Although we've already posted not one but two articles about which bands to see during the 2014 Sziget Festival (August 11-18), some of the biggest names are yet to come, like Blink-182, Imagine Dragons, London Grammar, Cee Lo Green, NOFX, and Bonobo. If these names don't ring a bell, then you've just found your essential guide to having a great time at the Sziget Festival! (If these names are all familiar... well, you might still learn something new.) Let's see what the "Island of Freedom" holds for us.
BonoboSimon Green is – without a doubt – one of the most talented producers when it comes to downtempo and hip-hop. He could expand his musical universe with every new release, searching for new (musical) ways while being true to his roots: soulful beats, delicate melodies, mellow rhythms, jazz and funk influences, melded to create simple, relaxing melodies. But he is also into the freshest underground sounds, and it's not a surprise that he both does DJ sets and 12-piece live-band shows. When he is on stage, everything can happen, from emotional soul jams to drum 'n' bass and dubstep.
His musical collaborations include teaming up with Lapalux,
Andreya Triana, Lapalux, Erykah Badu, Floating Points, Machinedrum, and we could continue the list. Imagine a lighthearted and jazz-hearted Amon Tobin, and you are close to Bonobo. Believe us, his music will cure your hangover and be a pleasure for your ears.
London GrammarBallads of youthful melancholy and slow-burning, late-night introspective pop jams – that's how we could sum up the music of London Grammar. The trio of Hannah Reid, Dot Major, and Dan Rothman met during their time at Nottingham University – in the beginning, they wanted to sound like Oasis, but luckily, they ended up being a poppier version of Portishead or Massive Attack. Or think of James Blake, but with a female vocalist and less Burial-inspired nocturnal soundscapes. And we haven't talked about Hannah's lung-busting vocals which gives us goosebumps every time we hear them – not surprisingly, she was featured on Disclosure's debut album, Settle (in the song
Help Me Lose My Mind). They are really fresh-faced – the band formed about a year and a half ago – but with such a mature debut, they are more than promising, and we are not sure that they've reached the peak of their popularity yet. Don't miss them!
NOFXSkate punk equals NOFX and NOFX equals skate punk. In 1994, which was a game-changer year in terms of punk-rock music, NOFX released their classic album, "Punk In Drublic", one of the most influental albums of the genre together with Green Day's "Dookie" and Bad Religion's "Stranger Than Fiction".
Although they are active for more than 20 years, they still explode on stage with such energy that it makes you consider throwing away your Green Day T-shirt and start praising band leader Fat Mike. They still have nothing more than a huge middle finger for the corporate rock industry, and crucial punk-rock albums for those who are into the genre. Tired of fighting with record labels, Fat Mike established an independent record label, Fat Wreck Records – bands like Against Me!, Anti-Flag, Screeching Weasel, and Sick Of It All used to release their stuff through them. Up with those skateboards!
Cee Lo GreenHe had a soul music duo with Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley), laid down the foundations of the so-called dirty south genre together with OutKast as a part of Goodie Mob, was a judge for four seasons on The Voice, and he is also the man behind mainstream radio hits like I'll Be Around. And we haven't even mentioned that he worked with Pharell Williams, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Ludacris, and Paul Epworth. Yes, Cee Lo Green is surely the soul machine, the man with the golden throat and an artist who has enough hits to keep you busy all night. Not to mention that he is a great showman who is obsessed with ladies and keeping the crowd happy. Warning: funky vibes and dancefloor jams might happen! Imagine DragonsOne of the music world's breakout artists of 2013, Imagine Dragons have become a touring sensation after the release of their song Radioactive. Blink-182Blink-182 is a southern-Californian pop punk band that was formed in 1992 by Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus, and Scott Raynor in the northern San Diego suburb of Poway, California. You might say that they aren't "real" punks (whatever that means), but you can't argue the fact that all of their refrains are catchy as hell and they are the best thing this genre can offer apart from the Offspring. Their sound is much clearer than typical punk/rock recordings, and their satirical toilet humor is harder to resist than any other band on the scene. Altough Raynor left a band a few years ago (he was replaced by Travis Barker), their blitzkriegs continue – and this will be the first time that Hungarian fans can check out how melodic pop-punk is done properly.
Although their songs vary from nearly whimsical and light to brooding and powerful, listeners are drawn to the inherent honesty in the music.
Attend their concert at Sziget Festival, and it will become clear that the live performance of deeply personal songs has a real effect on people. But honesty is just one thing – it isn't enough to make hits as big as Radioactive. But the members of Imagine Dragons can take the best parts of pumping house, anthemic rock, and hip-hop and fuse them into sonic grenades that have the same effects everywhere: a wave of thousands of screaming fans.
