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Don’t Miss Music: Life is Beautiful Festival Las Vegas, NV 10/24-26
by Matthew Downes & Charissa Lock
Big music names headline the Life is Beautiful festival that will surely draw in folks from afar include Foo Fighters, Outkast, Kanye West, Arctic Monkeys and Skrillex. Yes of course you must consider the close to 70 other artists in the lineup, where you’ll see “Matt & Kim” tucked away in the top quarter of the list or “Misterwives” in the bottom quarter that could be the pull for some. In its second year, Life Is Beautiful Festival (LIB) has done a pretty fantastic job of signing on bands that are distinctive or haven’t performed in Las Vegas in years or ever…alongside another fantastic list of chefs, speakers, and artists that you can peruse. Looking at the music lineup, a few stand out that I’ve either been meaning to see, am intrigued by their stage presence, or am using this performance as a measuring stick.
Photo Credit
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmLMPFXzBLA[/youtube]
*Note the record on her nightstand within the first thirty seconds of the video. #kitten #Chloe
What hasn’t been said about the artist Mø yet? Besides her hairstyle, which can easily be put off as her unaffected-by-what-others-think attitude, she heightens the pedestal of the female “indie” pop artist. Of all the girls (Lorde, Charli, Sky, Elliphant etc.), she is in my opinion simply the most unique.
Making final judgements about artists’ work in the first 2, 3 or 4 years of their career is basically stupid. By year 6 they start really dealing, writing and singing about their own grief, begin creating their own identity and probably have positioned themselves into or carved out a genre accepting of them and hopefully found a handful of mainstream opportunities that have or are about to create a bountiful career; or its long over. Whether its 5, 6, 7 or 10 years, the ones that survive the tumultuous music business are the ones who TRULY make it. Luck helps the few and far between, while style and timeless songs last forever.
Mø hasn’t done any of these things; yet. She just happens to pull off the” I don’t really give a fuck” (#IDGAF) and “I’ve got some good songs” outlook. This being the case, a live performance would be an experience to say the least. I am MOST looking forward to see what she can bring to her first live performance in the city of sin.
EKOH
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewUNXWnEdH8[/youtube]
First time I saw this guy was in Las Vegas at the Life is Beautiful lineup announcement at the Las Vegas Brooklyn Bowl back earlier this year. Bumping into him at the end of the concert I was able to shake his hand and wish him luck. Within a few days of adding him on Facebook we had a conversation about how his career was going and where he was headed. He has a small, but rabid fanbase and somehow you just can feel his potential. He reminds me of Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, if that’s your flavor, but only by vocal presence so don’t judge a book by its cover. This super accessible, young, white rapper seems to be genuine. Hope to see you in a few years to check in on everything EKOH, for now I’ll see you next weekend.
Catfish and the Bottlemen
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWgq8b5vQEY[/youtube]
I don’t know much about the English band Catfish and the Bottlemen. Pretty sure I found them on some weird blog somewhere about their album Balcony coming out and I listened to one song. With their sound reminding me of other bands from the UK; Twin Atlantic, The Kooks, a less electronic Morning Parade you can see why I’m sucked in. Purposely and accidentally going into this blind, I’m hoping their live show inspires me to go out and grab more of their recorded stuff.
Priory
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdoym9KNbl0[/youtube]
Warner Bros. is behind the duo from Portland Oregon. You might’ve heard their summer Dancehall crasher “Weekend” (see above) or if you’re a hardcore Nylon follower, their new single “Put Em Up.” Their story is unbelievable…you need to go read their bio, if you can find it. I haven’t seen them live yet and have to say I’m looking forward to hearing the lyrics “Hell yeah I just got paid, it’s time to get this started” lyrics that speak to every working class citizen worldwide. If they go on Friday at 5pm, it’ll be a perfectly executed gig by Priory’s agent and the talent buyer of LIB.
P.S. They go on at 3:30 to 4:10pm on Friday, close-a-freakin-ough,
Bear Hands
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG_D-JpGqsM[/youtube]
The team that’s behind this artist (agent 1, agent 2, label, management & publicist) are considered industry royalty. Bear Hands have been around since 2010 and it appears they have done a lot of things right to get to this point. Another band I don’t have much insight on, mostly faith that they’ll delivery something spot on live.
Look forward to my insight previewing the entire event on Thursday of next week!
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