Laneway Festival 2020 First Lineup Announcement

The most exciting rock band on the planet. A pop artist who is as successful as she is boundary-pushing. One of the finest electronic acts in recent years. Australia’s most productive psych-rock band. And so much more. The 2020 Laneway line-up is here!

As previously announced, the Laneway Festival hits Auckland’s beloved Albert Park on Monday 27th January 2020. Hands down, the absolute best way to celebrate Auckland Anniversary Day!

ST JEROMES LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2020

Monday 27th January | Albert Park | Auckland | R18

Tickets on sale Thursday 26th September from Lanewayfestival.com/Auckland.

About the artists:

BBNO$

Coming through as the voice of the New-New generation is Vancouver’s BBNO$, a musician well-versed in the art of going viral. bbno$ (real name Alex Gumuchian) blurs the lines between rap, electronic music and pretty much anything else he can get his hands on. He’s the latest Tik-Tok success story, with single ‘lalala’ going berserk on the app and landing him on the Spotify Top Charts for an entire month with a cool 44 million streams. Always collaborating with makers across platforms, from YouTube to Soundcloud, bbno$ is a relentless creator and bona fide room-filler, with 4 world tours under his belt, a cult following in China and a third album on the way. Check him out at Laneway and find out what all the rage is about.

BENEE

Everyone’s talking about BENEE, New Zealand’s latest evidence of the country being the singer-songwriter capital of the world. Since nestling into the playlists of triple j listeners everywhere with the sultry ‘Soaked’, which cracked 2018’s Hottest 100, the 19 year old Aucklander (aka Stella Bennett) released her first EP FIRE ON MARZZ, chock-full of chunky guitar grooves sitting behind a seriously impressive voice. Recorded with esteemed producer John Fountain at the legendary Golden Age Studio, it features recent singles ‘Evil Spider’ and ‘Glitter’, marking Benee as a definitive talent to watch. After debuting at Laneway back home in NZ last year, she’s back for the full buffet brekky. Grab a plate and dig in. [Only New Zealand show this summer]

CHARLI XCX

If the charts were a crime scene, CHARLI XCX’s DNA would be everywhere. An award-winning, multi-platinum-selling songwriter with a knack for insistently sticky melodies (see: Icona Pop’s ‘I Love It’ and Iggy Azalea’s ‘Fancy’), Charli has definitively veered into her own lane with a slew of releases that see her pushing the perimeters of pop. Her recently released third album, Charli, pairs the cutting edge textures of PC Music with first class guest vocalists, from Lizzo, Haim and Skye Ferriera to Christine & The Queens, marking yet another left turn for a relentless trailblazer. At just 27, Charlotte Aitchison has won the coveted Sesac Songwriter of the Year twice, been nominated for multiple Grammys, runs her own record label and radio station and famously flipped the male gaze directing her own video for ‘Boys’, which featured thirsty shots of everyone from Stormzy and Diplo to our very own Flume. Catch this multi-hyphenate musical meteor at Laneway before she heads for outer space. [Exclusive, no sideshows]

COL3TRANE

COL3TRANE was once dubbed ‘North London’s Answer to Frank Ocean’, which is a pretty strong way to start a conversation. He’s certainly got the pipes; a smooth, downtempo croon that has made him the go-to collaborator for artists as diverse as Goldlink and SG Lewis. Reared on a combination of Motown and cutting-edge UK jazz, Cole Basta’s music combines a love of hip-hop with sumptuous production that far belie his 20 years. If he’s going to be the next big thing, it certainly helps that he’s already written himself the soundtrack.

EARL SWEATSHIRT
Get ready for beats, angst and rhymes with the endlessly subversive EARL SWEATSHIRT. Emerging from the ashes of Odd Future (Tyler, The Creator, Frank Ocean, The Internet et al) with the lo-fi classic Doris, Earl has since become something of a misanthropic shaman for heads that love their hip-hop with a dose of gritty realism. Since his memorable last outing at Laneway, he’s released two critically acclaimed records that have each become progressively darker, disappeared for years at a time and more recently, popped up on tour with Anderson .Paak, Thundercat and Mac DeMarco. Don’t miss the perennial enigma of noughties rap as he returns to our shores in 2020. [Exclusive, no sideshows]

ELEVEN7FOUR

Who isn’t a sucker for a good two-for-one deal? Look no further – identical twin rappers Muche and Shingi are ELEVEN7FOUR, familiar faces in the Auckland nightlife scene who bring a different double-barrelled flavour to the hip hop game. Originally from Zimbabwe but raised in Auckland, the duo made waves earlier this year with ‘Down for That’, and recent EP lead in tracks ‘C-note’ and ‘Music x Molly’ before unleashing their debut self-titled EP earlier this Month. Known for hard-hitting bass lines and heavily distorted 808’s, the twins dynamic sound stretches to beautiful and melodic compositions chewed up and spat out in a way only they know how. Taking inspiration from their hip hop influences before adding their own glitzy late-night party-lights vibe, eleven7four have found their niche and created an infectious new sound that is sure to take the world by storm. Having sealed themselves as ones to watch in 2019, don’t miss this double-dose of boisterous high energy genius in what will be this audacious duo’s Laneway debut.

FONTAINES D.C.

From the backstreets and pubs of working class Dublin to the sunny shores of Australia, life’s changing fast for ferocious Irish post-punks, FONTAINES D.C. Formed from what they politely term as the ashes of ‘nothing bands’, the high voltage quintet has certainly become something quite extraordinary. In the space of a year, they turned a handful of blistering singles into a steady wave of hype, buoyed by the UK’s disaffection with Brexit seeping its way into rock music at an unprecedented level. But forget the comparisons to other guttural, guitar-wielding bands, Fontaines are true originals. Steeped in the romantic poetic tradition of their country’s best songwriters, their naked lyricism and high-octane delivery has earned plaudits from Pitchfork to The Guardian and we’re delighted to have them join us for their first ever Laneway.

HOCKEY DAD

Putting Windang on the map since 2014 comes HOCKEY DAD, the NSW South Coast duo with a love for strange snippets of The Simpsons and catchy-AF indie rock that only gets better with each listen. Childhood mates Zach and Billy have been friends since ‘99 and bust out brash jams that sounds like they’re having the time of their life. It clearly works wonders; their last record, Blend Inn, landed them sold out shows throughout Australia and internationally, and three separate postings in 2018’s triple j Hottest 100. Paddle in to party with Hockey Dad for their only Australasian shows this summer.

J.I.D

Out to rewrite Atlanta’s trap-heavy recent history, J.I.D mounts his Laneway debut off the back of some seriously swelling hype. Whether it’s his early alliance with the craziest cats since Outkast, EARTHGANG, or his signing to J.Cole’s label, JID’s name – and unique, high-pitched sound – is popping up in all the right places. Building his own community of artists (in the vein of D’Angelo and Questlove’s Soulquarians), JID’s painstakingly honed sound blends funk drums, subsonic bass and classic sampling, but when all is said and done, it’s all about his effortless lyrical wordplay. Radio already loves him; his last record DiCaprio 2 was a triple j feature album. Now it’s time for Laneway to show him some love, too.

JULIA JACKLIN

For those in a relationship crisis or fresh out of one, the return to Laneway of this much- adored Blue Mountain artist is your antidote! Captivating Australian singer-songwriter JULIA JACKLIN sings songs born from feelings of heartbreak, infatuation and loss, taking listeners on an elegantly raw and emotional musical journey with her in-the-moment narrative of devastating hard-hitting lyrics and gently, transportive guitar and harmonies. Earlier this year, Jacklin released her brilliant sophomore album Crushing to rave reviews, singles like ‘Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You’ and ‘Body’ hitting home with fans and critics alike. With her undeniable aesthetic and shattering live show, Julia is attracting widespread global appeal, a perfect time for her to once more grace a Laneway stage. So round up some attitude and find your spot in the grass – any malady, past or present, will be swiftly counteracted by a soul-soothing performance from the utterly mesmerising, brutally honest but thoroughly tender, Julia Jacklin.

KAIIT

Batten down the hatches for the tremendous force of nature that is Melbourne’s KAIIT. Personally designated by Jill Scott and Erykah Badu as their unofficial Australian lovechild, the neo-soul stunner has had a searing ascent since her first single dropped a little over a year ago. Since then, the Papua New-Guinea-born singer has lapped the country on a sold-out tour, racked up millions of Spotify streams and handily nailed Europe, with two capacity London shows as she got industry tongues wagging at The Great Escape. At only 21 years old, Kaiit has plaudits coming out of her eyeballs and incredible melodies flowing from her mouth in a funk-drenched live show that has critics reaching for superlatives. Be sure to witness the fittest diva in the business at Laneway 2020.

KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD

The stupendously prodigious and globally beloved KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD take a break from their manic music schedule to return to Laneway and melt some minds. Since we last hosted them on our stages, the ‘Giz released five stellar albums in a single year and just kept on going. Record number 15, Infest the Rats Nest debuted at #2 on the ARIA charts, and marks their second full-length release for 2019. Not a bad effort for a band who are only in their ninth year of existence. Their genuine devotion to rock and roll has garnered them a bona fide cult from London to Madrid and beyond, particularly noticeable at their own Gizzfest day festival. More than psych, more than prog, more than pretty much bloody anything, this double-drumming Hydra has enough material to play the entire festival tour alone. The Melburnians continue to blow our minds and feed our souls and we’re thrilled to have them back.

MAHALIA

Though she’s spiritual pulse behind a new generation of UK R&B, MAHALIA is no rookie. Signed to a record deal barely out of primary school, she scored her first global smash on Colors with ‘Sober’, seen by over 10 million people before she was allowed to vote. Since then, she’s released hit after hit, finally culminating in her debut record that dropped this month. Mahalia’s unmistakable Leicester brogue and seductive melodies have graced tracks by Kojey Radical, Little Simz and Rudimental, but she’s at best dancing, singing and dropping brilliant bants on stage. Slide in for the beats, stay for that voice. After a decade of development, it’s Mahalia’s time to shine.

MERMAIDENS

The bewitching Wellington trio of childhood friends that is indie psych band MERMAIDENS, form a powerful trinity of unwavering creativity and relentless work ethic. Signed to iconic indie label Flying Nun Records, they have released two critically acclaimed albums: Perfect Body which served up the mesmerising tracks ‘Sunstone’ and the equally sinister ‘Satsuma’ and the just released Look Me In The Eye with glorious singles ‘I Might Disappear’ and ‘Millennia’. Characterised by twinkly reverb-laden guitar lines, rich vocal harmonies and vibrant drums, it’s easy to see why Mermaidens ethereal and haunting music leaves audiences enchanted. No need to leave your fins at the gate, Laneway 2020 welcomes all Finfolk, Melusines, Selkies and Water-Nymphs. Embrace your inner merman/mermaid, take a mesmerising dip into the shimmering realms of post-punk psych rock and get caught up in the swell of Mermaidens hypnotic live synergy. This is one merfolk gathering you won’t want to miss!

OMAR APOLLO

Making his Australian and Laneway debut, OMAR APOLLO is ready to prick your ears and capture your heart. A 21-year-old first-generation Mexican-American singer from Indiana, Apollo’s diverse background bleeds into his influences – from The Internet to Smino – to form his unique voice. From working at McDonalds and surfing Soundcloud in his spare time to releasing his first EP in two languages and attracting rave reviews from Pitchfork to The Fader, he’s had a big two years. Bump his latest offering, Friends, before catching his Spanish-flecked funk IRL.

RUEL

A genuine pop phenomenon, RUEL has plaudits for days and songs for weeks. Like all great megastars in the making, Ruel was discovered busking by Grammy award-winning producers, M Phazes. after breaking hearts throughout highschool. His critically acclaimed debut READY EP, spawned the multi-platinum and Gold status singles ‘Dazed & Confused’ and ‘Younger’. Since then, he’s nailed more than a few firsts, like being the youngest artist to twice sell out The Sydney Opera House and to win a Breakthrough Artist ARIA (at 16!). He’s just released a new EP titled Free Time, which includes recent singles ‘Painkiller’, ‘Face To Face’ and latest drop ‘Real Thing’. Ruel’s serious business, with more than 300 million streams around the world, driven by an army of fans. We’re so excited to welcome him to Laneway.

RÜFÜS DU SOL

Electro-dance trio RÜFÜS DU SOL have emerged as one of the world’s preeminent live electronic acts. The Australian three-piece have won the world over with two platinum-certified albums, Atlas and Bloom with their newly unveiled third album Solace ushering in a new chapter for the genre bleeding band. RÜFÜS DU SOL’s solid touring schedule has seen them grace the stages of some of the worlds’ biggest festivals including appearances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, Splendour In The Grass, Las Vegas’ Life Is Beautiful, Electric Forest, Utah’s Bonaza Campout and more, reflecting that they are steadily becoming one of the world’s most popular live electronic acts. Occupying the intersection of propulsive indie music and emotive house, heady tracks like ‘Sundream’ and ‘You Were Right’ encompass all the DIY live aesthetics of rock with the euphoria of classic club culture, creating an immersive, melodic sonic realm all their own. Make sure to catch their Laneway set and prepare to be entranced!

SOAKED OATS

SOAKED OATS are a young four-piece band that percolated into existence in Dunedin, New Zealand in 2017. Catapulted by their infectious and joyful shows and fast-evolving song-writing chops, the band’s profile and fanbase are on a steep rise. Described as “a southern stew of Kurt Vile and Mac DeMarco with a good shake of Kevin Morby”, the sound of Soaked Oats is happy and relaxed, full of whirling guitars, sweet melodies and surf rock drums. Notorious for writing jovial life observational numbers about stoned fruit, tracks like ‘Avocado Aficionado’ and ‘I’m A Peach’ and strangely enough ‘Stoned Fruit’, reveal a cheeky pop vibe that is more delectable that the usual stodgy pop fodder. 2019 saw the release of their most accomplished work to date, The Sludge Pop EP. The bands single ‘Coming Up’ was discovered by indie-rock icon Sharon Van Etten who shared to her 90 thousand plus fans and sell-out shows across NZ and Australia followed. Get ready to chow down and get your fill of some delicious, high-energy Soaked Oats at Laneway 2020!

STELLA DONNELLY

The indisputable voice of a generation, STELLA DONNELLY returns from her world-conquering album tour to play Laneway Festival. From her conversation-starting ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ through to her thought-provoking debut, Beware Of The Dogs, it seems like there’s nothing this Freo firebrand can’t do. Previous triple j Unearthed Artist of The Year, Donnelly made 2019 her year. Her album won adulation from music media and tastemaker radio across the world, she played sold out festivals and shows in London, New York, LA and at VIVID Live and was personally invited by Billy Bragg to take the stage at Glastonbury. Safe to say, she’s properly gig ready.

THE 1975

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more exciting, talked-about band than our brilliant 2020 headliners, THE 1975. The Mancunian quartet is fast-becoming one of the biggest acts on the planet, matching critical acclaim with commercial success and continually defying expectations with new left turns on each radically innovative release. They’ve won multiple Brit and Q Awards, been nominated for Mercurys and Grammys, have 3 back-to-back No.1 albums under their belt and another just around the corner. Singer Matt Healy has cemented himself as an undeniable cult icon, calling out toxic masculinity in the industry and recently enlisting Greta Thunberg on a new track to rail against climate change. From electronic pop to riff-ready, lighters-up rock, The 1975 are an unstoppable creative force and we can’t wait to see what they pull out of the bag on our main stage.

THE CHATS

THE CHATS are three self-confessed ‘dropkick drongos from the Sunshine Coast’, but anyone that’s seen them tear up a stage will contend that this description isn’t entirely fair. Masters of mayhem they may be, but with a slew of singles forcing their way up the charts since 2016, they’re hardly lazy. You’ve likely heard their track ‘Pub Feed’ spinning on triple j or ‘Smoko’, their breakout song so catchy even Iggy Pop, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme rate it. As it turns out, they’ve got heaps more where that came from. It’s the 19 year old punk rockers’ first time at Laneway. Let’s hope they don’t break anything.

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