9 Must-See Artists at Sasquatch 2016

By: Kristen Fisher, & Staff –

Now in its 15th year, the Sasquatch Music Festival consistently sells out with a rock solid roster of past performers that reads like a history of alternative and indie music: Arcade Fire, Beastie Boys, Beck, Bjork, The Black Keys, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Jack White, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, LCD Soundsystem, Mumford & Sons, Outkast, Pixies, R.E.M., Wilco. And with its 2016 edition, the song remains with the same with bands like Florence And The Machine, The Cure, Alabama Shakes, ASAP Rocky, and more.

Want to know who to see during your four-day trip to The Gorge? Check out our picks below for the five-must see artists at this year’s festival!

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

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Sufjan Stevens 
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Sufjan Stevens will bring his highly-acclaimed live show, which NPR calls “a life-changing performance,” to Sasquatch this year. His new album, Carrie & Lowell, is a powerful experience, with songs that address heavy topics like life and death, love and loss, and the artist’s struggle to make sense of the beauty and ugliness of love. If you want a transcendent musical experience, don’t miss him at the Sasquatch Stage on May 30.

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Chet Faker
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Aussie electronica artist Chet Faker released an EP called Work with London-based DJ Marcus Margate late last year that is just another notch in Faker’s already impressive discography. With a sound that gives you a warm, intimate feel, and grooves that make you want to get up and dance, Faker is a must-see on the Bigfoot Stage on May 27.

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Jamie xx
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Rhythm genius Jamie xx, who is best known as member of The xx, released his debut solo album, In Colour, which received a Grammy nomination, to critical acclaim. In Colour is a bold, celebratory, emotional record that features collaborations with Jamie’s The xx bandmates Romy Madley Croft (“Seesaw” and “Loud Places”) and Oliver Sim (“Stranger In A Room”), along with Young Thug, Popcaan (“Good Times”) and Four Tet (“Seesaw”), and it sounds even better live. Don’t miss him on the Bigfoot Stage on May 30.

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Andra Day
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Andra Day is a soul artist on the rise, Having released her debut album, Cheers To The Fall, in August 2015, the San Diego native has received praise from the likes of Erykah Badu, Common, Patti Labelle, Aloe Blacc, Ryan Tedder, and even Spike Lee (who directed the album’s first video, “Forever Mine“). The album tackles such topics as truth, fearlessness, vulnerability, forgiveness and love, and if you want to hear the rebirth of classic soul in person, don’t miss her on the Sasquatch stage on May 27!

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Speedy Ortiz
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Speedy Ortiz’ newest LP, Foil Deer, released last April via Carpark Records, lends a more polished sound and a pop sensibility that stands out to long time fans and new converts alike. Fronted by Sadie Dupuis, and including Mike Falcone on drums, Darl Ferm on bass, and Devin McKnight of Grass is Green on guitar, the group have spent the last year on an almost endless cross-continental touring jag, tagging along with the likes of The Breeders, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, and Thurston Moore. The record is full of lyrical complexity, guitar-based excursions and light-footed fun, which lends itself to sitting in the evening moonlight at the Yeti Stage on May 29.

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Ryan Caraveo
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Ryan Caraveo has steadily developed a skill that can take years to master. Yet this Seattle-based hip-hop extrodinaire somehow has risen above the fog and chose to not let the rain drown his sorrows. Instead, Caraveo transcends the typical on stage antics by heating up the energetic nature of his fans and soon to be fans by giving his all and more.

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Childbirth
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Even though this supergroup of musicians tend to lend their talents elsewhere, here is a band that does not take themselves so seriously. Meaning they are not afraid to talk about everything and anything that may make others squirm. But, who cares, Childbirth are a revelation in the best sense of the word. Playing in a lo-fi rock n’ roll band doesn’t have to have rules. Surely a few dance antics will break out and you’ll end up joining before you know it.

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Ruler
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Matt Batey who goes by the stage name Ruler, debuts (even before he has his first album out) a unique take on pop songs. Whether the Sasquatch stage will be ready remains to be seen, especially with Ruler’s ability to transition drum and percussion throughout his songs. Take it as metal instruments meet pop essence, so this should be interesting.

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Fauna Shade
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Psychedelic vibes are exactly what Fauna Shade provides. Expect to be entranced and lifted high above the ground. Even better is the subtle garage underlying substance that moves throughout Fauna Shade’s sound, giving off an edgy exuberance.