With 2018 Kaaboo Del Mar looming (check out the Sept. 14-16 daily lineups here), we’ve decided to highlight a few local acts that deserve to play next year’s fest. They’re all great in their own way, bring something different to the table, have never played the festival before -- and can more than hold their own when put up opposite headliners. Of course, they aren’t the only deserving locals in town so if you think of a band you’d like to see at Kaaboo, let us know in the comments! (Listed in alphabetical order -- and with recommendations for fans of past and present Kaaboo performers!)
Dani Bell & the Tarantist: Led by the gloriously campy Bell, these masked indie-pop/rock marauders would add a little mystique (and some seriously great tunes) to the fest. Highly recommended. For fans of: Spoon, the Struts, the Zombies, Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters, Blondie.
Lead Pony: Kaaboo’s got a thing for blues-rock revivalism and few acts do it better in San Diego than the ferocious, smoky Lead Pony (fka Spero). They’ll fit right in. For fans of: The Stone Foxes, Little Hurricane, the Last Internationale, the Shelters.
Mittens: This band’s penchant for fun, grunge-inspired power-pop would more than appeal to all those ‘90s-rock music lovers that flock to the festival to see yesteryear favorites. Did we mention they’re fun? For fans of: Weezer, Garbage, Stone Temple Pilots, Better Than Ezra.
The Parker Meridien: With the Del Mar festival hitting up more and more rap stars these days (this year’s lineup features Post Malone, Gucci Mane, Nelly and Wiz Khalifa among others), it’s time for Kaaboo organizers to land one of San Diego’s premier hip-hop groups, the Parker Meridien. Bonus, they pump out some serious rock grooves, too. For fans of: N.E.R.D., the Roots, Big Boi, Cypress Hill.
Sights and Sages: While we’re busy waiting for this group’s forthcoming sophomore album, we’d like to recommend them here. This indie-rock band has been delving more and more into synth-laden pop territory and from what we’ve heard, it’s absolutely stunning. Book ‘em! For fans of: Atlas Genius, Bebe Rehxa, Foster the People, the Killers.
Twin Ritual: Where do we begin? After their performance at our July SoundDiego LIVE party, we had several folks coming up to us exclaiming how great this new wave, electro-pop group is. Let’s just say more than one comparison to Blondie was mentioned and we can't think of higher (or more fitting) praise. For fans of: Blondie, Neon Trees, Echosmith, LANY.
Within: Formerly known as Todo Mundo, this world-music band has knack for delivering all those infectious feel-good vibes that San Diego festivals are obsessed with -- and with good reason: who doesn’t love a good time? They’d be a perfect fit alongside some of the fest’s biggest attractions. For fans of: Ozomatli, Slightly Stoopid, Tribal Seeds, Michael Franti & Spearhead.
Here are a few of our other lists:
