TANK AND THE BANGAS Protest showcase, May 31, 5 p.m.
Emerge 2019
- Singer-songwriter Andrew Bird prepares to get ‘brave’ at Emerge
- Parkland survivor-activists Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg are trying to stem the gun-violence tide
- Seven acts to circle in your Emerge festival planner
- Big Freedia—the self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Bounce’—brings her infectious energy to Emerge
- The Emerge fest corrals its ideas and ambitions within four relatable themes
You shouldn’t need us to tell you to catch Killers frontman Brandon Flowers or Black Star rapper Talib Kweli at this Day 1 session, so let’s focus on this uplifting, funky New Orleans crew. Leader Tarriona “Tank” Ball and her mates know how to start a party—and say something meaningful while they’re doing it.
LADIES OF LCD SOUNDSYSTEM Hope X Human showcase, May 31, 9 p.m.
Gavin Rayna Russom and Nancy Whang, synth players in electronic rock darling LCD Soundsystem, began touring in tandem—and with purpose—last year, spotlighting female and nonbinary local openers and donating proceeds to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).
CULTURE ABUSE New Artist Showcase, May 31, 10 p.m.
This Strokes-y, Weezer-ish Bay Area quintet, which released latest album Bay Dream on Epitaph Records last year, could emerge (get it?) from the weekend as your favorite new discovery. This Friday showcase, featuring six up-and-coming acts, is the perfect place to find out.
KAITLYN AURELIA SMITH Self & Sex showcase, June 1, 10 a.m.
The classically trained, LA-based electronic musician works in and around the ambient realm, creating lush soundscapes with her synthesizer and voice on critically acclaimed albums like Ears (2016) and The Kid (2017) and her hypnotic January release, Tides: Music for Meditation and Yoga.
BEDOUINE Women, Wellness & Reclamation showcase, June 1, 1:30 p.m.
“There is something so comforting about these songs—it’s like tuning into a lost radio station from the ’70s—rich in nostalgia, innocence and the warmth of old analog instruments,” The Guardian wrote of Syrian-born, LA-based singer-songwriter Azniv Korkejian, who opened Las Vegans’ eyes and ears while opening for Fleet Foxes at the Cosmopolitan in 2017.
LAURA JANE GRACE Brave showcase, June 1, 6:30 p.m.
The frontwoman for punk rock favorites Against Me!, debuted a new project with November LP Bought to Rot, credited to Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers. Grace, who publicly came out as transgender in 2012, will perform music and speak as part of Emerge's Saturday Brave session.
CHERRY GLAZERR Depressed Monsters showcase, June 1, 9:30 p.m.
Rock ain’t dead, as this LA trio—fronted by founder Clementine Creevy—demonstrates on its grunge-y 2019 LP Stuffed & Ready. Close out your Emerge experience air-guitaring like it’s 1995.
EMERGE May 31 & June 1, times vary, $199/weekend, $130/day, $25-$55/show. Hard Rock Hotel, emergelv.com.
