Brisbane’s pop-punk upstarts Two Times Shy are soaring lofty heights as they let loose their …
Formerly Known As (also known as FKA festival) is back and at it again, bringing you a whole new generation of all-Australian, all-banging acts, fresh vibes and those unforgettable ‘festival feels.’
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Taking place in the Hunter Valley on the 13th of October, FKA Festival is a great chance for all music lovers to unite for one day, get down, and support their local scene. With 14 acts and counting, here’s your one and only go-to guide for acts to watch this year!
TROPHY EYES
Don’t act surprised, we all knew this was coming first! (Well … yeah.—Ed.) Given their recent (and still going) success of their new third album The American Dream, Newcastle natives Trophy Eyes are climbing to the top and we are all strapped in for the ride. Catch them on their home turf before they set off to take on the world. You can also catch them on their ONE and ONLY Australian headline tour. Don’t hesitate, you’ll miss the magic.
LUCA BRASI
Tasmanian born and bred, Luca Brasi might just be your next Aussie grown obsession. With the release of their EP Stay earlier in July, they have proved that they have the talent, passion and edginess to be the next best thing in Alternative indie music. With all their Australian headlining tours sold out, don’t miss your chance to see them at FKA–you can thank me later.
KINGSWOOD
Hailing from the streets of Melbourne and spending the better part of 2018 focusing on their follow up to 2017’s After Hours, Close to Dawn, Kingswood is everything Australian Rock due to their Pub Rock music styles making you feel like you are back in the 80’s. Having toured with living legends, The Living End and blowing the roof off festivals like Splendour in the Grass, this all-round rock triplet is ready to raise the roof before they take on the big stage in Germany. Don’t sleep on these guys, you will regret it.
good thanks
If you love backyard/garage pop punk, then do we have a band for you! good thanks (all lowercase, obvi), formed in late 2017 in Newcastle–the arguable home of live music—have come so far in such a short time. From playing shows alongside fellow FKA attendees British India and Tired Lion to releasing their first EP Two Bottles and don’t let their short experience as a band deceive you, they all have plenty of experiences playing their good hooks in the live scene.
VACATIONS
Grab your folded cuffed chinos, whack on that button up Hawaiian shirt, and get those retro sunnies ready because Vacations are your next indie addiction. Coming from Newcastle, Australia and constantly being compared to Mac DeMarco, their debut EP Changes received 100,000 (and counting) views in its first 3 months on YouTube. Now, back on their stomping ground, and their sights set on releasing ANOTHER new album this year, this super-sonic five piece is a must see!
TIRED LION
From infectious melodies and honest lyricism, this four piece hailing from the streets of Perth, Western Australia grace us with all that 90s nostalgia you didn’t even know you missed. Everything thing about this band screams NEXT BIG THING in Australian music, so don’t miss this because Tired Lion influential act is worth keeping your eyes on.
MADDY JANE
To put it simply – Maddy Jane is fucking sick. From a small town in Tasmania, she shows us that she has been around before by writing songs that are far beyond her years. Her love and passion for music is shown through the deep bass and raw emotions projected from her voice, even if you didn’t grow up in small town Australia. Don’t rule her out just yet! She even opened for One Direction’s Harry Styles on his tour around both Australian and New Zealand, so you just know that with a background like hers at such a young age, this girl is set for bigger and better things.
BRITISH INDIA
I think we can all agree that no matter when, where or how Melbourne grown British India is a MUST see. Their growth as a band from 2004 to 2018 is seen in their new EP Forgetting the Future from their monstrous melodies to hectic yet totally danceable rhythms. If you are still on the fence about these guy’s then chuck those headphones on and get it pumping.
THE BELLIGERENTS
The thing about festivals, is there are always bands that give have that edge but still manage to have you dancing like there is no one watching – so in come The Belligerents! A five-piece hailing from the streets of Brisbane. Their new single Science Fiction speaks for itself with the beats that move you (as you’ll hear below.) Creative, talented, and let’s not forget groovy, need I say more?
GRACE TURNER
Strong voiced, honest and stripped down – that’s just three ways to describe Grace Turner. For this Newcastle born indie-folk singer, there is no denying she is headed for the big leagues so you better catch her before she goes prime-time. Her new single Dead or Alive is both haunting and hypnotic. Mixed with her alluring vocals at the forefront she really let’s her light shine bright within her crowded genre.
Convinced? Get your tickets for FKA Festival here.
