After a short hiatus in 2014 Sugar Mountain is back for their second year running. Acts like Nas, ODESZA and Midnight Juggernauts tore up the stage last time so Sugar Mountain has pretty big shoes to fill this year, but doubt not my fellow sweet teeth as they have come through.
Adorning the old haunt known as the Victorian College of the Arts + Melbourne’s Art District, Sugar Mountain have collected a true mixture of artists to cater to all your tastes. Headliners will be Hot Chip, Dirty Three and Courtney Barnett followed closely by favourite Aussie acts Alpine and City Calm Down. There is a lot to see this year, however here are 5 acts that should not be missed at the 2016 Sugar Mountain Festival.
Sugar Mountain is making their glorious return this year. There are plenty of favourites on the bill, but here are 5 others you really need to see.
Le1f
Hailing from New York City, LBGTI rapper Le1f has been killing it with his twist on lyrics addressing everything from racial prejudice to trans-rights. His full-length album Riot Boi is about to drop any minute and after hearing his singles Wut and Koi, which was a collaboration with synth pop artist SOPHIE, we can’t wait to hear what else he has up his sleeves.
Empress Of
Also known as Lorely Rodriguez and also from NYC, Empress Of knows how to synth-pop like the best of them. She released her album Me and the international music scene has been going wild since. She has toured with the likes of Florence and the Machine and Kimbra boasting incredible high energy shows and amazing demonstrations of her pipes as can be heard in How You Do It below.
Pearls
If you’re a fan of glamour rock and melancholic ballads like me then Peals are definitely someone you will want to check out. The Melbourne based trio throw a new spin on cross-pollination between pop and rock. You can rock out to their single Big Shot or just sit and chill out to more soothing songs like Me & My Girl.
Harvey Sutherland & Bermuda
Melbourne has been churning out some good ones lately with Harvey Sutherland joining the list of artist who blew up 2015. The analog synthesist released his hit Bermuda with Motor City Drum Ensembles last year and the mix has been a staple in the European summer circuit. He has played sold out shows all over and for those lucky enough to see him at Sugar Mountain, he will be debuting his new live trio named ‘BERMUDA’ (funny coincidence…) featuring an improvised disco spin with Graeme Pogson on drums and Tamil Rogeon electric strings.
Kelela
This underground gem is the last on my list for the Sugar Mountain Festival. Growing up as a violin prodigy in an orchestra, the mesmerising chanteuse moved on to find her feet in the pop scene with bangers like Rewind, Enemy and my favourite Guns & Synths. She is one to watch so make sure you watch her while your there!
That’s all I got for you so go out and enjoy your sugar, brush your teeth and don’t get a cavity.
