Bonnaroo Club Stage Roundup: Kaleo, Kandace Springs, Kevin Garrett, Mick Jenkins

Just like last year and the year before, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with every single band on Bonnaroo‘s impressive 2015 lineup.  We started from the bottom and have been working our way up, paying special attention to the smaller and lesser known acts on this year’s bill with daily, dedicated Bonnaroo Band of the Day and Bonnaroo Club Stage Band of the Day posts. Now that ‘Roo is fast approaching, and we’re adminttedly playing catch up through the rest of the fest’s lineup in the form of group posts. Keep reading for your Bonnaroo Band of the Day Club Stage Roundup!

KALEO

Saturday | Who Stage | 2:30pm

Kaleo are an Icelandic folk rock act who’ve actually made a relatively big name for themselves overseas. However, they’ve dedicated themselves in 2015 to spreading their music throughout the United States, and frankly we couldn’t be happier to welcome them onto American soil. The four piece play in a similar style to an act that’s already popular here in the States, Bon Iver. However, Kaleo’s music is less depressing and colored by a distinctly more Icelandic flavor than Bon Iver’s output. There’s also a distinct blues influence which helps to distinguish Kaleo. Regardless of how you try to describe their tunes, it’s obvious that the group’s major strength is integrating poignant emotions into their songs without letting them become cheesy. It’s a fine line to walk, but few acts seem to do so with the grace of Kaleo. These guys will probably be big in the American indie folk scene, but you can catch them now, while they’re still relatively unheard, at this year’s Bonnaroo.

LISTEN | “I Can’t Go On Without You” (Live)

WATCH | “All the Pretty Girls” (Official Music Video)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

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KANDACE SPRINGS

Saturday | On Tap Lounge | 5pm

Though Kandace Springs is originally from Nashville, she’s since relocated to New York City. Despite the move, Springs still has the love and support of Music City, as her funky, soulful tunes are exactly the sort of thing most Nashvillians love. The singer is the latest entry in a proud line of empowered female singers like Tina Turner, Norah Jones and Erykah Badu. Much like her predecessors, Springs utilizes her powerful voice and some truly funky beats to grab your attention. Once you’re paying attention, however, you realize that Springs’ lyricism is just as poignant as her musical content. Kandace has attracted a lot of attention in the music scene recently, for good reason. She’s the kind of artist that it’s hard not to like, which is why you should check out her set at this year’s Roo.

LISTEN | “Love Don’t Live Here No More” (with Ghostface Killah)

WATCH | “Love Got In the Way” (Official Music Video)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

KEVIN GARRETT

Saturday | On Tap Stage | 3:15 pm

Depending on how regularly you read the site, you may or may not remember us talking about a Communion showcase involving Kevin Garrett. In that post, we told you about how Garrett was a uniquely talented artist in the sense that his songwriting, voice, and musicality are all equally extraordinary. Those are sentiments we still believe in today. Though Garrett has only released one formal effort so far, Mellow Drama, it’s already quite obvious that this artist is only at the beginning of a successful career. Shows like Communion and his Bonnaroo debut will hopefully serve to garner the recognition this artist rightfully deserves. If that’s a mission you agree with, be sure to check out his set at the New Music On Tap Lounge.

LISTEN | “Coloring”

WATCH | “You Send Me” (Behind the Glass Sessions)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

MICK JENKINS

Sunday | On Tap Lounge | 7pm 

Chicago based rapper Mick Jenkins is just what today’s hip hop scene needs. He’s part of a class of rappers that are looking to take the themes of hip hop back in a more substantive direction than much of the genre’s mainstream output is rooted in. In this respect, Jenkins isn’t alone, as numerous up-and-comers and even a few established acts have adopted similar formulas. What sets Jenkins apart is that he isn’t all serious. Rather than taking on the “holier than thou” mentality we’ve seen from other rappers trying to enact change or focusing solely on wealth and status, Jenkins talks about both the good and the bad in life. This fact, when coupled with his well produced beats, makes it obvious why Jenkins has been able to generate the following he has.

LISTEN | “P’s & Q’s”

WATCH | “Martyrs” (Official Music Video)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

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