Over here at TVD, Clark Newman, Jenn Bress and I can’t wait for Sweetlife Festival this Sunday! The festival returns this year with a fierce lineup including headliners The Strokes, and over the next two days, TVD will be giving you a little preview of what you’ll be seeing at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Set times were just announced this morning and are listed below. Need a ticket? There are still some available at Ticketfly.
Ra Ra Riot 3:00 – 3:30
Sweet indie rockers Ra Ra Riot released their latest album The Orchard in the US last year, and it is being released in the UK on May 16th. In support of the album, they are kicking off a European tour in London right after their stint at Sweetlife, and this summer they are also set to play the Ottawa Bluesfest in Canada and the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. Sweetlife is your last chance to catch them stateside for a while!
Reminisce for a moment with me [Olivia] as I listen to “Can You Tell” from their 2008 album The Rhumb Line. “My bed’s too big for just me” gets me thinking about boys from the past every time.
Theophilus London 2:15 – 2:45
I [Clark] am really excited about Theophilus London, a rappingman whose style is versatile, authentic and original. Check out the video for “Century Girl,” largely filmed on VHS. Theophilus London hails from Brooklyn and just screams Brooklyn. Look for him to go on at 2:15 for a 30 minute set as a fresh detour from guitar rock.
Walk the Moon 1:40 – 2:00
Walk the Moon is an indie pop rock outfit from Cincinatti, OH consisting of lead singer Nicholas Petricca, bassist Kevin Ray, guitarist Eli Maiman and drummer Sean Waugaman. They have a bright positive sound with strong pipes from the lead man. Their most recent album i want! i want! was released in November 2010.
U.S. Royalty 1:15 – 1:35
Local heroes (we always call them that because it’s true) U.S. Royalty return for their second Sweetlife Festival, and it’s a far cry from rocking a Dupont Circle parking lot a year ago. TVD went on a First Date with the boys yesterday, which they kindly made time for while they are gearing up for their tour with Third Eye Blind, which kicks off tomorrow in New Hampshire. USR’s debut album MIRRORS was just released in January, and “Monte Carlo” from the album has been called “the best unrecorded Fleetwood Mac song I’ve ever heard.”
Confession: I [Olivia] have a twee-like crush on all of them, and I wish their set was longer.
Modern Man 12:50 – 1:10
Modern Man is a new band out of Washington, DC who describe themselves as “Analog Rock,” a claim supported by their raw rock sound. They’re working on their first EP, set to be released in April, which it is, so where is it? Modern Man is the first set of the day at 12:50, check it out!
From their Bandcamp: We’re going to be releasing a proper EP in April 2011. In the mean time, here are a few rough tracks to tide you over.
We’re impatiently counting down the days till Sweetlife! Check in with us tomorrow for a peek at the other bands who will be playing: The Strokes, Girl Talk, Lupe Fiasco, Crystal Castles, and Cold War Kids!
