North Texas Daily

Morgan Sullivan | Staff Writer

@sadsquadch

Positioned before most of the major festivals, Edgefest 26 will serve as a sort of crash-course into the 2016 festival season. The Edgefest lineup has a little bit of something for everyone: featuring headliners like The 1975 and Chvrches, who will both be touring the festival circuit this summer. As the fest is now pulling in major acts year after year, it’s dipping its toes into the waters of full-sized festivals and gaining national attention.

Edgefest 26 will feature 14 bands, but here are four you can’t miss:

Cage the Elephant
The Kentucky natives have played the festival before, but much has changed since the band last played in 2014. Its new album, “Tell Me I’m Pretty,” dropped in December and peaked at No. 26 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Show-goers can expect lots of high energy from vocalist Matt Schultz, who is notorious for getting up close and personal with the crowd. Also anticipated is a mix of old hits and new, including “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” from its 2013 album “Melophobia,” and “Mess Around” from their latest release.

The 1975
The band dropped its latest album, “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It,” last month. In a complete change of sound, festival attendees will be treated to a whimsical performance reminiscent of the ‘80s. Front-man Matt Healy struts the stage with a head full of bouncy curls, cigarettes and usually a bottle of red wine. The band typically has a live performance hard to match – from lighting, to stage design, band charisma and most importantly, the sound is pristine.

The 1975 vocalist Matty Healy performs at South Side Music Hall. Meagan Sullivan | Visuals Editor

Bastille
The UK band also played the festival in 2014, but is back after a few years and a new-ish release from summer 2014. Attendees will be able to sing along to all of the band’s hits, like “Bad Blood” and “Pompeii.” The band’s electronic feel will allow crowds to jump around and have a good time, while singer Dan Smith commandeers attention. What the band might lack in charisma (simply because of the somewhat slow nature of songs), they make up with sound quality.

Chvrches
Scottish electronic band Chvrches is now basically a festival staple. Featured on nearly every major festival lineup this year, the band knows how to work a crowd. A festival experience isn’t complete without seeing Chvrches. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry is perhaps one of the cutest humans to ever exist, which doesn’t hurt. Formed in 2011, the band has risen to a level of popularity in a short amount of time, landing on BBC’s Sound of 2013 list of the most promising new music. The band’s upbeat songs will keep attendees dancing even in the April heat.

Featured Image: Chvrches singer Lauren Mayberry performs at the MTV Woodies 10 for 16 at SXSW. Meagan Sullivan | Visuals Editor