Photograph Courtesy of Nerthuz/Shutterstock.com
With headliners like Fall Out Boy, Greta Van Fleet, and The 1975, who could resist spending their weekend at Bunbury Music Festival? But, before these billboard names take over the Monster Energy Main Stage each night at 9:45 p.m., lesser-known artists will bring their passion for performing to the CVG River Stage, Sawyer Point Stage, and the Metro by T-Mobile Acoustic Stage. We’ve picked our top five acts worth showing up early for.
The Orphan The Poet
Takes the Stage: May 31 at 1:30 p.m.
Based in Columbus, Ohio, The Orphan The Poet kicks off its summer tour by opening Bunbury at the Sawyer Point Stage. The three-piece band creates the perfect blend of alternative pop. The band’s 2016 single, “Terrible Things” generated over a million listens on Spotify and its unconventional music video for “Still Buzzin’” (picture its frontman covered from the neck up in live bees) still has both the Columbus and Cincinnati music scenes buzzing.
Poppy
Takes the Stage: May 31 at 3:30 p.m.
Whether Poppy should be classified as a Youtuber or musician (or both, perhaps?) is still up for debate within the media industry. Regardless, she is an artist not to be missed this weekend. Four years ago, Poppy’s popularity skyrocketed when she posted a video titled “I’m Poppy.” in which she repeats that phrase in different tones for 10 minutes. It was equal parts strange and intriguing. Since then, the mystery has remained and still, no one can seem to pinpoint exactly how to describe Poppy and the unique quirks she adds to typical bubblegum pop. Watch her performance and try to categorize it for yourself at the Monster Energy Main Stage.
90’s Kids
Takes the Stage: June 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Also from Columbus, 90’s Kids is still relatively new to the industry (at just two years old). But, that hasn’t stopped the group from accumulating over 16,000 Spotify monthly listeners and hitting milestones along the way (playing Bunbury counts, right?). 90’s Kids will kick off the second day of Bunbury with its nostalgic synth-pop on the Sawyer Point Stage.
Lauren Sanderson
Takes the Stage: June 2 at 3 p.m.
An R&B/Soul artist from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lauren Sanderson initially gained her following as a Twitter personality working to make it in the music industry. Since then, she has released a full-length album, an EP, and nearly a dozen singles—while also becoming a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ music scene. Her following has grown to over 14,000 and her 2018 single, “Written In The Stars,” has over 2 million listens on Spotify (don’t underestimate the power of a strong Internet following). Sanderson’s performance on the CVG River Stage will be one not to miss.
Triiibe
Takes the Stage: June 2 at 3 p.m.
Cincinnati locals will help close out Bunbury weekend on the Sawyer Point Stage. Triiibe (a True Representation of Intellectual Individuals Invoking Blvck Excellence) blends R&B, funk, and soul music with spoken word poetry and urban cultural activism. Songs like “You Can’t Stop the Movement” and “Green Thumb” have collectively earned Triiibe over five thousand streams on Spotify. The band’s set at Bunbury proves what we already knew: Triiibe is continuing to grow rapidly and has no plans to slow down any time soon.
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