Don't Miss These Acts at Summer Meltdown 2016!
Nestled in the mountains of Darrington, Wash., northeast of Seattle, Summer Meltdown turns 16 in 2016. Over the years, this quaint party has begun to make some serious noise as each successive lineup continues to pull together a little bit of everything—and this year is no different. From daytime bands to danceable late-night specials, festival-goers will relish in their share of offerings of EDM, indie, jam, bluegrass and beyond. Stacked from head to toe with notable acts, we’ve put together a short list of artists you must not miss.
Producers and DJs to See
Gramatik: Fresh off a new, very collaborative (looking at you, J. Cole) album, this producer has had a banner summer, complete with a show at Red Rocks. The festival touring continues this weekend as he brings his slightly jazzy and highly electronic beats to Meltdown.
GRiZ: Who it’s not for: the funk enthusiast or the faint of heart—although they should still give it a shot. GRiZ is known for his high energy and quick transitions, but he’ll leave an impression with the saxophone lines he plays live over his tracks.
Livetronica to See
STS9: This band played a big role in turning live electronic music into a bustling genre. These seasoned musicians are still putting out albums and pushing the boundaries of their music, which includes hints of progressive rock, jazz, disco and electronic house.
Michal Menert: It’s probably difficult to figure out where to go after releasing an album called Space Jazz but Menert didn’t waste time in putting together The Pretty Fantastics, a live band to play behind his beats, and releasing an album with them. The whole gang has been playing some pretty fantastic shows since.
Shook Twins getting down at Revolution Hall—click to see more photos by John Alcala
Roots Revival to See
Shook Twins: This folky group out of Portland is headed by twin sisters who would be impossible to tell apart if it weren’t for their guitar and banjo duties. They’ve built their own brand of psychedelic bluegrass that’s perfect for hot summer days.
Rising Appalachia: Another group lead by two females playing guitar and banjo are slated to play the main stage on Sunday afternoon. Despite these similarities, both acts produce original sounds with Rising Appalachia offering a worldly take on traditional bluegrass with deep drum beats and the occasional beatboxer.
Other Bands to See
Moon Hooch: If you like saxophones, you will love this band. But that’s not the only reason to see them. Moon Hooch is one of the wildest bands out there: The two saxophonists and drummer bring the attitude of a punk band and the musicianship of an acclaimed jazz group.
Beat Connection: The synthpop outfit from Seattle have been quietly influencing the Northwest sound for years. They have three full-length albums each filled with danceable rhythms and cohesive songwriting and it’ll all be on display at Meltdown.
See the full lineup below!
