Halifax Pop Explosion: Final wrap-up
Guest blogger Megan Couture reports on the last two days of the Halifax Pop Explosion. It’s unfortunate that the Dan Mangan …
Halifax Pop Explosion picks
By admin | Jul 26, 2012Tags: concert, HPX, music
Guest blogger Megan Couture reports on the latest announcement for the upcoming festival.
After a bit of a vacation, I’m back and blogging! While I was away, Halifax Pop Explosion (HPX) unveiled its line-up for its 20th anniversary festival. I’ve basically been waiting for this announcement since the last one (HPX happened to be my first series of blogs for Halifax Magazine), meticulously breaking down clues, brainstorming with friends and checking tour schedules of bands I wanted to see, hoping they may leave a little room for Halifax. This year’s festival is from Oct. 16 to Oct. 20.
Though the line-up was not what I expected (all but a few names were unfamiliar to me), I’ve come to the realization that this will be another fabulous opportunity to find new favourites. With that in mind, here’s what I’m most looking forward to:
Dan Mangan & SNS: Holy lord. Dan came last year, and for those of you not lucky enough to go, I implore you to GO TO THIS SHOW. Apart from a mind-blowing performance at St. Matt’s, he’s just a really nice dude. I cannot wait to see what he’s capable of with a full symphony!
The Pack A.D.: Channelling the likes of the White Stripes and the Black Keys, this duo tears up tracks with a fast and furious, garage-rock, blues-y vibe that I’m totally digging.
Wintersleep: I put this on here because I’m a fan but have somehow never seen Wintersleep live. Even though they’re playing the Natal Day concert in August, I think a smaller, more intimate venue and atmosphere will provide for a really special show.
El-P: Thanks to a friend who turned me on to El-P, a tough, heavy-hitting rapper that, as I understand it, is a pretty big deal. He’s been a producer, rapper and influential member of the alternative hip-hop movement since the 90s. Cheers to HPX for bringing some slick hip hop into the mix.
DVBBS: I’d never even heard of them, but the one song on the playlist was enough to convince me to buy their LP. A solid mix of EDM, Club with a tiny dash of Dubstep should get you moving and shaking at the show.
Purity Ring: Electro-pop at its finest, I’ve been lucky enough to sneak a peek at Purity Ring’s upcoming album, which is haunting, melodic and super catchy.
of Montreal: They’re weird, but sort of wonderful (and also not from Montreal, FYI). Dreamy, pop-y and odd, it’s difficult to classify of Montreal as anything other than a curiosity. I will for sure be seeing what they bring to a live setting.
I’m sure there’s more to discover, so I’m curious: What are you most excited for this year at HPX? I want to know your picks!
Great picks – you’ll like Wintersleep live. Go buy the Black Lips’ latest album “Arabia mountain.” In my opinion, it was the best album released last year (anywhere).
Cheers,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Awesome, thanks very much! I’ll give Black Lips a listen too – cheers for the recommendation!
Megan