songs I want to see him play, my primary hope for his Panorama set is that he once again sports that costume. I love my freaks and I love you, Sufjan. In all seriousness though, Carrie & Lowell is one of the top five albums from last year, and hearing some of those songs live will be an honor.—Caitlin White
Blood Orange
Day & Stage: Saturday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 5:45—6:45
After the release of his exquisite meditative Freetown Sound, Blood Orange has only been playing a few select shows. His appearance at Pitchfork Fest was the first-ever since the album’s release and Panorama will be the second. Which is to say, this is a rare chance to see one of our most important, poignant voices sharing this new music for the first time. Dev Hynes is the ideal artist to see live–his music is so soulful and fluid that it spills out of him physically just as much as it does sonically. Show up early.—Caitlin White
Foals
Day & Stage: Saturday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 4:30—5:20
Foals are one of this Brit-rock bands who have managed to hold my attention without really changing their sound in a lot of ways. In the past, I was drawn almost exclusively to electronic and indie rock of this nature, but once I became interested in hip-hop and pop and country, my knowledge of rock bands like this diminished a bit. Yet, if there is one group who knows how to stay consistent, it’s Foals. And watching a consistently good rock band is consistently fun–you’re talking to a girl who still likes listening to Coldplay. If you do, too, then you should check out this set.—Caitlin White
Daughter
Day & Stage: Saturday, The Pavilion
Set Time:4:05—4:50
There are always moments during the chaos of a festival when you crave a moment of quiet, a moment of stillness, time to regroup and ponder things deeply. Or at least I do, so if you feel that way at some point on Saturday, make a note to check out the late afternoon set by England’s forlorn folk-rock trio Daughter. Their new album Not To Disappear came out at the top of the year and remains one of the most compelling, brutal, beautiful renditions of grief and resolution in musical form.—Caitlin White
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
Day & Stage: Saturday, The Pavilion
Set Time: 5:15—6:05
One of the hottest young hip-hop artists of 2016, Anderson .Paak’s live show is a true marvel. Along with his touring band The Free Nationals, the California native blasts through his fantastic debut album Malibu, while he drums with impeccable precision. A member of the recently anointed 2016 XXL Freshman class, this is the rare hip-hop act that incorporates a live band and dares to play with the studio recordings.—Evan Romano
AlunaGeorge
Day & Stage: Saturday, The Parlor
Set Time: 6:45—7:35
AlunaGeorge have always balanced George Reid frenetic electronic production with Aluna Francis’ beckoning alto, and since their debut Body Music came out in 2013, fans are eagerly awaiting their follow-up, I Remember, which is slated for release this September. Considering their latest single (below) features Popcaan, this album is going to embrace new sounds while maintaining their signature chemistry.—Caitlin White
Kaytranda
Day & Stage: Saturday, The Parlor
Set Time: 8:00- 9:10
Kaytranada put out one of the best albums of year with May’s release of 99.9%. He’s been building a reputation as one of the quickest and most inventive producers in the game, but putting out a record of his own doubles down on another element–his skills as a tastemaker. 99.9% includes a host of collaborators like BadBadNotGood, Vic Mensa, Little Dragon, Syd, and the aforementioned AlunaGeorge and Anderson .Paak. Despite the crowd, it’s his slick, soulful style that rises above the noise, and getting a chance to see that live before he enters the upper echelons of worldwide is a privilege.—Caitlin White
LCD Soundsystem
Day & Stage: Sunday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 9:10—11:00
We know the drill–they’re one of New York’s most iconic bands who “said goodbye” in enormous fashion and then realized that saying goodbye when you’re still in decent physical shape and could make significant amounts of money by continuing to tour is the wrong move. So whether that goodbye was staged to up their already substantial caché, or was earnest at the time, they’re back now. I wish we could talk about it! Instead, find your friends and sing along–even if watching this set and reading this blurb makes you feel more “New York I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down” than “Someone Great.”—Caitlin White
Sia
Day & Stage: Sunday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 7:40—8:40
Sometime I think of Sia as the pop star who could; a woman with an incredible voice and songwriting chops that rival those of any living writer who finally realized you have to do weird, weird shit to make people notice you. Hence the face-hiding, the wigs, the videos that star little girl dance avatars and Shia LaBeouf in lieu of her own appearances–this is when things began to click for her. Her new album from the beginning of the year, This Is Acting, doubles down on that realization–and while this album is stunning, it’s important to note that her music was phenomenal all along. Anyway, given she won’t even appear in her own videos, the chance to see her live important and you should take it.—Caitlin White
A$AP Rocky
Day & Stage: Sunday, The Pavilion
Set Time:8:10—9:00
Well, A$AP Rocky seems to have put his foot in his mouth very recently when it comes to political issues, but then again, it seems like everybody is fucking up when it comes to how and when we speak about the constant state of trauma that video, live social media feeds, and public shaming have brought into our lives. Whatever his opinions may be–or however he put his foot in his mouth during that Breakfast Club interview–A$AP Rocky fans will be able to watch him Sunday night, and perhaps he’ll even clarify his thoughts further onstage. That’s reason enough to check out the set in my opinion.—Caitlin White
Kurt Vile & The Violators
Day & Stage: Sunday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 4:45—5:45
Guitar rock dad and resident Philly dad Kurt Vile has slowly built up his status from live-recording noodler to Matador Records folk-rock star. His latest release b’lieve I’m goin down… was one of 2015’s best records, and he never fails to give a slacker-rock psychedelic folk set. I always think it’s ironic that one of Vile’s first albums was called Constant Hitmaker, and now almost a decade later, he’s proven that title true. It’s worth showing up just to hear what other prophecies he may spout off on Sunday–oh, and those guitar solos are pretty sick too. I haven’t heard “Pretty Pimpin” live yet, so that’s gonna be the festival highlight for me.—Caitlin White
Run The Jewels
Day & Stage: Sunday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 6:10—7:10
In a world fraught with material excess, police violence, corruption and celebrity, Killer Mike and El-P are beginning to feel like superheroes. Though both of them had influential and important careers in the hip-hop world before they teamed up as Run The Jewels in 2013, the project has become the culmination of all their history and respective talent. RTJ and RTJ 2 are two of the most influential records of the last couple years for their ability to call out corruption and funnel anger and frustration into brutal, brilliant songs. At the exact same time, these are guys who were always totally comfortable taking their iconic, important record and remaking it with cat sounds. Respect. RTJ3 is on the way soon, and hopefully we’ll hear a few new songs this weekend.—Caitlin White
White Lung
Day & Stage: Sunday, Panorama Stage
Set Time: 1:10—1:55
Mish Barber-Way and her Canadian cohort White Lung have taken back the stage for an independent punk trio fronted by a woman. Like many of our greatest artistic projects, White Lung came to be partially because Barber-Way was sick of listening to her ex-boyfriend’s shitty punk band. Thank God he sucked, because with Paradise, the band have ascended to a new level of punk heaven–and they brought us along with them. Show up early on Sunday to watch them play, you will never regret it. Besides, you can sleep when you’re dead.—Caitlin White
