written by Connor McAuliffe
Now in its third year, Imagine Music Festival has come to be regarded as one of the most successful inner city fests, and organizers are continuing to amp things up this year with a new venue, a third day, and camping. With a lineup full of funk, a heavy dose of trap and dubstep, and a splash of jam bands, it’s shaping up to be a weekend that will define this festival’s history. In anticipation, I’ve crafted a list of three artists (and believe me, picking just three wasn’t easy) that I truly believe everyone should check out. Read on, and let us know who you’re exited to see!
1. Disco Biscuits – These guys are on the top of my list because I actually am not an avid listener…but what are festivals good for if not trying new things? The Disco Biscuits and their live shows have been talked up to me on several occasions, and I can’t wait to join the fan club. A jam band formed at the University of Pennsylvania in 1995, the Disco Biscuits moved quickly from frat parties to nightclubs, eventually founding Camp Bisco music festival in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1999.
2. 12th Planet – It was during 12th Planet’s set at Imagine last year that I first discovered the insanity of dubstep, and I’ve never looked back. The man behind the madness, LA-based John Dadzie, has been cited as America’s King of Dubstep for his work bringing the genre across the pond, and his grimy tracks are some I’m greatly looking forward to (“Burst” feat. Skrillex and Kill the Noise, “Name Bran” feat. Lumberjvck, and “Spilly Talker” feat. Trollphace, Omar Linx, and JuJu to name a few).
3. Opiuo – Originally born in New Zealand, Oscar Davey-Wraight now resides in Melbourne where he continues to build his glitch hop reputation. I discovered his sound in college, and it’s been an absolute joy to watch his progress since his first album Slurp and Giggle in 2010. His music combines the best of jazz/funk with crunchy glitch hop…listen below, his music does a great job of speaking for itself.