5 undercard acts to catch at Panorama Festival
Goldenvoice’s Panorama Festival has been billed as “the East Coast Coachella,” and with a lineup including the likes of Frank Ocean, Tame Impala, and Nine Inch Nails, it’s hard to dispute the notion. The three-day event, which returns next weekend, first arrived in New York in 2016, offering a buzzed-out debut for its inaugural stint on Randall’s Island.
Ahead of Panorama’s second edition, we’ve compiled five undercards to catch at the festival. Rather than point out the obvious — as in not missing one of Tame Impala’s final performances of 2017 or skipping the psychoacoustic circus that is Nicolas Jaar — we’ve opted to highlight five lesser known acts that should be on your radar next weekend.
Panorama Festival takes place July 28-30 on Randall’s Island Park. Tickets are available here.
1. Motor City Drum Ensemble
Danilo Plessow is one of the more consistently celebrated talents of the underground. One of the few remaining vinyl-only DJs at his level, Plessow, under his beloved moniker Motor City Drum Ensemble, has become a bastion of sorts for the true art of DJing. Just as liable to throw down some old school disco as he is some ripping house music, Motor City Drum Ensemble is a surefire thrill behind the decks every time he takes the stage.
2. THEY.
Since launching in 2015 with their debut album Nü Religion, enigmatic R&B duo THEY. have caused quite a stir in the industry. Combining elements of hip hop, rock, and electronic music, their sound is hard to pin down. If there’s one pervading element: it’s a fierce drive to lift genre preconceptions on their head. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the pair are backed by boutique label powerhouse, Mind of a Genius, the same imprint that calls artists like Zhu and Gallant its home.
3. S U R V I V E
Fans of Stranger Things will receive a special treat on Saturday with a rare performance from S U R V I V E, the highly celebrated composers behind Netflix’s hit sci fi series. Whether you’re a fan of the show or not, S U R V I V E are worth checking out purely to witness the magic of the self-described “experimental synth quartet.” Expect eerie ‘80s sound design, creepy melodies, and hypnotizing live synth jams.
4. DJ Shadow
A chance to see DJ Shadow should never be passed up. One of the greatest turntablists of all time, not to mention one of the more forward-thinking producers of the day, DJ Shadow has consistently proven a veritable innovator in the field. Still buzzing off the release of his fifth studio album, The Mountain Will Fall, which topped Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart upon release, DJ Shadow is a must for fans of trip hop, bass music, or turntablism in general.
5. Derrick Carter
The true soul of house music will be well-represented at Panorama Festival thanks to veterans like Derrick Carter and Omar-S. The former, a long-standing Chicago legend, and the latter, one of Detroit’s more contemporary stars, will hold down the festival’s new dedicated underground state, The Point. Carter in particular, what with his over two-decade career in the industry, will be a much appreciated treat for house-heads and techno enthusiasts alike.