10 Non-Headlining Forecastle Acts Not to Miss

Music Lists

This Friday, the 10th annual Forecastle festival is set to kick off at the Waterfront Park in Louisville, Ky. For the festival’s 10th year, the creators called on some reliable (and locally trusted) curators in My Morning Jacket. The result was a lineup that includes widely recognized acts like Wilco, Girl Talk and Neko Case, along with some rising newcomers in Beach House and Charles Bradley.

In honor of the festival’s 10th anniversary, we took a look at 10 non-headlining acts that you shouldn’t miss. Let us know who you’re excited to see in the comment box below.

10. Mike Doughty
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Set Time: July 15, 3 p.m., Boom Stage
If a tongue-in-cheek self-awareness made tons of money, Mike Doughty would be swimming in cash. The former frontman of Soul Coughing loves to remind people that yes, he is the guy from Soul Coughing. It’s not as some kind of ego boost, but rather as a way to get the statement out of the way in order to get to the good stuff. And Doughty’s solo efforts are, in fact, good stuff. He offers folksy, earnest alt-rock with a glint in his eye.—Patricia Miranda

9. Nerves Junior
Hometown:Louisville, Ky.
For Fans of: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., The Flaming Lips
Set Time: July 13, 6:30, Port Stage
Attendees from out of town: if you’re looking for Kentucky’s best-kept secrets, be sure to catch Nerves Junior kick things off on the Port Stage on Friday. The band, one of our favorite groups of up-and-comers from Kentucky, are sure to please with their electronic-rooted rock songs.—Tyler Kane

8. Washed Out
Hometown: Perry, Ga.
For Fans of: M83, Beach House
Set Time: July 14, 7:30 p.m., Red Bull Ocean Stage
The full-bodied production of Washed Out, a.k.a. Ernest Greene, can’t be mistaken. It’s engulfing in its haziness, but never to the point of disorientation. You always know where you are within the dreamy soundscape, and this synth-pop wizard should deliver an awesome set.—Patricia Miranda

7. Sleeper Agent
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ky.
For Fans of: Young the Giant, Givers, Cage the Elephant
Set Time: July 13, 11 p.m., Port Stage
Here’s another quality Forecastle act that was pulled from the festival’s own backyard. Sleeper Agent—which made waves this year on the touring circuit and with an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s show the louder side of pop with cranked guitars and playful harmonies.—Tyler Kane

6. JEFF the Brotherhood
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
For Fans of: The Black Keys, The Stooges, Weezer
Set Time: July 13, 10 p.m., Starboard Stage
It’s been the big year for Nashville’s JEFF the Brotherhood, a duo that’s just released what should be their breakthrough album, Hypnotic Nights, on Warner Bros. records. The duo blends part hazy garage rock with pop sensibilities, and the sound is tailor-made for cold beers in July heat.—Tyler Kane

In honor of the festival’s 10th anniversary, we took a look at 10 non-headlining acts that you shouldn’t miss. Let us know who you’re excited to see in the comment box below.

5. Lower Dens
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
For Fans of: Beach House, Here We Go Magic, Caveman
Set Time: July 15, 4:15 p.m., Starboard Stage
This quintet knows how to handle their reverb and synths, but the noise doesn’t end there for Baltimore’s Lower Dens. A rock component adds to the dreamwave genre currently flooding indie and college radio stations, and Jana Hunter’s unusual vocals are exactly what the band needs in order to round out their signature sound.—Clint Alwahab

4. Fruit Bats
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
For Fans of: Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit
Set Time: July 15, 7 p.m., Starboard Stage
Known for being one of the first on the emerging folk-rock scene in the early aughts, frontman Eric D. Johnson and the rest of the Fruit Bats have patiently flown under the radar, quietly producing emotional indie-folk for more than a decade. Johnson has fully proven himself in the indie sphere by scoring films and joining the Shins for a period, all while continuing to weave ‘70s-inspired, narrative saturated acoustic tunes with his Fruit Bats.—Katie King

3. Cloud Nothings
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
For Fans of: Real Estate, The War on Drugs
Set Time: July 15, 4:45 p.m., Mast Stage
Cloud Nothings are still holding onto their previously established lo-fi sound, but there’s something different about their latest album. Expect to hear the catchy, guitar-driven tracks, but add a touch of reverb, intense chord progressions (see: “No Future/No Past” and the nearly prog-structured “Wasted Days”) and you won’t be disappointed.—Clint Alwahab

2. Cheyenne Marie Mize
Hometown:Louisville, Ky.
For Fans of: Fiona Apple, Bonnie “Prince” Billy
Set Time: July 15, 8 p.m., Port Stage
Her latest album, We Don’t Need, is laced with sounds of pop, soul and folk, which give each track its own personality. Her delicate, bold voice narrates her dreamy, emotionally raw lyrics. With such a diverse musical foundation, Mize is an artist to keep your eye on.—Mariah Czap

1. Wye Oak
Hometown:Baltimore, Md.
For Fans of:Beach House, Sharon Van Etten
Set Time: July 14, 3 p.m., Boom Stage
Although they draw comparisons to acts like Beach House, Wye Oak brings something different to the world of dream-pop: noise. Their latest album, Civilian, is lined with surges of distortion, haunting drones and of course, Jenn Wasner’s husky voice. Since 2006, the duo has been creating the perfect balance between their explosions of sound and honest lyrics, making them an act you don’t want to miss.—Mariah Czap

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