The Australian summer music festival season is firmly underway and Musicology looks towards one of the event calendar highlights that is St Jerome's Laneway Festival. Brimming with amazing artists on this year's bill, we take a look at the top five must watch artists.
ALDOUS HARDING
Delivering her hugely impressive debut album Party in 2017, Aldous Harding travels across the ditch for her highly anticipated Laneway performance. An artist showcasing a tremendous array of diversity in the tracks she has amassed. The range of emotions explored on the album are as broad as the stylings employed to convey the many faces of Aldous Harding. The contrast between singles such as Blend and Horizon are a case in point. In Blend, she masterfully displays a gentle, sassy and folksy attitude, toying with desire and love. Yet the dichotomy of Horizon shows a take no prisoners approach with a feisty delivery and impassioned plea. This all makes for a compelling stage show, eagerly awaited by those curious to find out more about one Aotearoa’s finest.
BLEND
FATHER JOHN MISTY
Biting lyrics and exquisite social commentary are the hallmarks of Father John Misty’s appeal. The scathing wit paired with his folk sensibilities have firmly cemented FJM as one of the new voices of a generation. Not that he would want to be one or that his voice speaks for a generation but rather speaking out against a generation with supreme fever and crystalline observations. His no holds barred approach lifts the lid on the seedier side of life but delivered in saccharine covered harmonies. A strident performer so confident in his own skin, it is clear to all those who follow and with every new appearance the legion of fans only continues to grow. Jump on the bandwagon, catch FJM and be placed under his spell at this year’s Laneway performance.
I LOVED YOU, HONEYBEE
KIRIN J CALLINAN
A man whose disdain for clothes is only superseded by his love of effects pedals. Kirin J Callinan is as intriguing as they come. Having carved out his own niche world of rock, electro and disco, KJC takes each audience he performs to on an unpredictable rollercoaster ride with an impulsive mix of gritty rock, almost guaranteed nudity and witty banter. One not to be missed, our home grown Callinan is a formidable artist pushing the sonic boundaries as seminal release Embracism is a testament to.
EMBRACISM
MAC DEMARCO
Unravel the enigma wrapped in a riddle that is Mac DeMarco. The little maestro is without parallel as he flirts between genres whilst remaining independent of catergorisation by mixing his own potent blend of indie magic. From skilful compositions through to blindingly simple acoustic pieces, Mac DeMarco conjures all manner of evocative concepts, sentiments and thoughts as he guides us through the light and dark patches of his world.
MY KIND OF WOMAN
SLOWDIVE
When artists who already have a rich back catalogue bring out new material as Slowdive did in 2017 with their self-titled album some twenty plus years after their last and it is as good as their first, it only reinforces why they were so fundamental in the first place. The resurgence in 90's bands and that of shoegaze is neatly captured with Slowdive returning to our shores. Making their performance at Laneway a rare opportunity and one to be taken when the chance presents itself. In the same vein as Swervedriver, Ride and My Bloody Valentine, the pioneering sounds of Slowdive with their swirling guitars, spaced out keys and breathy vocals resonate as strongly today as they did when iconic albums such as Just for a day and Souvlaki were originally released.
ALISON
St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2018
