Xylouris White (Sat, 6; 5:30pm, ATP stage)
Besides having some of the most chill promo pics of all time [pictured above], Greek singer/lute player George Xylouris and Dirty Three’s drummer Jim White are THE “unknown” band to check out in this years’ NOS Primavera Sound. Tradition meets modernity in this unusual synergy between Cretan folk and modern, inventive rock music.
Kevin Morby (Sat, 6; 9pm, Pitchfork stage)
Of course we couldn’t create a list without mentioning our protégé Kevin Morby, returning to Portugal after a sold out show in Aveiro last October,
promoted, of course, by ourselves. The singer-songwriter will be presenting his latest album, Still Life, out late last year on Woodsist, with a three-piece band on his back. Can’t wait to see those songs take flight.
Shellac (Sat, 6; midnight, Pitchfork stage)
Come on… Did we really have to mention this? It’s the same exact shit every year (except it isn’t – this time they’re presenting their first album in seven years, Dude Incredible), and it’s always the most exciting timeslot of the festival. Long live Steve Albini and his love for Primavera Sound that keeps them coming year after year. You know you want to see them again!
The New Pornographers (Sat, 6; 12:35am, ATP stage)
Where can you find truly happy faces in this year’s festival? In the New Pornos concert, of course! For the first time in Portugal, the Canadian all-star band (Destroyer’s Dan Bejar, AC Newman, Neko Case et al.) will be delivering hit after hit just half an hour after Shellac takes the stage, which leaves me with the biggest dilemma of the whole festival: do I miss the ending of the Shellac concert or the first New Pornographers songs? I wish every festival had hard choices like this one, instead of “do I watch this or go drink some more?”.
Ought (Sat, 6; 2am, ATP stage)
Before the final party begins on the Pitchfork tent, gently tear yourself apart with Ought, who released one of the most interesting debuts of 2014, More Than Any Other Day (and the accompanying EP Once More With Feeling…). Honestly, I don’t know if they power up or constrain their energy-filled post-post-punk songs even more when taking a stage, but I want to be surprised. It’s been years since I wanted to see a new rock band live so bad. I need them to slay.
Bonus: Sun Kil Moon (Fri, 5; 9:45pm, Pitchfork stage)
If you only started listening to Sun Kil Moon after Benji, do yourself a favor and listen to April and Ghosts of the Great Highway instead. See you on Thursday!