10 emerging, can’t-miss acts at Lightning in a Bottle 2022
Known for its eclectic, connective character, Southern California’s Lightning in a Bottle will return with an iteration that offers attendees a little bit of everything. The 20th-anniversary event’s headlining acts include dance/electronic mainstays on nearly everyone’s rotation, such as Glass Animals, KAYTRANADA, the man behind Dancing Astronaut’s Album of 2021, SG Lewis, and plenty more head-turners. But attendees’ excitement doesn’t stop there; the festival will host a variety of genre-spanning talent, emergent and established acts alike. Below, Dancing Astronaut highlights 10 must-see artists—some of which just might be your new favorite. Be sure to check out these up-and-coming acts ahead of Lightning in a Bottle from May 25 – 30.
Blu DeTiger
Born and raised in New York City, Blu DeTiger‘s ascension has been undeniable. Amassing 80 million streams across all streaming platforms on her debut EP, How Did We Get Here, DeTiger has clearly positioned herself in the driver’s seat of her already-booming career, which has led to remixes from the likes of Anna Lunoe, Flight Facilities, and filous. If there is one defining aspect of the singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, it’s her expertise ripping the bass guitar that’s got the world standing at attention. Having already filled in on the bass for bands like The Knocks, Caroline Polachek, and The Bleachers during their recent Saturday Night Live performance, it’s more than safe to say Lightning in a Bottle attendees are not going to want to miss her.
VNSSA
House music visionary VNSSA has upped the ante this year, giving way to Music4TheMasses, out via Diplo‘s Higher Ground imprint. 2022 has also seen her work alongside LP Giobbi on her FEMME HOUSE compilation earlier this year, in addition to touring with friends and frequent collaborators, Walker & Royce. VNSSA’s reputable history gives way to her crisp sound design and upbeat live show, and as any Coachella attendees can attest, she is sure to bring the heat this festival circuit.
MEMBA
Hot on the heels of their Inevitable tour, postponed from 2019, Foreign Family members MEMBA are more primed the 2022 festival circuit than ever. Powering through the pandemic, releasing one electronic anthem after the next, including features with EVAN GIIA, Nevve, Alexander Lewis, and many more, the New York City natives have leveled up their sound ten-fold. Offering intricate synth work and robust sonics, MEMBA’s live set is sure to take fans’ breath away.
Rome In Silver
If fans are looking for unique and expertly crafted sound design, look no further. Hailing from Orange County himself, Vinny Pisciotta—better known as Rome in Silver—has been on Dancing Astronaut’s radar since 2017, when he made his on-site debut in our 5 Under 5k feature. Since then, the SoCal local has gone from around 2,000 loyal listeners on SoundCloud to 300,000 on Spotify, cultivating a following of bass-driven enthusiasts. Signed to San Holo‘s bitbird imprint, Pisciotta relates his own sound to that of Robotaki and MEMBA. Releasing his 2021 EP, Makeshift Moon, via bitbird and joining San Holo on part of his North American tour this past year, Rome in Silver has taken his journey to the next level.
Jon Casey
A recent addition to Dancing Astronaut’s 5 Under 5k Vol. 31 from 2021, Jon Casey has already begun to make major waves in bass music, climbing to nearly 40,000 monthly listeners on Spotify in less than a year. A mainstay on RL Grime‘s Sable Valley imprint who made his way on to the Sable Valley Summer Vol. 1 compilation, the bass purveyor delivers elements of trap, dubstep, and more. Gaining massive traction via his collaborative track with IMANU, “Kotoro,” which landed on RL Grime’s highly anticipated “Halloween IX,” Casey has boldly shown the scene just what he can do.
HoneyLuv
A young person in the scene, HoneyLuv has already lived many lives. From playing collegiate basketball to becoming a US Navy Sailor, HoneyLuv has now made a name for herself as a house DJ, and an impeccable one at that. In an industry very clearly dominated by Caucasian men, HoneyLuv has already defied all odds in her short-lived but ever-growing career. Since her first single debuted at the end of March 2021, HoneyLuv has worked alongside Desert Hearts, Groove Cruise, and LP Giobbi’s Femme House, all while landing her own radio show on iLL Donuts radio, “House of Honey.” To say this has been an explosive start to an illustrious and long-spanning career would be a colossal understatement.
Of The Trees
Supporting dance music’s psychedelic patron saint CloZee on her recently closed out Neon Jungle tour, Of The Trees is paving his own road filled with warbling bass and frigid soundscapes from his Maine-based studio. Recently bringing his own label Memory Palace to life, Of The Trees has garnered a place for his distinctive sound to thrive alongside like-minded peers. Generating downtempo beats with vocalists flush with ethereal tonality on his The Tale of Elegos EP, the emerging artist composes bass-riddled entities entirely in their own lane of dance music.
Moontricks
As far as electronic music goes, the realms of folk and blues are usually kept quite separate; that is, unless Canadian-based duo Moontricks has anything to say about it. Meshing gritty bass with soulful vocals, Moontricks have carved out their own space entirely with a live show to boot. Joined on stage by an assembly of guitar, keys, banjo, and an inspiring vocal range, the multi-instrumentalists are taking the world by storm. Playing folk festivals one weekend and dance music events the next, Moontrick’s versatility remains unmatched.
Moodlite
With just over 1,500 monthly listeners on Spotify and almost no information online, their music must speak for itself—and it does. The co-ed trio fuses passionate vocals and alluring guitar progressions with electronic ambiance and stunning instrumentation.
um..
Founded at Los Angeles’ ICON Collective, um.. brings together Ben Bruce and Dylan Gold, who began their journey back in 2014. Having made major headway with their 30-minute bass-bending mix for Shambhala Music Festival since 2017, the duo has only retained and elevated its eccentrically grimy, surrealist sound.
Featured image: Juliana Bernstein
Categories: Features