Renowned as a festival for hosting up and coming artists and beloved indie icons, St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival has once again delivered an outstanding lineup for its 15th anniversary in 2019. While it may be lacking in strong international headliners, the 2019 lineup boasts an impressive mix of artists that are set to rip their way through Australia come next January. Here are a few key insights we’ve gained from the lineup.
Photo courtesy of Charlie Hardy
Genre diversity
Although known for its diverse range of artists, Laneway has killed it this year in catering to almost each and every genre. The festival has particularly doubled down on hip-hop and R&B this year, with the likes of Denzel Curry, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Baker Boy set to be explosive acts while the soulful lyricism of Masego and Smino and rising superstars Jorja Smith and Ravyn Lenae will provide a more lowkey, albeit equally as brilliant performance.
On the electronic side of acts, fans are treated to everything from the raging sets expected from What So Not and DJDS to the ambient work of Jon Hopkins or chill electronica from Crooked Colours. And you can’t discuss Laneway without talking about the strong alternative rock acts the festival is known to attract, with smaller cult acts like Skegss and Rex Orange County set to draw huge crowds while heavyweights Parquet Courts, Methyl Ethel, Courtney Barnett and Gang of Youths are ready to unleash their distinctive rock flavour.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Young
Hidden gems:
As with any Laneway, this upcoming lineup features various artists that may not be on everyone’s radar although are expected to be in years to come. With a brilliant knack for finding the next big act, the festival has hosted the likes of Flume, Lorde, Mumford & Sons and The xx before their critical and commercial success that we all associate them with now.
With acts like Yellow Days, G Flip, Jorja Smith and Rex Orange County, this foresight from Laneway couldn’t be truer. After collaborating with both Drake and Kendrick, Jorja Smith is poised to take over the world with the release of her already adored debut ‘Teenage Fantasy’. Rex Orange County is in a similar position, with features throughout Tyler the Creator’s lauded ‘Flower Boy’ preluding his breakout summer hit ‘Loving is Easy’. With Laneway hosting many of these artists’ debut Australian performances, it is the perfect opportunity to catch several of these acts’ before your friends even know about them.
Photo courtesy of AAA Backstage
Local heroes:
Although Laneway 2018 had an abundance of international acts, particularly among the headliners, the 2019 lineup is noticeably more homegrown, with Aussie stars Courtney Barnett, Gang of Youths and What So Not arguably the acts with the most draw power. While international acts are a majority among the lower tier acts, Methyl Ethel, Skegss, Baker Boy and Middle Kids are just a few of the local artists featured on the lineup.
Although the particular Australian presence in the headliners may be off-putting to some fans who have caught them before, all three of aforementioned ‘headliners’ are coming off the back of a triumphant album and will undoubtedly steal the festival with their beloved back catalogues.
Tickets to St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2019 will go on sale 9 am (local time), Tuesday, 25 September. For more details visit here.