6 Must-See Bands at Glastonbury 2016

By: Josh Terzino –

As far as summer music festivals, nothing comes close to the size and prestige of Glastonbury. The Pilton fest is considered a mecca for music lovers across the globe, and most UK bands grew up dreaming of headlining one of the stages. This year’s lineup is filled with popular bands that everyone in attendance will be trying to see from June 22nd to the 26th, so here are some options that may be less crowded but no less amazing.

Tickets to the Glastonbury 2016 are on-sale now here.

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Ezra Furman
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Over the past two years Ezra Furman and The Boy-Friends may have played as many shows across the pond as they have in the States. The singer/songwriter has garnered quite a following across England and Ireland since his first solo album, The Year Of No Returning, hit shelves back in 2013. He’s one of the best American songwriters working today, and the live show burns with a smoldering intensity that feels like it could explode at any second.

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Kamasi Washington
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Saxophonist Kamasi Washington appeared on two great albums in 2015 – Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly and Thundercat’s Them Changes. He also put out his own three-hour record, aptly titled The Epic. Washington acts as some nice counter programming to the Ellie Goulding and Muse-types that will be filling most of the days.

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Hinds
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In a year that’s been full of great records by women, none has outshone Leave Me Alone by Hinds. The Spanish quartet have been around for five years already, but finally broke through with a collection of singles last year. Their sound is a bit like Dum Dum Girls earlier output, 60’s garage psych-pop that’s a little rough around the edges but balanced out by an innocent sweetness.

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Santigold
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After a nice long break, Santigold came back earlier this year with a new album called 99 Cents. It’s right up there with her widely-acclaimed debut record in overall quality. The time off seems to have done her well, as recent live videos show her energized and eager to challenge and enlighten audiences again.

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John Grant
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2010’s Queen Of Denmark, the debut solo album from The Czar’s John Grant, was a statement of artistry so electrifying it still gets regular play on many an iPhone. Grant’s no-holds-barred songwriting is brilliantly clever and honest. He’s also one helluva performer, as evidenced by his set at last year’s Iceland Airwaves Festival with the Iceland Symphony in his newly adopted home of Reykjavík.

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Unknown Mortal Orchestra
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This band has been gaining popularity since they came out in earnest back in 2011. Last year’s Multi-Love was one of the best albums of 2015, and their live set has been getting better and better as they toured around the world. UMO’s music has an undeniable energy that’s perfect for dancing in the hot summer sun.