Primavera Sound Los Angeles: Must-See Artists
Primavera Sound, the world-renowned music festival with roots in Barcelona, Spain, is set to make its debut in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles State Historic Park on September 16-18. In its two decades of existence, the festival has shown love to a wide range of artists, and this iteration proves to be no different with this year’s lineup featuring over 50 artists from across the globe and spanning several genres. In addition to the music, attendees will have the opportunity to feast on LA’s favorite food trucks curated by Smorgasburg LA, and shop through an onsite vinyl market put together by KCRW and Beat Swap Meet.
Day 1 - September 16, 2022
Shygirl
After missing several opportunities to see her live, Shygirl’s set at Primavera is one I definitely won’t miss. I’ve been a fan of hers since the release of her Cruel Practice EP in 2018. Since then, she’s released several tracks, an EP, and is now gearing up to release her debut full-length album later this month. Every single she’s dropped so far has been a certified banger, so there’s no doubt in my mind that her performance will be worth the long wait.
PinkPantheress
This TikTok star has been making waves in the music industry. She released her short, but sweet debut mixtape, To Hell With It, late last year to critical and commercial success. Since then, she’s linked up with Sam Gellaitry, Willow, and released a Mura Masa-produced track featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Shygirl. Personally, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a PinkPantheress x Shygirl performance on Friday.
Mitski
After a 2 year hiatus from the public eye, Mitski's return was nothing short of incredible. She released her sixth full-length album, Laurel Hell, and embarked on a completely sold-out tour across the US as well as Europe and Latin America. Mitski's live shows have always been a treat and filled with so much raw emotion. Whether or not you’re familiar with her discography, this is one performance you need to hit up.
Day 2 - September 17, 2022
Machine Girl
I recently came across Machine Girl’s 2014 full-length debut, WLFGRL, through Spotify’s algorithm of recommendations and quickly became obsessed. The explosive blend of breakcore and jungle was the equivalent of having a shot of espresso pumped directly into your veins. So if you’re looking for a midday pick-me-up this Saturday, this will be the one for you.
Paloma Mami
Need a second to relax and take it all in? Paloma Mami has you covered. Her take on a fusion of Latin Urban and R&B in combination with her honey-sweet vocals gives the genres a smooth and sophisticated feel that continues to pull me in with every track she drops. On top of that, her music videos and album visualizers always have this cinematic and summer blockbuster-type production that I know will translate into a visually stunning live performance.
Drain Gang
I’m not a drainer myself, nor am I familiar with the Drain Gang discography (outside of a few tracks from members of the collective), however, the amount of love and hype surrounding the group from hardcore fans across the internet is something that rivals the ride or die mentality of your top 40 pop star fanbase. That alone has piqued my interest in needing to see them live and witnessing the love and hype in real life.
Day 3 - September 18, 2022
Chai
Hailing from Nagoya, Japan, Chai has been making moves as of late. The band recently opened for Mitski on the US leg of her Laurel Hell tour, they’re set to start a headlining tour across the US later this week, then jump on board with Hippo Campus for their upcoming tour. I've personally seen them twice and both times were filled with so much energy and love from the audience. I highly recommend checking them out, and I guarantee you’ll instantly become a fan if you’re not one already.
King Krule
I actually learned of King Krule’s existence through a concert photo that came across my Instagram feed years ago. The black and white photo featured the artist, with guitar in hand, bent with his back parallel to the floor, screaming in unison with the crowd as they all had their hands in the air. Thinking about that moment now still gives me goosebumps.
Arca
The Venezuelan singer, producer, songwriter, rapper, dj, and visionary has been pushing the boundaries of music forward for years. They've worked with everyone’s faves in the industry from Frank Ocean and The Weeknd to Björk, FKA twigs, and so many others. Even with this stacked resume and busy schedule, they’ve released some of the most thought-provoking and experimental albums in the last decade. I've been a fan of Arca’s music since their release of &&&&& in 2013, and I still haven’t been able to catch them live. This Sunday will finally be my chance.
