Boutique three day music festival The Hills Are Alive returns this month to South Gispland in Victoria. The festival is unique in that to get tickets you have to have attended the event before or be invited by someone who has. The organisers refer to this as a ‘friends of friends’ policy that is designed to create a close-knit community of music lovers.
This year’s lineup is impressive, coving all genres and tastes. Whilst this is obviously a good thing it can also be overwhelming. So if you managed to score a ticket or have some amazing friends handy here’s a helpful guide to acts you cant miss at this year’s event.
The Hills Are Alive are teeming with incredibly talented acts. With so many great ones to choose from there are a select few who demand your undivided attention.
Remi
Remi is a 23 year old Melbourne based rapper who burst onto the scene last year after winning The Independent Record Association’s award for best independent hip-hop album, as well as picking up their $50,000 Global Music Grant, which is given to an artist seen to have potential to break internationally. Remi creates rhythmic hip-hop that draws influence from different genres and has a bubbly fun feel. Having shared the stage with acts such as Danny Brown, Vic Mensa and De La Soul, Remi is set to blow up, check him out now before it becomes impossible to score a ticket to his shows.
Baro
Another homegrown hip-hop act, Baro creates smooth tunes that have an immersive effect on the listener. At only 17 years old his songs have a complex maturity to them. Utilizing jazzy, electronic beats and a laid back flow Baro raps about cigarettes and looking for intelligence. The young Melbourne based MC brings to mind acts like Chance The Rapper and King Krule. His latest mixtape Howgoodisgood is a collection of slinky fun tracks that will have you bouncing. Keep an eye out for his upcoming EP due out early this year.
Jen Cloher
Aria nominee and Milk Records co-head honcho Jen Cloher writes 90s-esque lyrically driven music that somehow manages to feel light and intense at the same time. Her latest record, In Blood Memory was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize and evokes vivid pictures with honest lyrics such as, “Our love is more than a reward.” Her songs are simple but pack an emotional punch. Jen Cloher is a nice alternative to the electronic based feel of much of the current Australian music scene.
Lucianblomkamp
Experimental Melbourne based producer Lucianblomkamp is a cinematic soundscapes producer utilsing samples, live instrumentation and distorted yet soulful vocals. He is pushing sonic boundaries with his otherworldly and immersive tracks and was the winner of FBi radio’s Northern Lights competition last year. Drawing from a multitude of different styles Lucianblomkamp is something different to behold and you’ll be a sucker to miss the chance to see him.
Fortunes
New Zealand bred but Melbourne based electronic duo Fortunes have been making waves with their deep, hip-hop inspired take on ambient soul music. Singer Connor McCabe’s vocal delivery is intricate, with a slight Kiwi accent seeping through. Fortunes’ tight and bass heavy beats have been getting them noticed by the likes of triple J and FBi and with their debut EP Hoodie, Fortunes is set to move towards much bigger things.
Enjoy The Hills!
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