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Rising Artists, Unforgettable Performances
This festival season, don’t miss out on the rising stars quickly making waves in the music scene. From intimate storytellers to genre-defying innovators, these underrated artists are bringing fresh energy, powerful performances, and unforgettable sounds to the stage. Whether you’re looking for poetic alt-pop, rock-tinged indie, or genre-blending immersive sounds, these artists deserve your attention. Get ready to discover your next favorite acts—here are five slept-on artists you need to catch at festivals this year.
Strawberry Launch’s Dreamy Indie Pop at Gov Ball
If you’re looking for a fresh, female-fronted act that delivers soaring pop-rock anthems, Strawberry Launch is a festival must-see. Formed in 2018 after a serendipitous cold call from lead singer Riizan to guitarist Matrianna Gahol, the band quickly expanded with Abby Flicker (bass), Taylor Hurt (keyboard), and Benjy Berkowitz (drums), crafting a sound that blends shimmering melodies with emotional crescendos.
With the release of their most recent EP, Bad Luck via Trash Casual Records, Strawberry Launch is taking their expansive, emotionally charged sound to festival stages this year. Whether you’re drawn to lush soundscapes, dynamic live shows, or pure indie pop bliss, this is one act you won’t want to miss.
Vibe to Hope Tala’s Lush R&B at Coachella
With a sound that blends romance, introspection, and philosophy, Hope Tala is making a powerful return to the stage — just in time for festival season. The West London-born, LA-based artist first made waves with her silky, poetic R&B-infused sound. After a brief hiatus since her last release in 2022, she’s back as an independent artist with her brooding new single, “I Can’t Even Cry,” marking the start of a transformative new era.
Raised on the soulful influences of Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and D’Angelo, Hope Tala’s music is a seamless blend of organic, live instrumentation and evocative storytelling. Her upcoming project dives deep into heartbreak, newfound love, ancestry, and self-discovery, capturing both warm nostalgia and modern-day introspection. With an undeniable ability to create immersive, dreamlike sonic worlds, Hope Tala’s festival performances are bound to feel like an escape, offering listeners a space to be soothed and seen. If you’re heading to Coachella, don’t miss the chance to experience Hope Tala’s hypnotic, genre-bending artistry live.
Hey, Nothing Promises Emo-Folk Catharsis at Shaky Knees
Hey, Nothing is set to take the stage at Shaky Knees Music Festival 2025, joining a lineup including Deftones, Blink-182, and the highly anticipated reunion of My Chemical Romance.The Athens-via-Atlanta duo, made up of 19-year-old best friends Tyler Mabry and Harlow Phillips, has been steadily gaining a devoted following with their literary emo-folk sound. Their music is raw and deeply personal, marked by haunting vocal interplay and unfiltered storytelling that confronts themes of addiction, toxicity, trauma, and familial struggles. As hey, nothing continues to carve out a space in the indie-folk world, their set at Shaky Knees is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Catch Ginger Root’s Retro-Futuristic Spectacle at Coachella
Ginger Root delivers a fully immersive experience at festivals, blending live performance with captivating visuals displayed on video screens. Some songs expand into vibrant, free-flowing arrangements, while others remain tightly structured due to digital enhancements, creating a dynamic and engaging set.
Musically led by Cameron Lew, Ginger Root draws from the smooth, soulful sounds of '70s soft rock while incorporating the modern, genre-blurring influences like Japanese Breakfast and Toro y Moi — artists he deeply admires. A true DIY powerhouse, Lew plays all instruments, self-produces his albums, and even directs and edits his own videos — thanks to his film school background. The result? A surreal audiovisual experience that’s as groovy as it is visually stunning. You can catch this stunning, immersive experience live at Coachella, where Ginger Root is sure to put on a must-see show.
Hear Jensen McRae’s Poetic Storytelling at Lollapalooza
A true storytelling powerhouse, Jensen McRae crafts songs that feel like pages torn from a beautifully written novel — rich in vivid imagery, sharp social commentary, and deep emotional resonance. A devoted reader herself, McRae’s music carries the same intimacy and familiarity as a book you return to over and over again.
Since the release of her debut album in 2022, McRae has captured audiences with her gorgeously poetic songwriting and viral moments that showcase her ability to tap into universal emotions. Now, as she prepares for her sophomore album, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me! she’s stepping into a new chapter of artistic maturity. McRae is hitting the festival rounds at Lollapalooza, where her performance promises a moving blend of introspection and emotional depth.
Alicia Clara’s Brings Hazy Nostalgia to SXSW
Montreal’s Alicia Clara crafts music that feels like a daydream in motion, seamlessly blending hazy nostalgia with deeply personal storytelling. Influenced by icons like Soccer Mommy, Alvvays, Widowspeak, and Julia Jacklin. Clara’s use of distorted guitars and dreamy textures marks a bold evolution in sound for audiences everywhere to enjoy.
Her live shows offer an intimate yet cinematic experience, making them a must-see for festival-goers drawn to lush, melancholic melodies wrapped in indie rock warmth. If you’re attending SXSW, be sure to lose yourself in Alicia Clara’s dreamlike world.
Viagra Boys’ Brings Unhinged Punk to Coachella and End of the Road
Formed in Stockholm in 2015, Viagra Boys has become one of the most electrifying acts in modern punk, with a reputation for chaotic live shows, biting satire, and driving, bass-heavy sound. With frontman Sebastian Murphy’s sardonic lyricism and unpredictable stage presence, the band delivers a raucous mix of post-punk, garage rock, and absurdist humor. The band is bringing their signature brand of rowdy, irreverent punk to the festival rounds with notable spots in Coachella’s lineup and at England’s End of the Road festival. The set is one you won’t want to miss, promising a performance as unhinged as it is unforgettable.
