Longitude 2017 is decidedly more hip-hop, pop and R&B based than previous years. Take away Mumford & Sons and there’s not a lot of what you’d normally see on the lineups at Marlay Park. That’s cool, music festivals should change with tastes and generations – Oxegen tried to be everything to everyone and that couldn’t last. Longitude is somewhat a replacement for that festival, without the ugly scenes, campsite and mud. Longitude has become a young people’s festival because it’s one of the few that lets in those younger than 18. That’s important. I went to Witnness and Oxegen every years since I was able to and the bands and music I saw there shaped my life and the friends I have, so next time you feel like giving out about the amount of young people around you at a festival, remember that was you once. Probably.
Anyway, New music is what Nialler9 is all about so that’s what we’re talking about here with my 6 acts to see at the festival, whatever age you are, this weekend. So our rule here is a realtively new act, who hasn’t played here before or much, or a local act very deserving of your attention, and attention this weekend.
1.
Loyle Carner
Friday, Heineken Stage, 16:30pm
I’ve heard great things about Loyle Carner’s live set from the Workman’s Club earlier this year and his conscious UK rap style is one that I have come back to regularly since the release of his album Yesterday’s Gone earlier this year with ‘No CD’ the standout. Watch him bring his Mum onstage at Glastonbury last month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTWdTXBrSvQ
2.
Sigrid
Saturday, Whelan’s Stage, 15:30pm
It was the Jools Holland performance that gave me the shivers and convinced me of this young Norwegian’s talent. Her debut song ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’ has been on regular repeat since and I do indeed, love her vibe on the track – a confident happy-go-lucky demeanour, a fiercely resolute fuck you to the subject of the song. Live is where she brings the sentiment to life too. I would go to Longitude just for that song tbh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVsuPeewm2E
3.
Mix & Fairbanks
Friday, Red Bull Woodlands stage, 21:15pm
Kildare up and comers Gary O’Reilly and Rob Smyth aka Mix & Fairbanks skills as DJs playing disco and house edits and classics started them on their path and they recently got into making their own tracks to whopping effect. Next up for them, is a featured track on Orange Tree Edits Vol 3 but for now, their own song ‘Girls’ should be the soundtrack to the summer, if I had my way.
4.
Mick Jenkins
Saturday, Heineken Stage, 18:30pm
Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins released two solid mixtapes The Water(s) and Waves in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Last year, his The Healing Component debut followed and took love as the answer for society’s woes. A live Jenkins show is a hip-hop set with soul.
5.
Ray BLK
Saturday, Main Stage, 2pm
Winning the BBC Critics Choice is recent years has been a curse rather than a blessing but the London R&B artist has got fans and momentum building despite that fact with Stormzy features and independent-minded pop anthems. This will be her Irish debut.
6.
Soulé
Saturday, Heineken Live Your Music, 5:30pm
Soulé is one of the most promising new artists in Ireland and whether she’s singing over soul, ’90s house, 2step, garage or R&B rhythms, there’s a pop streak in her songs that is hard to ignore. Read a recent interview about her life so far.
