Primavera Ones to Watch: Weekend Two
With Primavera in full swing we take a look at weekend two for artists we think you’d be a fool to miss.
With one of the best line ups in recent memory, we were hard pressed to narrow down our picks for weekend two of Primavera. From Brittany Howards soul infused prog, Ashnikko’s weirdo world of pop or Megan Thee Stallion’s tantalising lyricisms once again, we’ve taken on the near impossible task of cherry picking five ones to watch from Weekend 2.
Brittany Howard
You may already be familiar with Brittany Howard as the lead singer of now defunct band Alabama Shakes. But if you’re not familiar with her, it doesn’t matter. Her live performances are so incendiary that you don’t need to know any of her songs to be captivated by her powerful vocals, soulful band and hippy energy. Howard is an artist that defy’s being defined. In one set she will perform gentle ballads of young love, hard reflections on the black community and society as a whole, she will go full prog, jam out and cover a few soul staples. So make sure you get down to this show.
Ashnikko
If Charli XCX is the queen of a groundbreaking new age of glistening pop then Ashnikko might just be the king. Ashnikko’s debut mixtape demidevil was one of our favourite releases from 2021 and we can’t wait to see her perform Daisy and Toxic live.
The Strokes
What can be said of The Strokes live that hasn’t already been said. Similar to a band like Radiohead, it’s no surprise how well their music is articulated live, they’re a colossal band that still seems to have a currency of cool that their 2000s counterparts failed to retain (although, we do strongly recommend seeing Yeah Yeah Yeah’s too). Like a lot of bands, The Strokes barely had an opportunity to tour and perform their new album The New Abnormal due to Covid, so like many fans we can’t wait to hear some of these songs live.
The Smile
The Smile is a new project from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood with Sons of Kemit’s Tom Skinner on drums. Their debut album received unsurprising critical acclaim and if their live performances on YouTube are anything to go by, the audience at Primavera will be in for a treat.
Megan Thee Stallion
Perhaps one of the most interesting artists in this predominantly indie / alternative line up is Megan Thee Stallion. An artist who rose to huge level’s of fame with 2020’s ‘WAP’. She’s an artist who’s empowering performances have become notorious. Expect dirty beats, seductive dancing and unforgettable lyricism.
