San Francisco – Well, it’s that time of year again: it’s fall in the Bay Area (at last!) and while a very dramatic El Niño is on its way to (hopefully) dump a ton of rain on the Golden State, festival season is drawing to its inevitable close. Fortunately, for those of us who live here, it closes with a bang: the annual Treasure Island Music Festival, which takes place this weekend.
The Treasure Island Music Festival is gloriously unique, due to its sweeping bay and city views, its always-engrossing lineup (which is featured over two stages that go back-to-back, so there is no overlap!), and its reasonable price. It is a favorite among locals, and is put on by two local event giants: Noise Pop Industries and Another Planet Entertainment. The festival generously caters to both EDM fans as well as those more interested in analog-driven indie rock/pop acts, divided over two days that are (mostly) separated by genre. This creates a curious dynamic for those who decide to brave the festival both days, as they experience the manic, neon-clad crowd of the dancier lineup (usually Saturday) while also being absorbed into the mellower side of things on the festival’s second day. This year—the festival’s ninth—again finds the festival straddling a delicate equilibrium that caters to all music fans. As always, there is plenty of the fresh, new talent we love, and so here are some acts we are very excited to see:
Skylar Spence (Saturday, October 17th, Bridge Stage, 12:00-12:45 PM)
Ex-vaporwave producer Ryan DeRobertis—formerly known as Saint Pepsi—takes on a new moniker and a new, jubilant sound as Skylar Spence. His debut LP, Prom King, is one of the most exciting releases of the year, carefully blending introspective dance ballads with playful, exhilarating nu-disco dancehall tracks. This current tour highlights DeRobertis not only as a producer, but also as a live vocal performer. He opens the festival on the main stage, and looks to set the exuberant tone for the rest of the weekend. Here’s hoping he whips out “Fiona Coyne,” last summer’s breakout single and final track off Prom King.
Baio (Saturday, October 17th, Tunnel Stage, 2:15-2:55 PM)
While Vampire Weekend enjoys an inter-album/inter-tour break, bassist Chris Baio is still going strong following the release of his debut full-length LP The Names, hitting Treasure Island’s Tunnel Stage for what looks to be a high-energy midday set. Baio has skillfully incorporated 80s new wave gloom with 21st century optimism and zeal—as exhibited on The Names—and his first tour on his own looks to cement his position of power as a forceful solo act. His well-crafted mix of analog and synthesized sound is sure to put pep into every attendee’s step.
FKA Twigs (Saturday – October 17th, Bridge Stage, 7:45-8:35 PM)
Taking the place of Swedish pop icon Robyn’s new project La Bagatelle Magique (who had to cancel for personal reasons) is FKA Twigs, the moniker under which avant-garde, often minimalist producer/vocalist Tahliah Barnett operates. Following the success of her various EPs and last year’s phenomenal LP1, Barnett recently released another EP, entitled M3LL155X (pronounced like ‘Melissa’), a 5-track mini-opus devoted to Barnett’s vision of pushing the envelope when it comes to musical expression. While a global revival of 90s sound is happening at the moment—mostly in the form of shoe gaze or proto-punk—Barnett aims to revive the admittedly dated and somewhat forgotten of trip-hop, yet does so with an open ear and open mind, both of which are essential qualities for enjoying one of her already reputable live sets. (Photo by Sarah Hess for BestNewBands.com.)
Viet Cong (Sunday – October 18th, Tunnel Stage, 12:40-1:20 PM)
Surviving members of the now defunct Canadian band WOMEN make up what is now known as Viet Cong. Viet Cong’s sound is bleak and rowdy, full of poetic nuance focused on loss and an inevitable end of being. Their debut self-titled LP was released earlier this year to rave reviews, and their live performance does not disappoint. It should be noted that the band has decided to change their name due to controversial backlash stemming from the cultural implications that surround their current alias, so this may be the last chance anyone has of seeing this band under this name, though honestly the music speaks for itself, regardless of what this group of fine musicians ultimately decide to identify themselves as. (Photo by Will Jukes for BestNewBands.com.)
Father John Misty (Sunday – October 18th, Bridge Stage, 4:15-5:05 PM)
The always entertaining, often delightfully cheeky J. Tillman—better known as Father John Misty—joins the Treasure Island lineup for the first time this year. The former Fleet Foxes drummer has found a unique voice in the sphere of the indie singer-songwriter, beginning with his excellent 2012 debut Fear Fun that aimed to trivialize debauchery while also making it accessible and empathetic. His sophomore LP, this year’s I Love You, Honeybear took on a much different modus operandi, celebrating his lifelong love for his partner, photographer/filmmaker Emma Elizabeth Tillman, and does so in a sweet and arresting manner without sacrificing his signature cutting wit. His live performances never disappoint, so this is surely one that is not to be missed. (Photo by Caitlin Peterkin for BestNewBands.com.)
CHVRCHES (Sunday – October 18th, Bridge Stage, 7:30-8:30 PM)
By now, it seems that you would have to live under the proverbial rock to not know about CHVRCHES, the boisterous electronic trio out of Glasgow that wowed critics and audiences alike with the release of their debut full-length The Bones of What You Believe back in 2013. Well, they’re back, and as ballsy as ever, newly touring behind their sophomore release Every Open Eye, which came out at the end of last month and was greeted with equally magnanimous praise as their first. The trio are known for their outstanding production, as well as their vocal work—most of which is provided by the seemingly docile yet surprisingly powerful Lauren Mayberry—and rumor has it that they have surpassed their previous live efforts with the energy they present on this their current tour. The new LP is bursting with colorful instrumentation, heart wrenching lyrics and insurmountable vigor, so seeing these new songs on the stage will certainly be one hell of a treat. (Photo by Sarah Hess for BestNewBands.com.)
In addition to these artists, look for coverage on other Best New Bands favorites, such as Shamir, Lower Dens, and last year’s Newbie Award Winner, The War on Drugs, among others. We will be on site at the event giving you all the juicy details. Hope to see you in the Bay!
I’ll be reporting from the festival all weekend. Check back for my reviews.
The 9th annual Treasure Island Music Festival takes place this weekend, October 17-18, on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. For tickets, lineup, schedule, and other info, visit the festival’s website.
Corey Bell
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