Shows

Now before you go on a wild rampage of claiming these artists aren’t the best that came out in 2011, consider this: they might not be, but they’ve broken into the scene in a big way. Their music is listenable – we don’t have any top-40 tunes on here – so make sure to take a look at the whole list since these are the bands headlining shows now and probably for many years to come.

10 ) M83

Catalyst: Midnight City – M83

One hit wonder? Even though their recent success has been riding the wake of their newest tune “Midnight City” and album Hurry Up We’re Dreaming has brought, they’ve been making terrific music for a long time.

Why they’re here: Due to their great success this year, you’d think they’d be higher on this list, but they already had some level of success before 2011 with Saturdays=Youth among others. Hurry Up We’re Dreaming really brought them into the limelight and they’ve been selling out shows ever since.

http://www.metrojolt.com/m83-hurry-up-were-dreaming

http://www.metrojolt.com/midnight-mojo-midnight-city-m83-alcala-remix

9 ) Phantogram

Catalyst: When I’m Small – Phantogram

One hit wonder? Because of the consistent praise and the success of their last tour, I’d have to say no.

Why they’re here: The reason they’re not higher on this list is because I believe, even though their new EP – Nightlife was anticipated and didn’t disappoint, I feel like they have an album somewhere down the line that’s just going to blow us all away.

http://www.metrojolt.com/phantogram

http://www.metrojolt.com/outside-lands-day-one-in-review#Phantogram

http://www.metrojolt.com/midnight-mojo-dont-move-phantogram

8 ) A$AP Rocky

Catalyst: Purple Swag – A$AP Rocky

One hit wonder? Personally, I despise that song so I wouldn’t even classify it as a hit, but his newest mixtape Live, Love, A$AP is phenomenal. There are some very, very low spots on the mixtape, but for every bad lyric, there’s 10 good ones leading me to believe this Harlem MC has something going for him.

Why he’s here: His music is interesting, his beats are great, his lyrics aren’t necessarily thought provoking, but have good flow and rhyme. Besides recently signing a $3 million-deal with Sony/RCA the videos for “Purple Swag” and “Peso” have been creating some legitimate internet buzz. He was asked to perform at the Creators Project in Brooklyn this year and he is continuously on the rise.

http://www.metrojolt.com/creators-project-2011-brooklyn

7 ) Tyler, The Creator

Catalyst: Yonkers – Tyler, The Creator

One hit wonder? Tyler has been releasing some unique, good stuff for a long time now (since 2009) not to mention OFWGTA – his rap group made up of Hodgy Beats, Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Geneis, Mike G and MC’d by Syd tha Kyd – has gained just as much hype with their crazy live antics. His flow, his beats, his use of effects – Tyler just knows how to make good music. His lyrics might be a bit raunchy for the younger crowd, but that’s why we love him.

Why he’s here: Like many other artists on this list, Tyler’s ability to sell out shows is second nature, his kookiness comes first. Also, the album he released May 10^th of this year had tons and tons of fake leaks (featuring artists like Neutral Milk Hotel) all over Mediafire, Pirate Bay, Files Tube, etc. because his fans simply couldn’t wait for the release. OFWGKTA and Tyler both have a tight-knit, large fan base that not only puts up with their shenanigans but encourages them.

http://www.metrojolt.com/ofwgkta

http://www.metrojolt.com/odd-future-wolf-gang-kill-them-show-review

6 ) James Blake

Catalyst: Limit To Your Love – James Blake

One hit wonder? Although “Limit To Your Love” was released last year, James Blake’s traction-gaining happened during this year. With hits like “Wilhems Scream” and “I Never Learned to Share,” not to mention the hit-riddled EP Enough Thunder, James Blake is most certainly not a one hit wonder.

Why he’s here: Blake has been selling out shows across the country and all over the world. You have to pay close attention to break down his post-dupstep, soul style, but his radical music gives him a strong, die-hard fan base.

http://www.metrojolt.com/enough-thunder

5 ) Youth Lagoon

Catalyst Cannons – Youth Lagoon

One hit wonder? Since he’s only released one album, it’s hard to say. What I can say is that every single song on that album is exceptional.

Why he’s here: Youth Lagoon, the moniker for Idaho-native Trevor Powers, has one of the most unique sounds I’ve heard in a long time. Sure you can hear bits and pieces of artists he’s pulled from but the result is so original. Even though he played at the small, 250-capacity Mercury Lounge in New York City, they added a second night for him since he sold out the first one so fast. Guess what? That one sold out too.

http://www.metrojolt.com/youth-lagoon-show-review

4 ) Childish Gambino

Catalyst: Freaks and Geeks – Childish Gambino

One hit wonder? Until the release of EP Gambino was better known as Donald Glover, the actor on Community and Derrick Comedy, but When that song dropped on March 8^th of this year, he became a real player. The recently released Camp is great, and different from most rap albums we hear.

Why he’s here: Glover is different than most rappers. Sure he has his ‘I’m the best’ moments, but there’s also quite a bit of self-deprecation, especially on Camp. His lyrics are quite personal talking about living in the projects and being made fun of for his looks. He’s been selling out shows and making a name for himself for a while now and when he was added to the SnowGlobe Music Festival lineup this year, I was overjoyed.

http://www.metrojolt.com/childish-gambino

3 ) The Head and The Heart

Catalyst: Lost in My Mind – The Head and the Heart

One hit wonder? The self-titled album and only album by the Seattle-based band was released in late 2010 but the re-mastered version was released on April 16^th, 2011. The entire album is phenomenal and although Pitchfork said it was canned, un-original Northwestern folk music, I think they’ve done a great job mixing together gospel and folk, and did have a new take on the idea.

Why they’re here: They’ve been opening for big name bands all year (Vampire Weekend, The Walkmen, Dave Matthews, The Decemberists, Iron & Wine, etc.) as well as being the headliner at their own shows. Their rocky, gospely folk makes for easy listening and their lyrics are easily relatable. Unlike some other bands on this list (M83 to be specific) there’s no need to digest them, from first listen you’re in love.

2 ) Mac Miller

Catalyst: Donald Trump (prod. Sap) – Mac Miller

One hit wonder? Mac Miller doesn’t have to worry about money. He can pretty much rap about whatever he wants and people will buy it. That’s exactly what he’s been doing. He’s got well produced beats and good flow in all his songs, I just feel there’s something missing, a lack of respect for the art of rap.

Why he’s here: Besides the fact that his recently release album Blue Slide Park was the first indie record label (Rostrum Records) release to hit number one on the charts and sold 145,000 pre-sale copies, Mac Miller has been relevant for pretty much this whole year. He released his mixtape Best Day Ever on March 11^th, 2011 and ever since, Miller has just been rising in popularity. He’s selling out pretty much every show he plays with his frat, party rap. I’m not his biggest fan, but for every one of me, there are five who are.

1 ) Foster The People

Catalyst: Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People

One hit wonder? Unfortunately, they might just be. I’m not a big fan of the rest of the album, there’s just not much substance to it. But you can’t deny their popularity. You know when you’re listening to a song and you can’t quite discern what the singer is saying? That’s how I thought I was with this song, and then I realized, “Oh, he really is saying, ‘Pumped up Kicks.’”

Why they’re here: This L.A.-based band grew huge this year, starting the year by playing in small venues to rising on Hype Machine, playing for a surprisingly packed audience at Outside Lands and Coachella. They’ve also been selling out shows all across the country, like the show at Terminal 5 in New York. They might be overly poppy, but they’re obviously doing something right and that’s why they’re the Number 1 band on this list.

http://www.metrojolt.com/foster-the-people-interview

http://www.metrojolt.com/outside-lands-day-one-in-review#FosterThePeople