No Country’s Guide to Forecastle Fest | Part 2: Five Can’t-Miss Friday Bands

FORECASTLE 2013 | FRIDAY’S CAN’T-MISS 5:

FORECASTLE FESTIVAL kicks off in just a few hours in Louisville. This morning, we brought you a playlist of the entire lineup, to make sure you don’t miss out on anyone when making your schedule. Now, we’re taking it a step further, and wading through the top-notch bill ourselves, to bring you the five Friday acts you don’t want to miss!

The eclectic fest will run until Sunday, and weekend passes and single day tickets are still available right here. After the jump, preview our Friday 5:

BIG BOI [Boom Stage; 7:30PM]

If you were as bummed as we were, when the former OutKast rapper canceled his recent planned Nashville show, then you absolutely won’t want to miss his Forecastle appearance. Big Boi‘s latest release, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, proves that the Atlanta rapper doesn’t need Andre 3000 to make some of the best hip hop on the scene (but we’d still gladly take an OutKast reunion anytime please).

BOB MOULD BAND [Boom Stage; 6PM]

To say that the former Hüsker Dü frontman has been prolific in the two and a half decades since the group’s disbandment would be an understatement. Now in his ’50s, Bob Mould still makes some of the smartest, strongest, most biting, punk-tinged alt-rock in the game, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. His latest, Silver Age, is incredible, and his energetic live show is one not to miss!

MOON TAXI [WFPK Port Stage; 8:45PM]

We’ve seen Nashville’s Moon Taxi graduate to Bonnaroo, Live on the Green, and even make a recent appearance at East Nashville Underground, so it’s only fitting that you catch the local boys doing us proud at one more major event: Forecastle. They’re clearly one of the best, most dynamic rock groups to come out of Music City in recent years, and one whose popularity doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon!

HOUNDMOUTH [Mast Stage; 6:30PM]

We first introduced you to Houndmouth when they made their Bonnaroo Club Stage debut last month. Louisville is their home turf, and even went so far as to declare a “Houndmouth Day” recently, to kick off an outdoor concert series, so you know they’ll bring their A-game. The bluesy rock quartet are also labelmates of Alabama Shakes, and have received plugs from the likes of Rolling Stone.

YOUNG THE GIANT [Boom Stage; 9:15PM]

It might seem like indie rockers Young the Giant have been everywhere lately, but, regardless, they’re still a lot of fun. The California quintet exploded onto the scene a couple of years ago with hits “My Body” and “Cough Syrup,” and the followup to their self-titled debut, currently in the process of being recorded, is one of our most anticipated of next year.