For four days later this month, Brooklyn will be crawling with literally hundreds of the best musical acts in nearly every genre, making it hard to decide which concerts to go to. The Northside Festival takes place once a year, and brings together musicians, film-makers, and innovators from all over the world to showcase them as well as the borough itself. And with such a large list to choose from, let Zumic give you a jumping off point. Starting with a some obvious-but-necessary picks and working our way to a few more obscure ones, here are five acts you've got to check out at the 2015 Northside Festival:
1. Run The Jewels
This hardcore hip hop duo have been making waves ever since their first album release in 2014. With their brutal and clever lyrics, huge beats, and stellar live performances, this is a definitely a group to check out. Run The Jewels is performing with Vince Staples and Sleigh Bells at 50 Kent Avenue on Sunday, June 14.
2. Built To Spill
Built To Spill have been cranking out their signature mix of alternative songwriting and loud, melodic rock since the '90s, but now is a great time to see them. Coming fresh off the release of their album Untethered Moon, they are set to perform with a batch of great new tunes for vocalist / guitarist Doug Martsch to shred over. You can catch Built To Spill with Alvvays, Best Coast, and Bully at 50 Kent Avenue on Saturday, June 13.
3. Pusha T
Pusha T is an unstoppable force in the world of hip hop. With his popularly and critically loved 2013 album My Name Is My Name, much-hyped single "Lunch Money," and more music coming soon, catch him while he's still on such a creative hot streak. Pusha T is performing at the House Of Vans' A-OK Collective Showcase on Saturday, June 13 with DJ Envy.
4. Rhye
The unlikely duo of Canadian singer Milosh and Danish instrumentalist Robin Hannibal have created an experimental and simultaneously catchy pop sound out of their R&B / electronic / neo-soul act, Rhye. Their mellow and highly intimate sound should be great to catch live. Rhye will be opening for Neko Case along with Majikal Cloudz at 50 Kent Avenue on Friday, June 12.
5. Bully
While the charts may be jam-packed with lo-fi garage rock, especially acts featuring female singers, Bully stands out from the pack. The edginess in her tone and the beautifully simple melodies she creates sets her apart from the pop chart-friendly hits from many other bands. As stated above, Bully is performing with Built To Spill, Alvvays, and Best Coast on Saturday, June 13 at 50 Kent Avenue.
Bonus: Against Me!
Against Me! is a punk band from Gainesville, Florida that have been making aggressive yet anthemic music since 2001. The reason they are a bonus on this list -- other than the fact that they rock -- is that the show they are playing at McCarren Park on Saturday, June 13 is free. All you have to do is RSVP on their website.
The 2015 Northside Festival begins on June 8, with musical performances running from June 11-14. You can pick up tickets for individual shows or purchase a music badge for access to all the music events and exclusive parties at NorthsideFestival.com.
Stay tuned to Zumic for post-festival coverage.
