06 May Saturday: Who To See On the JetBlue Stage
It may be day four of SunFest as a whole, but it’s only day two at the JetBlue stage.
Headlining later tonight is singer Tori Kelly. Her music crosses genres including R&B, pop, acoustic, and rock. So it’s only fitting to get a little taste of everything leading up to her performance.
Here are some standouts you won’t want to miss:
Ocean Park Standoff
Ocean Park Standoff
This Cali-based pop band proves that a good hook can get you far.
Forming last year, Ocean Park Standoff, which features Pete Nappi, Ethan Thompson, and Samantha Ronson (sister of producer Mark Ronson) released its single “Good News” last October.
It quickly took off and even peaked at no. 15 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart.
“Good News” is a feel good, pop-rock track, that feels like Andy Grammer (a SunFest veteran) and alternative rockers The Script collaborated.
It features Thompson’s vocals crooning about needing good news to an upbeat melody with a piano riff acting as the bass line.
The group’s full-length isn’t even out yet, but if it’s anywhere as promising as the self-titled EP, you’re going to want to see these guys now.
After SunFest, Ocean Park Standoff will be touring with the Silversun Pickups over the summer.
Ocean Park Standoff performs at 2:30 p.m.
Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin
Onto the rock.
There wasn’t a day in 2006 where you couldn’t flip on a rock radio station and hear “Diary of Jane.”
These hard rockers have changed members over the years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the band’s sound. Known for distortion, searing guitar riffs and overall heaviness, Breaking Benjamin formed in the late 90′ and have since released five full length albums.
Within those albums included hits like “So Cold,” “Breath,” and “Angels Fall.” And they’re still going. Last year, the band was nominated for both Rock Song and Rock Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Needless to say, the group’s presence is a pretty big deal.
Breaking Benjamin performs at 3:45 p.m.
Rebel and a Basketcase
When Evan Rachel Wood isn’t busy acting in successful TV and film like Westworld, Thirteen, and The Wrestler, she’s singing.
Wood makes up half of Rebel and a Basketcase — an 80s-evoking pop duo — alongside fellow actor Zach Villa.
Rebel and a Basketcase
The pair has cited influences like The XX, M83, and The Eurythmics and it’s easy to see why.
The duo’s single, “Oh Yeah,” is a synth-heavy, dreamy, pop groove that’ll quickly get you dancing.
One listener on YouTube said “this rocks my glitter pants right off,” and honestly, they’re not off course. Even if you’re not wearing glitter pants, this nostalgic tune will make you feel like you are.
By the way, just in time for SunFest, Rebel and a Basketcase dropped a new music video for its latest, “Today” on Thursday.
Rebel and a Basketcase perform at 7:45 p.m.